Interview Etiquette - Bottle of Water, Suit Jacket, and Notes
What's the interview etiquette on bringing a bottle of water into an interview? Is it ok to take a sip or would that be considered a professional faux pas? What about taking your jacket off, etc.
Can I Bring Water To My Interview?
For a super day level interview, if you would like to have water - bring it and sit it outside of your interview room. You can then take a swig as you walk between interview rooms. If you are worried about this looking odd then you can simply forgo bringing water. Don't bring it into the room with you unless it is in your bag and don't drink it during the interview itself.
Can I Take My Suit Jacket Off During the Interview?
Our users shared that you can remove your outdoors coat but not your suit jacket. That is considered inappropriate.
Do you mean the suit jacket? Because no, don't take that off. If you mean like a coat or something when it's cold out, yes.
Should I Take Notes in an Interview?
Candidates should bring something to write notes on but should avoid taking any notes. Once you leave the room you should write down some details about your interviewer that you can touch on in your thank you notes. A good way to bring paper in a classy way is to bring a padfolio.
I don't take notes - or very, very rarely do. If I write something down it's either a) interviewer names (on a second page of paper that they can't see, after the interview only) or b) writing down relevant info to figure out the answer to a technical (eg accounting, brainteaser) question.
User @SSits", a risk management senior vice president, shared the perspective of an interviewer:
When I introduce myself to candidates, I give them some of my background. If they have to take notes and can't remember that little detail (or pretend to), no chance they are going to remember the simple stuff when they are in front of a client or someone else. So the message sent by taking notes at that point is negative.Most of an interview is me asking questions, the candidate giving me information. No point them taking notes for that.
I normally give candidates 5 minutes at the end to ask me questions. Fine if they take a few notes here, but I'd be surprised if they spent their time with eyes fixed on their notes. I'd be more impressed if they took no notes or only jotted a few things at best. I know they've only brought the note pad to show they are keen and, if they resist the urge to demonstrate how keen by taking notes (ie they don't get caught up in the whole kid show act), that demonstrates some maturity and common sense.
tl;dr version - bring a notepad and pen with you, but don't bother taking notes.
You can see an example of a padfolio below.
Source: https://www.amazon.com/STYLIO-Padfolio-Resume-Portfolio-Folder/dp/B01FD…
Read More About Interviews on WSO
- How Long Does It Take To Hear Back From A Superday Interview?
- UG Recruiting Part III: The Super Day And Offer
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Do you mean the suit jacket? Because no, don't take that off. If you mean like a coat or something when it's cold out, yes. As far as water, every interview I've had I've been offered water though I've wondered about this. On a related note...what else do you take with you. I've heard conflicting advice as far as you should take just a professional looking portfolio or a business case/professional bag, or nothing, etc. Also is it better to just sit and look attentive or should you pull out a pad of paper or portfolio and take notes? I've actually heard both from my career center. I've been taking just a portfolio with extra resumes and paper in the event I'd need to jot something down.
I have always been offered a drink at interviews as well. Don't bring a bottle of water with you, it isn't a big deal or any thing, but I think it looks weird.
I've been asked if I wanted to take my jacket off before, but I never took it off (except when I thought the female interviewer would hire me because of my sexy upperbody). If it is really hot out, that means I'm sweating, and I wouldn't want them to see my wet shirt.
I always take a portfolio that has at least 5 (usually 10) resumes and other related material materials(don't ask). Interestingly, I carry my portfolio with a business bag! It just makes sense doesn't it?
Its ok to bring a water bottle, but make sure as you bring it up to your lips your elbow is such that it doesnt point at the person, this could be insulting. And make sure you put your bottom lip out first, then the top and dont stick your tongue in the bottle whatever you do! Also, dont put the cap back on after a sip, this is to be done after the interview. Make sure you put the bottle down after the sip and onto some kind of surface, do not spill it. I have learned this techniques from the Career advisory department at my school.
hilarious.
laxn103... You must have attended one silly Charm School. Beats the heck out of Finance & Accounting, though.
This is too funny. Seriously, your school is stupid. Better off investing in more accounting and finance courses.
Don't bring your own PVC-free water bottle to a meeting. It looks stupid.
Geez. They teach nutty things to kids nowadays.
Holy revival post dude. The guy who started this thread is probably your fuckin MD by now.
Omg got a good laugh outta this one while reading on the train.
