interview etiquette

[jMoo]

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i was wondering..during an interview, is it rude to open a professional folder when i ask questions to write down answers or should i just have the questions memorized prior to interviewing? thanks.

 

[StephanieOD2B]

I'm no expert, but I personally think it would be quite awkward, and yes, a little rude, to open a folder during the interview- especially to ask questions. If you really want to know the answers- you will remember them, I would think. If you referred to a folder, the interviewers might wonder if you can't remember a couple questions, how are you ever going to remember the 12 cranial nerves or the symptoms of common ocular maladies. If I were you, I think I would just try to remember the questions.

 

[4Eyes]

I brought a small notebook to take notes (in case I was told anything really useful during the interview), but it was of no use to me whatsoever, and I kind of felt silly for bringing it. Having it didn't hurt me, though.

 

[doonzey]

I did take a notebook with me to my interviews. It was a leather portfolio type. Before going to each school i went on the website and wrote down a few questions that i got or things that interested me. When it came time for questions i pulled it out and said "oh yea i did have a few questions from when i was on the website, or researched your school.." Ive gotten in to two of the three schools i have interviewed with and the third im pending, so my guess is they didn't find it rude at all and i always had paper with me that way to i could write stuff down just in case, like the prof's e mail address when i asked for it etc. i saw it as being prepared since they all know how nervous we are the day of interviews and it sbetter to write down questions then not ask any at all

 

[jMoo]

yea..i have a portfolio type too to carry like extra stuff coz i did that for my graduate school interviews but it was a lot more casual like with tables in a mtg rm. i guess its not that i cant remember the questions but more the inquiry of whether it looks more or less professional. thanks for the feedback.

 

[Eye-Spy]

I don't think it's a big deal at all to have a couple of questions written down somewhere and refer to them during the interview. If anything it looks like you've but some thought into what you want to ask. As long as the folder that you carry looks professional, I say all is good.

That said, it's really not a good idea to write down your interviewer's responses to your questions. It's important to be an active listener, and if you are writing down everything the interviewer says you won't be able to maintain eye contact, or respond as well to what is being said.

I hope all goes well with everyone's interveiws!!! 🙂

 

[prettygreeneyes]

If you referred to a folder, the interviewers might wonder if you can't remember a couple questions, how are you ever going to remember the 12 cranial nerves or the symptoms of common ocular maladies.

Wait... there are 12 Cranial Nerves??? Oh...

😉😀

 

[iiiimonica]

I'm no expert, but I personally think it would be quite awkward, and yes, a little rude, to open a folder during the interview- especially to ask questions. If you really want to know the answers- you will remember them, I would think. If you referred to a folder, the interviewers might wonder if you can't remember a couple questions, how are you ever going to remember the 12 cranial nerves or the symptoms of common ocular maladies. If I were you, I think I would just try to remember the questions.

remebering anything takes repetition and understanding, since you're not going to sit there and repeat over and over what the interview said - writing it down is not a sign of weakness.

i took a nice porftlio thingy with me and wrote down what i was really interested in (i always asked if the interviewer minded if i took notes - no one said anything one way or the other). i asked my questions and wrote down their answers and that was that. it was not rude or akward, i did not look like i couldn't handle memorizing the info, it looked like i was intersted in what the interviewrs said to me.

i did this for 5/6 interviews i went on (fall 04) and i was accepted to all the schools i applied to. so bring that pad of paper and don't be afraid to take notes - if you really are intersted in what the interview says to you.

good luck!

 

[calibruin1]

I've brought a portfolio to several interviews now and it's not a big deal to pull questions out of there. If anything, the interviewers seem to get excited that you have questions prepared and are organized, so I don't think this is a problem.