Bringing a notepad to write during an interview (average, career, paid)

[Roman77]

I always have a notepad, but as a matter of courtesy I ask the interviewer if it's OK to write down notes. I've never been told no.....

[fishbrains]

A notepad is perfectly acceptable.

I have used one to keep a short list of questions to ask the HM, as the interview goes along I will jot down the occasional point form note to remind myself of topics to address more thoroughly later in the interview.

[MSchemist80]

You should have a notepad at an interview. It shows you are paying attention and taking it seriously.

[FBJ]

Originally Posted by Kevin0023

What is the protocol for bringing with you a nice notepad to jot notes. For me, it is not necessarily to jot down notes as I don't want the employer to think I am not paying full attention to them. I also think it is a bit disrespectful while they are talking to you. I want it to make sure I remember all of the questions I have to ask at the end of the interview. I have been to a couple of interviews where I have a notepad in front of me but never open it. When they ask me if I have any questions, I tell them that I have several questions, would you mind? I ask this as I am looking at my notepad obviously asking them if it is ok to open it. I am not writing the answers. What do you think.

I think it's unnecessary since the interview is all about evaluating your personality which means conversation not writing.

[Just_the_facts]

Originally Posted by WestPhillyDude75

I think it's unnecessary since the interview is all about evaluating your personality which means conversation not writing.

What if the interviewer tells you some information during the interview that is important to remember such as when and where the second interview will occur or something that the interviewer wants to follow up with? If you don;t write this info don;t you may misremember and lose the job as a result.

[FBJ]

Originally Posted by Just_the_facts

What if the interviewer tells you some information during the interview that is important to remember such as when and where the second interview will occur or something that the interviewer wants to follow up with? If you don;t write this info don;t you may misremember and lose the job as a result.

I think my memory would be good enough to remember those types of details. Taking out a notepad will make the interviewer uncomfortable which is why I don't recommend it

[wargamer6]

I've always brought a small notebook & folder with me on interviews.

[manderly6]

Originally Posted by WestPhillyDude75

Taking out a notepad will make the interviewer uncomfortable which is why I don't recommend it

How did you come to this conclusion? As someone who interviews people and know many others that do I would say that is pretty much never the case.

[wargamer6]

Originally Posted by manderly6

How did you come to this conclusion? As someone who interviews people and know many others that do I would say that is pretty much never the case.

He tried to sketch his interviewers and ended up skeeving them out.

[allie_0408]

I think it's good to be equipped with a notepad. I bring one because it usually has my notes on the company and some questions I might want to ask (since I easily forget things like those). But when I want to take notes I make sure to ask the interviewer if it's okay.