QUESTION TIME~!

[candyland]

I was talking with my parents about interviewing. FYI, my dad is a warehouse manager, so he does interviews and hiring for his warehouse, and my mom is a Human Resources manager, so she does interviewing and hiring where she works. And both my parents said that it is acceptable to go into an interview with a notecard or a piece of paper with some questions written on it. To use Mom's words, "It shows that they give a shit."

When I mentioned this to a friend, she said that if she were interviewing, she would not think highly of someone who did that--that you should memorize the questions first, and not bring anything written like that into an interview.

I realize that every situation is different, but as a general rule: what do you guys think?


ETA: I'm not sure if I was being clear, but the notecard would have written on it questions that the interviewee wanted to ask the interviewer when it came to the "Do you have any questions?" point in the interview, so as not to forget anything in the case of nerves. Something that sits in your pocket until it gets to that point, at which point you pull it out and ask your questions of your prospective employer.

And I'm not really talking about academia, which everyone keeps bringing up @_@

Comments

[sn1987a.livejournal.com]

I'm in academia, so I'm not sure how it'd apply to industry etc., but having a paper as cue seems a bit unprofessional to me. On the other hand, while I avoid carrying papers, I also don't think I'd think lowly of the people who do. Most likely, it wouldn't even cross my mind that the person is using a paper. It's hardly the focus.

[clovereyes.livejournal.com]

I think a notecard is perfect and there shouldn't be any shame of bringing one.
Yes, as your mother said it shows they give a shit but it also shows that they are organized. The more they know you want it, the better.

[fyliwionvilyaer.livejournal.com]

Yeah... personally I wouldn't be one to bring in a notecard, etc... and from theatre perspective... I might actually raise an eyebrow at someone who does. From the more academia side of what I'm going into, or the design/technological field... I still don't know that I would bring in a notecard/paper-- I think the chances of looking at that verses the interviewer would be high, and yeah... it would likely seem slightly unprofessional (or at least new into the field). Especially since it seems like a lot of the questions would be pertaining to things concerning you, past work experiances, situations etc... in which case I would wonder at the notecard/paper since that raises questions in if they can't answer questions about themselves without help... what about others?

That being said I can't blame anyone for using one... my nerves are TERRIBLE in interview and audition situations. And past interviews have been terrible with me... But yeah ^^;;

[candy--chan.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm not really talking about academia ^^;; But I'm going to prod for elaboration: why would it seem unprofessional for a person to have a paper with questions that they want to ask the interviewer?

[candy--chan.livejournal.com]

That's...kind of what I think ^^;; But I'm trying to see why other people would think otherwise.

[candy--chan.livejournal.com]

I'm going to ask the same question I asked above: why?

And I'm more saying that you have a card in your pocket or bag with your questions for the interviewer written on it, and when the interviewer says "Do you have any questions?" you pull it out and say "Yes, I do." It's not a reference for things about the interviewee--I'm referring to questions they want to ask of their prospective employer.

Given the answers I'm getting, I don't think I was clear on the question... *ETA's the original post*

[sn1987a.livejournal.com]

If you have questions, why do you need a prepared prompt? To a certain extent, it seems...fake, for the lack of a better word. :/ Besides, questions might change depending on the situation.

[sn1987a.livejournal.com]

Also, the effect is the same whether you ask with a prompt or without a prompt: You have questions... unless you want to explicitly show that you did your homework beforehand, which isn't really necessary, since whether you did or not will be evident during the interview from what you know/not know. Why appear so rigid? Asking questions without a prompt could give the impression that you actually paid attention to the interviewer, as opposed to "It doesn't matter what you said before, as I have these written questions I want answered."

[gracie-musica.livejournal.com]

*brings up academia* ;)

Sorry to say this, but to put it bluntly? Your friend doesn't know what they're talking about. Kids today.

I had to take a jobs class last semester. Having a list of prepared questions is TOTALLY okay. In fact, it's recommended: While having your questions memorized is all right, having a list there to not only check off but to write down the answers is even better because you might forget something, you have the answers to look over so you're not asking again and again in the second interview. Or, to quote your mother, it shows you give a shit. Go Mom!

On a non-school note, when I applied for my current job (at a restaurant), I was eating and had a doddle pad to write in. I got interviewed the second I handed my application over and wrote a brief outline on my notepad of what was expected of me through the job, used it to reference questions from, et cetera. He later told me that using a notepad was refreshing to see someone acting like a professional because most people who come in for interviews in their school uniforms and just want to know about paid vacation.

TL;DR version: YES TO NOTECARD. It makes you look professional. And if someone doesn't like you using a notecard, do you want to work for a company that isn't that professional?

[candy--chan.livejournal.com]

How so? I'm not trying to be contrary, but I'm afraid I don't see how it makes you look fake if you are visibly prepared. And yes, questioning may change based on the situation, but it gives you a starting point.

[candy--chan.livejournal.com]

Asking questions without a prompt could give the impression that you actually paid attention to the interviewer, as opposed to "It doesn't matter what you said before, as I have these written questions I want answered."

I'm really trying to understand, but...that just doesn't make sense to me. Why are you restricted solely to the questions on the card? You have some questions prepared as a starting point. They stay tucked away until the proper time (which also removes the rigidity and the lack of paying attention, if the card is in your pocket), and more questions are probably coming to you as you go. Nothing says that you're absolutely restricted only to what you have prepared beforehand.

And when I was interviewing for my first teaching position, I did my homework. But the school site only tells you so much, and there's generally a lot more you want to know. So whether or not you actually did your homework isn't always evident in an interview because it can depend entirely on how much information is actually available.

*l-loves debate*

[sn1987a.livejournal.com]

It makes you look like you need to rely on something other than your brain... Who's to say that you prepared those questions yourself?

'Course, there's no "right" way to do things. So do what you think is comfortable.

[sn1987a.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but if it's just a few questions as a starting point, why not put in a little bit more effort to remember them? Chances are, if you can come up with them for the notecard, you can recall them when you're there without external help.

No, I understand the need to ask questions. I was interviewing grad schools just a week ago. At first, I was nervous and contemplated if it'd look weird if I prepared a notebook with questions. But the thing is, questions come naturally if you really have them when you're there... For me, at least. And usually, the interviewer would say, "Let me know if anything comes up" when you're out of questions.

Ahaha. I'm actually not a big debater. :P

[raerae639.livejournal.com]

I don't see anything wrong with bring note cards into a interviewee. If you do get nerves you may forget something you want to ask. I say go for it! Plus it would make you look good and that you do want the job also!
Good lucky!!!