LOL
Now there's an idea. Recruiters always talk about differentiating yourself and being at ease during an interview...I think a beer helmet accomplishes both. They'll never forget you either: "Remember when we interviewed XX XXX? Yea you know, the idiot with the beer helmet"
just drink the water before and then leave the bottle outside, you arent going to be giving a speech for 45 minutes and dry your mouth out til you cant talk. and if you are thirsty...deal with it? personally i cant drink water before hand or ill feel like i need to piss in the middle of the interview.
I think a lot of people suffer from crazy dry mouth during interviews...a combination of some nervousness and talking a lot (hopefully not from a hangover though). Plus having water there is kind of relaxing to occassionally pick up and take a sip for me.
Delete
Jesus Christ.
Never bring your own water bottle, you doofus.
BRING RESUMES, and print them out on thick ass paper - like 28lb laser white, not 20, not 32...you want the 28lb shit. And don't keep them in your pocket either - judging from the jacket question, you'll probably end up handing them a sweaty wad of paper.
Internship Etiquette (Originally Posted: 07/19/2009)
Hey guys, I am a rising sophomore and I have a question about properly attaining an IB internship for the Fall. A couple of months ago, I had the opportunity to visit a BB and a boutique to network with alumni. The boutique is small with only two analysts. Even though its a long shot for the boutique, would it be okay to flat out email the alumni (who happens to be the CEO) and simply ask for an interview for an internship?
Thanks in advance.
I wouldn't directly ask the CEO for an interview. Instead when you’re talking to him indirectly talk about the internship opportunity by asking good questions related to the internship. He'll most likely figure out you're interested in interning.
Interview Etiquette - Appropriate to ask HR for old investor presentations? (Originally Posted: 10/11/2011)
Have a PE / HF interview coming up but there isn't a lot of public information on the fund
Would it be appropriate to ask HR for some old investor presentation / marketing materials to familiarize myself with the firm?
First check in large pension funds' records... they are required to post performance etc. and a lot of that stuff is publicly available online.
Twist some people's arms who have Prequin or similar access?
Is it a big shop? Sometimes there are b-school case studies out there.
PM me if you need more advice.
I have access to prequin if you'd like me to look it up for you. Just PM me.
Awesome, thanks guys. Brovechkin -- I'll PM you
Interview Etiquette - Do you take notes when the interviewer talks? (Originally Posted: 12/14/2014)
Guys just curious on the topic above. Basically, when your interviewer is first introducing him/herself / telling his/her story do you take notes? If so, do you maintain eye contact and not look down at the page (I feel like this could be creepy from their perspective)? Do you not take notes at all and just maintain eye contact and nod along? I've always wondered how everyone goes about this.
Thanks.
P.S. Not sure if this belongs somewhere else. Please repost in correct forum if it does.
I don't take notes - or very, very rarely do. If I write something down it's either a) interviewer names (on a second page of paper that they can't see, after the interview only) or b) writing down relevant info to figure out the answer to a technical (eg accounting, brainteaser) question.
Unless the interview was in lecture mode and there is obviously a lot of information he/she intends you to remember, such as a technical question, I would not write down anything. It is a good habit when you're on the job so you don't forget anything and never have to ask the same question twice, but maintain contact, be responsive, and show that you are a good listener.
Personally, if I interviewed a kid that kept writing down everything I said, I'd think he/she is a huge nerd and can't put the pen down for 20 minutes to just carry a solid conversation.
When I introduce myself to candidates, I give them some of my background. If they have to take notes and can't remember that little detail (or pretend to), no chance they are going to remember the simple stuff when they are in front of a client or someone else. So the message sent by taking notes at that point is negative.
Most of an interview is me asking questions, the candidate giving me information. No point them taking notes for that.
I normally give candidates 5 minutes at the end to ask me questions. Fine if they take a few notes here, but I'd be surprised if they spent their time with eyes fixed on their notes. I'd be more impressed if they took no notes or only jotted a few things at best. I know they've only brought the note pad to show they are keen and, if they resist the urge to demonstrate how keen by taking notes (ie they don't get caught up in the whole kid show act), that demonstrates some maturity and common sense.
tl;dr version - bring a notepad and pen with you, but don't bother taking notes.
Personally I wouldn't take notes in a typical interview, and in fact I never even took a pen and notepad to interviews. If there are technical questions where you need to write stuff down, in my experience the interviewer is always going to have paper + pen there for you.
you definitely took a lot of notes in the tags box..
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