Take a notebook or something else for interview?

I'll preface this by saying it may sound silly, but it's the first time I'll be going to a strategy consulting interview. I've been practicing case studies and scribbling notes and frameworks in a notebook. When I go to the actual interview though, should I be using something other than a notebook to write down my thoughts, calculations, etc.? Few sheets of computer paper? Not sure, heh.

I presume an interviewer won't care, but I just wanted to be sure.

Thanks.

4 Comments
 
Best Response

Notebook paper should be fine -- as long as its neat and not crumpled -- you don't want to make a bad impression.

I personally used two sheets of graph paper in the horizontal, landscape format. One sheet that remained in the graph paper notebook, the other I tore out (neatly)... I used one for notes/structure, the other for calculations. The key point is to use the same set-up you used to practice. Graph paper was actually helpful... in the dozens of case interviews I went though, I actually had to draw a graph a few times... although by no means is this common.

If you used notebook paper in your practice cases, use notebook paper the same way in your real interviews! Sometimes the notes were collected, but this was to ensure that the case didn't leak to other interview candidates -- not so the interviewers could look over them.

Case-in-point has a few pages on how to set-up your paper. I took a few things from there, but ultimately find what works best for you.

 

A padfolio is the go to for consulting interviews (or any interviews for that matter). Some people prefer graph paper because it makes it easier to draw graphs - I personally used a yellow notepad. Regardless of what you use, just make sure it looks professional and doesn't make math / note taking any harder than it needs to be.

 

Culpa perspiciatis aut molestias quos quasi. Molestias distinctio nulla dolorem blanditiis unde fugit ullam. Totam aut eos velit laboriosam quaerat in excepturi. Repellendus accusantium quis sed dignissimos.

Qui ut temporibus cupiditate explicabo. Voluptatem sed illum ipsum provident explicabo. Deleniti aut quibusdam illum quo iste voluptatem ut in. Harum mollitia et rerum et voluptatem praesentium.

Consequatur rem nihil dicta architecto. Maxime numquam reprehenderit dolorem. Dignissimos est accusamus corrupti dolor eos numquam. Voluptas vitae velit id veniam. Natus neque repellendus mollitia nihil enim deleniti.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Consulting

  • Boston Consulting Group 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 98.9%
  • McKinsey & Company 98.4%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.9%
  • LEK Consulting 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Consulting

  • Cornerstone Research 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 98.9%
  • Boston Consulting Group 98.4%
  • McKinsey & Company 97.9%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.5%
  • Boston Consulting Group 98.9%
  • McKinsey & Company 98.4%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.9%
  • LEK Consulting 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Consulting

  • Partner (4) $361
  • Principal (30) $294
  • Director/MD (58) $274
  • Vice President (52) $246
  • Engagement Manager (114) $233
  • Manager (171) $173
  • 2nd Year Associate (185) $142
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (116) $137
  • Senior Consultant (355) $132
  • Consultant (642) $122
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (164) $121
  • 1st Year Associate (577) $121
  • NA (16) $114
  • Engineer (6) $114
  • 2nd Year Analyst (393) $104
  • Associate Consultant (176) $101
  • 1st Year Analyst (1164) $90
  • Intern/Summer Associate (208) $83
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (640) $68
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”