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Original poster

Post-it notes around screen for Teams interview?

30 replies

Quirkyme · 19/09/2021 00:18

Not unreasonable I know.. I've noticed a lot of comments in threads related to Teams interview, where people have suggested having post-it notes around the screen for their Teams interview, did you find it helpful and actually use them? Tips if so please?

I have an interview coming up for a senior role within my organisation (also been advertised for external applicants too) and it'll be on Teams.

I know what Qs will be asked, due to having an interview a few months ago for the same role in a different team (also on Teams) and just missed out on it. Minimal feedback was given, but I was told to give more examples (and have them nearby in notes to refer back to) for the two questions that I scored lower on...

I was told that the Qs would be the same next time, and that I was more than welcome to reapply.

The time is here and I really want to get it and impress. My manager will also be on the interview panel this time around...

Apart from the post-it notes tips, and examples, any other tips to impress?

OP posts:

Susannahmoody · 19/09/2021 00:21

Yeah,that's a good one.

Also pin notes up in front of your screen (I used the back of a chair, or use a walk) with buzz words to use.

As long as the interviewer can't see them ha.

CraftMaker · 19/09/2021 00:22

Just put a key word on each of them so that they remind you of what to say. That way, you won't have to read from them which would undermine your credibility.

Then try to learn your answers off by heart.

Stompythedinosaur · 19/09/2021 00:25

Personally I think I'd be more distracted by post it's. I would prep, prep and prep again, but on the day trust yourself to come up with the goods.

LawnFever · 19/09/2021 00:28

I always take in interview notes even for a face to face meeting, just bullet points to remind me of certain examples- nothing wrong with doing this, or post it’s if you feel more comfortable with that

Good luck!!!

fizzybootlace · 19/09/2021 00:42

@LawnFever

Good luck!!!

I do the same, it's an interview not a memory test. I've even been told by interviewers it's a good idea and have got the job on more than one occasion.

Good luck OP!!

Roberta268 · 19/09/2021 02:24

I used a few placed around the edge of the screen, but only as prompts in case I totally froze! - and I didn’t need them in the end. Good luck!

2pinkginsplease · 19/09/2021 02:57

Yes I did this for my job interview . Used words to remind me what to say and to give examples . Must have worked because I got the job!

Doorhandleghost · 19/09/2021 07:27

I line my post it notes up on my desk. I use key words and brief reminders of situations to talk about as examples.

I would say though don’t assume you know the questions just because they said so - I change up the interview questions every time so previous applicants don’t have an advantage. If they ask you different questions and you’re unprepared it will throw you.

junebirthdaygirl · 19/09/2021 07:39

My ds had an interview including a power point presentation. He propped a notice board behind the computer with a key sentence for each slide on post it notes in big writing. He said he knew the stuff very well so it was..just in case! I wouldn't try to rely on it too much but if it helps you to be more relaxed do it.

xksismybestletter · 19/09/2021 07:42

I did this. I (unnoticeably) took them down as I made various points so I could see what left I wanted to get across

itsgettingwierd · 19/09/2021 07:45

When I was doing anything online during pandemic I use tonnage a large whiteboard popped up behind the screen with notes scribbled all over it!

Then I could look direct at screen and still see my notes!

Mines mostly because I found the whole thing so weird my mind use to go blank as I was focussing so much on the fact I was talking to a screen, in a room with headphones on 🤣

Feelinglow27 · 19/09/2021 07:46

I had my notes on a word document then wryly the interview was going on, made that screen really small and read from my word doc but it looked like i was just looking at the camera.... got the job 💪

MoonahStone · 19/09/2021 07:49

Virtual notes - I used Sticky Notes - on the screen itself worked well for me. I wrote a few prompts on a note and then sized it long and thin down the middle of the screen. Meant I could see it without needing to look away and could still see and engage with the interview panel.

Good luck OP

YouTubeAddict · 19/09/2021 07:49

The last few roles that I was unsuccessful at it was because my example for ‘what does equality and diversity mean to you?’ wasn’t detailed enough. On my final interview, where I was successful, I really went to town on that one and they loved it. It’s such a big thing now. Also, be aware (if possible) of the job titles of your interviewers as they will be considering your answers from different angles. Look them up on Linked In if you don’t know them.

mynameiscalypso · 19/09/2021 07:50

@LawnFever

Good luck!!!

I do a lot of interviews and I'm always really impressed when people have notes that they refer to - I'd far rather that than they scrabble around for an answer and stress themselves out.

WaterTheGrass · 19/09/2021 07:53

I boiled it down to headings and very short ‘trigger’ bulletpoints for key things I knew I’d be asked + things I knew I wanted to say in the interview no matter what they asked me!

I then had a word doc open on my screen like a previous poster, so I could refer to it without looking around too much.

I think I only looked at it twice in the end, but it was a good security blanket that allayed my fear of going blank. I got the job .

BingeOnChocolate · 19/09/2021 07:54

I had my examples bullet pointed out but then stuck them on the wall around where the laptop would be so I wasn't looking down but always at the camera. It helped me as feedback was I was very confident and always looked at them & got the job

MordredsOrrery · 19/09/2021 08:00

I haven't had a Teams interview, but would use post-its, a physical notepad and also an application like MS Note. I'd probably have headline stuff on the post-its, use the notepad for jotting down thoughts or phrases they use to help keep things clear, and Note for my more detailed examples under what I know the questions to be. Like a PP said, it's not a memory test.

Good luck with your interview

Saltisford · 19/09/2021 08:01

Yes I had examples to back up key questions blu tacked to the wall behind my laptop and my performance was so much better than a previous face to face interview

YeahWhatevver · 19/09/2021 08:06

Make the notes 1 or 2 words max, so just a prompt. In really big letters so you can quickly glance at them without obviously looking away and reading. Use different coloured notes to cover off different topics eg, yellow for career experience, blue for career ambitions, pink for questions you'd like to ask etc....

I often find people's approach to interviews is very backwards looking - here's my experience to date that proves I'm good for the job, while you undoubtedly need some of that, try and make sure you're giving lots of discussion that's forward looking - what I plan to do if successful, areas I can see for improvement, areas of success I'd like to try and expand etc.

Eminybob · 19/09/2021 08:31

I had a competency based zoom interview earlier this year, and I had a notepad to hand. There was one question I was a bit stumped on so had a flick through the notes to find a relevant example. The interviewers could see I was doing this, but I still got the job.
As long as you’re not reading word for word and just using it to jog your memory it’s fine.

VladmirsPoutine · 19/09/2021 08:59

Just have bulleted notes that you can refer to. You can even have them on a word document on screen - so long as you don't share your screen you should be fine. As a PP said it's an interview not a memory test.

idontlikealdi · 19/09/2021 11:39

I think if you have to work that hard it's going to be difficult to deliver.

Wriggleon · 19/09/2021 11:42

I did same as someone above, had a word document at top and middle of screen to refer to, worked really well as it was like I was looking ahead at the panel

ThisIsNotAMill · 19/09/2021 11:47

Post it notes? I had whole A4 sheets pinned up, the wall looked like a mad scientist had taken over 😂

It was a competency based interview so I had one sheet up for each of the 6 categories, full of the buzz words they were looking for. And another with a list of ten bulleted 'emergency example ideas' in case they threw a curve ball.

It came in really, really handy. I knew my examples by heart but being able to flick my eyes up to remind myself of key words before I started was a massive bonus. I got the job.

The most important think for competency based is still the basic STARR ime. It forces your examples into logical, sequential order and stops you rambling if you're nervous.

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