Would you take notes with you to the interview? YES or NO?
I have an interview (last stage) for BlackRock analyst and my question is:
is it ok to bring notes with me to the interview like modules Ive done at uni, key statistics about them etc??
I have an interview (last stage) for BlackRock analyst and my question is:
is it ok to bring notes with me to the interview like modules Ive done at uni, key statistics about them etc??
Career Resources
What!? No, absolutely not.
You shouldn't even be looking at your resume during an interview.
The closest you can get to anything to do with notes, is making some scribbles if they ask you a technical that they couldn't possible expect you to do in your head. I did that once in an interview, I said "do you mind if I make some scribbles, it help me organize my thoughts"
Generally, you're allowed to bring in a pad of paper for technical questions, or if you want to make BRIEF notes about the group, etc. if the people you interview with go into a lot of detail. BRIEF being 1 or 2 pts, a few words.
You should bring in a copy or two of your resume, but you can't look at it when you talk about yourself. Any modules or stats or whatever you want to quote should be very high level anyway - don't go off in a detailed tangent unless asked.
Things I wouldn't have on me would include industry notes, company statistics, and definitely not any type of formulas. With regards to a resume, I think it is absolutely fine to have a copy for both yourself and the people you will be interviewing with. If you think a decision is made based on the fact that you looked at your resume while telling your story you are absolutely wrong. Don't take this the wrong way, you must have your 1, 3, and 5 versions of your story down pact, but having your own resume to guide the interviewer through the process will reflect upon them that you are a well organized individual. For example, when making any presentation, the presenter usually has a copy whether it be a hard copy or a powerpoint of the actual material. Practice, practice, practice and you will be just fine!
Thanks guys :) No notes for me then!!! I will just take two copies of my CV with me just in case and..practise before in front of the mirror ;)
Yeah I made the mistake of taking notes and didn't even look at them but recited one question and interesting fact about the company and stumped the recruiter thus somewhat embarrassing her and making myself look even worse. It was an interesting question though.
Wouldn't it be smarter to take more than just two resumes (i.e., more like 5)? Better to be better safe than sorry.
I always took like 10 copies of resumes on nice paper to interviews. Obviously, these mostly went unused, but what's the harm; you can always use them later.
To me, notes on the company are fine but random notes from classes are bizarre (the interviewer most likely wouldn't notice them anyway). Prepared questions on paper (at least to me) are great if they're intelligent. If they're something stupid then don't ask them, but a question I would like to receive (most people like to talk about themselves) is something to the effect of "tell me the best and worst part about your job" or "tell me about a deal you recently worked on." These are exceptionally generic questions that could be asked of any analyst or banker, could take up a good amount of interview time, and could offer you pretty good insight into the job. If the interviewer won't give you a straight answer on the worst part of the job, then they're hiding something, in my opinion. I will always be upfront with people if they ask that; otherwise, the interviewee will just leave after a year anyway so it's detrimental to the group.
If nothing else, the fact that you researched the company/industry enough to have intelligent questions will make you far more competent in an interview. Everything varies by interviewer, though. I've never had anyone complain when I walked in with a full sheet of notes/questions (which was every time). Plus, if you're interviewing for a specific group - Houston energy groups come to mind - then ask something intelligent about, say, MLPs simply to show that you researched the industry. That will go a very long way.
I recognize I went off on a tangent here, but I also hope that people that will be interviewing for banking jobs may happen to read this thread. Thanks for putting up with my randomness.
Haha thanks! Its nor randomness at all- I greatly appreciate any advice. Well, I have an interview for BlackRock analytics group...do you think asking them about impact of the new financial reform bill might be a relevant question? I also thought about mentioning the current state of economy and its influence on asset management? Sorry if does sound irrelevant but thats my first interview since graduation and I am really stressing out! I revised all the info about fixed income and derivatives (job spec says candidates should have an interest in that)...And yes- I will bring about 10 copies of my CV with me! Just in case.
Notes during interview (Originally Posted: 01/09/2010)
what's the consensus on taking notes during an interview? when they're telling you about themselves, is it ok to write that stuff down? or do you just have to smile and remember it?
Honestly, I feel like taking notes is for more senior positions. If you are interviewing for an analyst position they will be talking about the firm, etc. All stuff you should know about already.
Don't take any notes during the interview. Bring a portfolio but keep it closed.
Maybe scratch a few notes in the short breaks between interviews on superday to keep some specific points for your thank you notes.
duh, that's why you bring that leather portfolio with a notepad inside. you're going to look like a HUGE idiot when you can't remember their names or what to thank them for in a follow-up e-mail.
I wouldn't take notes during the conversation. After I get a business card, I like to write a few notes/bullet points on the back of the card about the person.
I"d bring pen and nice notebook, but I would NOT ever carry a gay leather portfolio. That is so 1980's and Walmart. Are you going to bring a Trapper Keeper too?
thanks for advice guys
Yea, no notes. I like Pink Monkey's advice of jotting a few points down on the back of their business card AFTER the interview. During the interview you want to be focused on them and what they are saying. Actually focus and try and understand what they are talking about, and respond with insightful follow up questions that show you actually were listening to them.
Trying to take notes will probably distract you and you will end up missing something.
Writing a few notes when the information is useful is fine. Don't sit there like you're in lecture hall writing like a maniac, but I think it's fine.
What about not bringing anything? Your full attention span on the interviewers
You need a portfolio. It does not have to be anything fancy.
you should ask if you can take notes at the beginning of the interview.
Bring something to write on and a pen, I have brought note book, piece of paper, portfolio before. Have it open on a blank page. the reason is that in case they ask you to solve some problems so you can take down the notes and/or solve on paper (which is easier). you don't need to take down conversation details because that looks really fake and you should have been memorizing it.
Please don't ask if you can take notes before the interview, that is probably the most retarded question you can ask in an interview.
Do ask them if you can take down the details of the problem they give you because sometimes they want you to solve it in head.
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I say taking minimal notes is fine, only when they are discussing specifics about the job it self. I.E. schedule, pay, benefits, stuff like that. By taking notes about these kinds of things it shows you are more attentitive to the job and that you will have a good basis to make your final decision on, as they assume you have more than one interview for IB or S&T work.
when you sit down, should you open the portfolio to a blank page, or keep it closed until you need to write something down for a technical question?
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