jaytc2003

iTrader: (1)

To all the people who interview people on a regular basis.

Would you say its okay if the interviewee had any questions written down or would you say it was unprofessional?


I have an interview this afternoon for a management position (currently a manager but earned promotion within so didnt need an interview as I knew the job and they knew me etc) and have quite a number of questions so I am wondering whether or not to take them written down so I dont forget!!

I have myself interviewed people previously but not management interviews and some people have had notes with them and I didnt look upon that in any kind of negative way. Just wondering if that is the general consensus.

Do any of you who have interviews take in written notes etc?

Any feedback appreciated

DCI Gene Hunt

Yes you should always take notes in, although never look like you're reading from a script... just glance now and again....

Are you giving a competency based interview, and do you know the difference between open and closed questioning?

HankScorpio

Absolutely have notes, wise to take notes too, if someone comes at you with discrimination allegation later, you can show responses and why they weren't right for the post.
Obviously don't scribble "what a *****" at the top of the page.

davegtt

Written notes show that youve thought about it and did something productive. The company are more likely to look at you and think you dont store things in your head which alot of companies hate.

jaytc2003

iTrader: (1)

It will be a mix as the position is a new contract that we have won, and information on the contract itself is not actually in the public domain.

(I currently do contract logistics, and this position is within the main company group but a totally different division, so they are aware of my current job and competencies etc)

I know the difference between the open and closed.

Closed is short and sweet, open is detail (thats how I have always though about it anyway)

DCI Gene Hunt

That's spot on open is "how did you, why did you, what did you" forcing a descriptive response which draws out the competencies and closed is "have you, did you, etc" forcing a yes or no response which can be useful to close a line of questioning down.

As a rule it should be 80/20 with the interviewer speaking only for 20% of the time.

wagrain

Doesn't matter if you are the interviewer or interviewee I would ALWAYS take in notes to refer to.

Matteeboy

If an interviewee comes in without notes, I assume they are a bit cocky and unprofessional.

Good luck!

jaytc2003

iTrader: (1)

cheers guys, any more tips though keep them coming I have been calm up to now but I am currently bricking it!!

HankScorpio

Another good technique that can exploit body language and the way the brain works:

Ask a mix of "knowledge questions" (where the answer should come straight - horrid weather isn't it - they *know* the weather is horrid) and "thinking questions" (where they need to think about a response - how was the journey? - they have to think how the journey was) at the start and establish what mannerisms they do for each, one might be a tilt of the head to the left, the other might be a glance over your shoulder.

Then when you get in the meaty questions, you get an indication if they're thinking about stuff they should know or vice versa.

David Lock

Get the basics right to start with. "unproffesional" should be "unprofessional"

You are the interviewee, not the interviewer.

Yes take notes in. I would suggest a neat buff folder which includes the job description, your CV, perhaps some references and your typed out notes on questions you may have. Glance at these and towards the end on the interview look through them to see that all the questions have been answered. Be prepared for the usual guff about personal ambitions, why do you want this role etc. Good luck. dl

jaytc2003

iTrader: (1)

Cheers DL
I was sort of posting it through dual eyes . Must get my dyslexic kb fixed

HankScorpio

That's not how I read the initial one (hence my responses!) but on re-reading - interviewee

One of my faves:
When was the last time you were truly angry in the workplace? Why were you angry? What did you do about it? How was the situation resolved?

Good response is not:
This morning, someone helped themselves to my milk, I spat in everybody elses and crapped in the kettle.

EddScott

The best technique ever

YouTube - Spuds interview (English)

jaytc2003

iTrader: (1)

funny thing is that could be something that is asked as the job involves working in a high security prison

(dont think my answers would be the same though!)

Matteeboy

Following on from Hank - mirroring body language is a great way to get on with someone. Not obviously but very subtly.

I think honesty goes a million miles too. Sure you know your stuff but if a question comes up that stumps you, just say "I'm sorry, I'm not sure about that but I will find out."

I usually try and "close" an interview (and have had the same done when interviewing) by asking "so am I the sort of candidate you are looking for?" or similar.

billythekid

"FIVE FOUR THREE TWO ONE ZERO"

David Lock

I forgot to mention.......

A personal e-mail to the interviewer after the interview won't do any harm.

Just to say thanks for the opportunity, remain very keen on the position etc etc. Nothing too smarmy just short and professional.

dl

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And if you use reading glasses don't forget to take them with you. Not like me who forgot once and had to pretend that I could actually read my own notes which were just a blur in front of me

HankScorpio

Unless you're super cool, don't try to drop the word "Specificity" into a sentence.

jaytc2003

iTrader: (1)

One of the interviewers from HR was a rather tasty blonde, sure she was giving me the eye

=========

So "hi love thanks for seeing me, do you fancy a drink?" is out of the question then


im only youngish

jaytc2003

iTrader: (1)

interview went very well guys,thanks for some tips etc

Will find out by the end of next week but I got the impression they were keen on me (hr woman was anyway!! )

Matteeboy

Errrmmm - groping the HR bird is considered a bit off in most interviews...

jaytc2003

iTrader: (1)

would be to my wife as well