3 ms·

I’m skeptical of the advice to memorize answers. How important is this? It seems to me that memorizing them will make you seem robotic and un-engaging.

nsmog767 8y ago
>It seems to me that memorizing them will make you seem robotic and un-engaging. It's all in the delivery though, right? You can make a passionate case for your current traction by stating metrics with conviction. You can also recite them in a very rehearsed-sounding way. I think the point here is to show that you know your stuff. instead of saying "we're growing rapidly" or "approx doubling users every two weeks", have numbers to demonstrate your command of the situation.
- rococode 8y ago
  Right, I think the main issue that memorization solves is that it can look bad if you stumble or pause for too long while you're trying to explain something. While it's not necessary to memorize stuff you write down word-for-word, it's important to at least know all the key points that you need to bring up and smooth ways to convey those points. Basically, "I need to answer X, and phrase Y is a good way of saying it", rather than "Better memorize this 5 sentence script answering that question".
  - nsmog767 8y ago
    Totally agree with you about scripts. Can't speak to exactly what Justin meant, but memorization projects confidence AND makes sure that nerves don't get the best of you! In situations outside of interviews like this, I've stumbled over things I should have known simply because I had the butterflies. I wonder if I had rehearsed, maybe it would have solved that slight hesitation you alluded to?
sonnyblarney 8y ago
I'm skeptical of that but not for those reasons. When you memorize data points, you actually become more familiar with it, and you can say it with more confidence, more naturally. You've said it so many times it's like walking. I just object to the whole 'study study study' BS that is now normative for interviewing, because it's encouraging 'gaming the system'. YC had their biggest hits with the 'loose' style, maybe they should go back to that. I'm lucky to have largely avoided it, but having to create and do pitches all the time is utterly annoying. If it were for customers yes , then essential. But for others ... One approach would be to give no advice at all, to be totally quiet about intent and motivations, so you catch people in their natural states. Finally, I would hope they are collecting data on all of this. I'd love to see the A+B test on 'interviewed but passed and interviewed but rejected'.
hkmurakami 8y ago
You memorize the info but don't read off of a script.

nsmog767 8y ago

>It seems to me that memorizing them will make you seem robotic and un-engaging. It's all in the delivery though, right? You can make a passionate case for your current traction by stating metrics with conviction. You can also recite them in a very rehearsed-sounding way. I think the point here is to show that you know your stuff. instead of saying "we're growing rapidly" or "approx doubling users every two weeks", have numbers to demonstrate your command of the situation.

rococode 8y ago
Right, I think the main issue that memorization solves is that it can look bad if you stumble or pause for too long while you're trying to explain something. While it's not necessary to memorize stuff you write down word-for-word, it's important to at least know all the key points that you need to bring up and smooth ways to convey those points. Basically, "I need to answer X, and phrase Y is a good way of saying it", rather than "Better memorize this 5 sentence script answering that question".
- nsmog767 8y ago
  Totally agree with you about scripts. Can't speak to exactly what Justin meant, but memorization projects confidence AND makes sure that nerves don't get the best of you! In situations outside of interviews like this, I've stumbled over things I should have known simply because I had the butterflies. I wonder if I had rehearsed, maybe it would have solved that slight hesitation you alluded to?

sonnyblarney 8y ago

I'm skeptical of that but not for those reasons. When you memorize data points, you actually become more familiar with it, and you can say it with more confidence, more naturally. You've said it so many times it's like walking. I just object to the whole 'study study study' BS that is now normative for interviewing, because it's encouraging 'gaming the system'. YC had their biggest hits with the 'loose' style, maybe they should go back to that. I'm lucky to have largely avoided it, but having to create and do pitches all the time is utterly annoying. If it were for customers yes , then essential. But for others ... One approach would be to give no advice at all, to be totally quiet about intent and motivations, so you catch people in their natural states. Finally, I would hope they are collecting data on all of this. I'd love to see the A+B test on 'interviewed but passed and interviewed but rejected'.

hkmurakami 8y ago

You memorize the info but don't read off of a script.