STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Andrea Julia · Coach

Interview cheat sheets-Yay or nay?

ShanKel · Kenneth Cole

Yay! I am one of those people who freeze up during interviews and forget everything. Little clues here and there about certain points I want to make or questions I need to ask are just what i need to get me going.

lsubatgirl · Gucci

I say yes! There is nothing wrong with that. I wouldn't have answers written down on a sheet of paper. I would/actually have highlights of stuff I want to talk about such as such and such project or such and such job so I remember it. I also write down the questions I want to ask them just in case we get carried away and I've asked all kinds of questions already so I don't forget if there is an important one.

ILoveChoo · Hermes

I think it would be fine as long as you are not glued to it and as long as you can answer their questions intelligently. If you overuse it though, you might look like a complete dolt.

Dizzy · Marc Jacobs

As long as you respond to the interviewer, and keep the cheat sheet in your binder so they don't see it, it sounds like a really good idea. I usually memorize mine. In writing, you learn to develop a simple, memorable theme, and that seems to work well for interviews.

nycam327 · Nine West

I always have a cheat sheet on my interviews. I bring a portfolio with me that has copies of my resume and a notepad. On this pad I put basic information about the company (location and who I will be meeting), any questions that I want to ask during the interview, and any points that I think I will forget. I've never had a problem keeping my notepad out during the interview. I just as the interviewer if they mind if I take notes.

Karina · Chanel

i used some on the interview that i recently went on for my internal job - my now boss told me after the interview how well prepared and professional i was.

how did the interview go, btw?

Andrea Julia · Coach

quote:
Originally posted by: Karina
"i used some on the interview that i recently went on for my internal job - my now boss told me after the interview how well prepared and professional i was. how did the interview go, btw?"

The interview didn't happen yet. I have 3 phone interviews tomorrow and a half-day long interview on Wednesday. This is all for the same position. Obviously, I can have all the cheat sheets I want for the phone interviews and hopefully by the time I interview with people in person, I will be comfortable with what I am saying.

I am getting really nervous for the interview. I found out today I am only up against one person, but this person has a higher position than me AND works in the same general area as the job is in. I just keep telling myself that I must have a chance anyway if I got this far. We had to do a project last week and I guess mine was obviously in the top 2. Wish me LOTS of luck. You all know how bad I've been wanting this.

esquiress · Marc Jacobs

good luck good luck good luck!!! i'll be crossing my fingers for you sweetie. as for the cheat sheet thing, i don't think you need one. i think your can-do spirit should come through and i don't want anything masking that. seriously, have CONFIDENCE in yourself and be as natural as possible--your spirit comes through cyberspace just fine so i'm sure in person you will knock them dead.

objectively speaking, about the cheat sheet thing, i don't really like them. we just interviewed a girl and she had a cheat sheet and the interview was so awkward and stilted, i felt so bad for her but at the same time we took her to lunch and i'm sorry but it is just weird to be looking down at a piece of paper over lunch. whatever, maybe i just have an aversion to cheat sheets because it so obviously contributed to the negative atmosphere of that lunch. so i voted no. plus i don't think you need it anyways.

Andrea Julia · Coach

quote:
Originally posted by: esquiress
"good luck good luck good luck!!! i'll be crossing my fingers for you sweetie. as for the cheat sheet thing, i don't think you need one. i think your can-do spirit should come through and i don't want anything masking that. seriously, have CONFIDENCE in yourself and be as natural as possible--your spirit comes through cyberspace just fine so i'm sure in person you will knock them dead. objectively speaking, about the cheat sheet thing, i don't really like them. we just interviewed a girl and she had a cheat sheet and the interview was so awkward and stilted, i felt so bad for her but at the same time we took her to lunch and i'm sorry but it is just weird to be looking down at a piece of paper over lunch. whatever, maybe i just have an aversion to cheat sheets because it so obviously contributed to the negative atmosphere of that lunch. so i voted no. plus i don't think you need it anyways."

Esquiress, how about just a paper with the questions I want to ask? I would take it out at the end.

esquiress · Marc Jacobs

are they taking you out to lunch or is it in an office?

Andrea Julia · Coach

quote:
Originally posted by: esquiress
"are they taking you out to lunch or is it in an office?"

It is at my company. I have no idea how it is going to be set up. I am meeting up with them at 8am in our cafeteria (although breakfast was not mentioned). I am meeting about 800 people from their department, some of which are flying in from other locations.

Barbie · BCBG

Yes...and make sure you write down several questions to ask them!!!

esquiress · Marc Jacobs

ok this is serious. here is my mantra and it works so repeat after me--"I WILL KNOCK THEM DEAD. I AM INTELLIGENT, BEAUTIFUL AND VIVACIOUS. I AM INTERVIEWING THEM TOO, AND I WILL BE JUDGING THEM TO SEE IF THEY MEET MY STANDARDS. IN FACT, THEY ARE LUCKY TO EVEN HAVE THE CHANCE TO BE SPEAKING TO ME." repeat as necessary.

ok back the cheat sheet debate. i need to know more. if you and the interviewer have a desk in between you, i don't see anything wrong with saying something like 'do you mind if i take notes?' they of course say yes, then you look down, jot down whatever their answer is as necessary and then ask a q. off your sheet. but this is what usually works for (and impresses) me--an engaging conversation where you're looking the person in the eye. it's just more effective imo and anytime you have to look down, i feel like you might be killing the moment you know?

but here's the thing, i am 100% positive that it's your personality and work ethic that's gotten you this far if the person you're up against is higher up and works in the same dept. as the job posn you're both going for. so i don't want you to hinder yourself w/ a cheat sheet, you know?

also, pm me and i'll give you my phone # if you want to practice over the phone. i'd be happy to help you prepare, just let me know, k?

bex · Chanel

whenever i interviewed, i always had several key words written down about myself so that i can just glance down and be reminded about something. my last interview (when i landed my dream job) i did this and was so dead on the entire interview- of course it helped that they guy who is now my boss and i cliqued amazingly- but still- it helps big time to have those key words written down.

best of luck- you'll do great!