Is it bad to go into an interview with notes?

I have a one pager of points/questions I'd like to hit on, but I don't want to look over the top.

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Don’t sweat it. But if you feel self conscious about it, just turn it into a joke. “I’m going to be weird and pull out a notepad because of who I am as a person"

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I do that all the time for questions I have and they're always impressed.

likehelpful

It looks prepared and professional. Not a bad thing at all.

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I think it’s good to go into an interview with notes but I also think it’s good to be open to letting the conversation develop naturally. Ask questions when they fit naturally into the conversation and don’t try to steer too much unless the convo isn’t actually going anywhere. There’s usually time towards the end to ask any remaining questions and then you can look at your notes to see what you want to ask. Try asking what is most important first and don’t try to just fit it all in. Every interview I’ve gone on they always give me their info to reach out if I have more questions. (I’ve been interviewing a lot recently so it’s all fresh.)

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As an interviewer I prefer it - shows me the person has done some homework and is looking to interview the org they’re talking to

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I keep them on the top page of my padfolio

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I usually refer to notes at the end, when they say “anything else you want to share with me that you haven’t?” There’s nothing worse than realizing after you’ve left that you forgot to share something you really cared about or ask an important question

likehelpful

I always have notes. A few points about what I’ve learned about the company that are woven into some questions; smart questions often show you in a more positive light than smart answers.

“Never show up to a meeting without a pen and a notebook.”
- our CCO

I usually ask if it's alright if I *take* notes during an interview. No one's ever said no but I did once have a CD jokingly call my out for "copious note-taking". Guess the overall is to pay more attention to the person than your notepad

i go in with a few questions listed out and it’s always impressed the people I’m being interviewed by (they usually make a joke about feeling nervous - LOL)

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