I often get asked what people should bring to an interview – especially an informational interview. It’s always good to have a recent copy of your resume. Some people think having some work examples is important too. But what I really notice is when someone brings a notepad and pen – and actually uses it. You might think I’m kidding, but I would say that only about 20% of the people I interview ever show up with a notepad and pen. And of those 20% only about 5% ever take decent notes of our conversation. So even just bringing a notepad and pen can separate you from 80% of your competition.
Here’s why a notepad and pen are the best tools for an interview.
1. It shows the person interviewing you that you’re actually interested in doing some learning during the interview. That what he has to say might actually have some value to you.
2. It shows that you’re prepared, which is a bigger deal than you think. People who are prepared for meetings (i.e. show up with an agenda, have their action items completed, etc.) tend to excel in companies because they exhibit a work ethic over their colleagues. Business owners and managers like seeing this trait in young people because they know they won’t have to teach it to you if they hire you.
Okay, so you’re on the right track with bringing the notepad to your interview. Now you need to go the extra mile and actually use it during the meeting. Here’s how:
1. Before your meeting write down a couple of good questions about the company or the department in your notebook. Make them good questions. That way when you refer to your notebook you’ll show your interviewer that you’re extra prepared for the meeting.
2. Take good notes during the meeting. You don’t have to transcribe everything he says, but jot down some good points he makes and refer back to them during your meeting. “You mentioned earlier that your team is currently focused on this area of the market, specifically X & Y. Do you have a timeline for expansion into other jurisdictions?”
3. When your interviewer says he knows someone who you may be able to talk to as a follow up, open up your notebook and write that person’s name down. Ask him to spell the name. Then ask if he has contact information for him. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve interviewed people where I’ve given them a lead and they don’t follow up on it with me. I’m a busy person, so I may forget to contact someone on your behalf. But if you don’t remember who I was supposed to contact, how can you remind me?
4. Write down some questions or interesting facts about the interview that you can use to follow up with after your meeting. This will also showed you paid attention during the meeting instead of just sitting there hoping he’d offer you a job.
Remember the point of an interview, whether it’s for a job or it’s an informational interview – it’s to distinguish yourself from other potential candidates. Bringing a notebook and pen is a great way to get a leg up, but it’s how you use it that will really separate you from everyone else.
1. It shows the person interviewing you that you’re actually interested in doing some learning during the interview. That what he has to say might actually have some value to you.
2. It shows that you’re prepared, which is a bigger deal than you think. People who are prepared for meetings (i.e. show up with an agenda, have their action items completed, etc.) tend to excel in companies because they exhibit a work ethic over their colleagues. Business owners and managers like seeing this trait in young people because they know they won’t have to teach it to you if they hire you.
Okay, so you’re on the right track with bringing the notepad to your interview. Now you need to go the extra mile and actually use it during the meeting. Here’s how:
1. Before your meeting write down a couple of good questions about the company or the department in your notebook. Make them good questions. That way when you refer to your notebook you’ll show your interviewer that you’re extra prepared for the meeting.
2. Take good notes during the meeting. You don’t have to transcribe everything he says, but jot down some good points he makes and refer back to them during your meeting. “You mentioned earlier that your team is currently focused on this area of the market, specifically X & Y. Do you have a timeline for expansion into other jurisdictions?”
3. When your interviewer says he knows someone who you may be able to talk to as a follow up, open up your notebook and write that person’s name down. Ask him to spell the name. Then ask if he has contact information for him. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve interviewed people where I’ve given them a lead and they don’t follow up on it with me. I’m a busy person, so I may forget to contact someone on your behalf. But if you don’t remember who I was supposed to contact, how can you remind me?
4. Write down some questions or interesting facts about the interview that you can use to follow up with after your meeting. This will also showed you paid attention during the meeting instead of just sitting there hoping he’d offer you a job.
Remember the point of an interview, whether it’s for a job or it’s an informational interview – it’s to distinguish yourself from other potential candidates. Bringing a notebook and pen is a great way to get a leg up, but it’s how you use it that will really separate you from everyone else.
