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.

ToBankOrNotToBank:
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.

notthehospitalER - Investment Banking Analyst:
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:

SSits - Risk Management Senior Vice President:
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…

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Best Response

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?

 
Funniest

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.

 
laxn103:
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.

 

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.

Deppster
 
laxn103:

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.

Omg got a good laugh outta this one while reading on the train.

 

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.

 

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.

Move like lions do.
 

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.

 

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.

Those who can, do. Those who can't, post threads about how to do it on WSO.
 

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