AIBU to take notes in an interview?

[Cottagepieandpeas]

I've just done a mock interview and realised that I am struggling to remember the key points of a question if it's a long one.

(I wonder if this is related to being interviewed on Zoom quite a few times over the last few years, when I have easily been able to jot down a few words off screen)

I also get very nervous and this does not help my memory in that sort of situation.

My next interview is face to face - if you were on the panel would you think any worse of me for writing a few words during a question?

Thanks

I would t think worse of you.

You could say 'I usually note the keywords to make sure I cover all of the question in my answer'.

I'd rather someone did that than waffled pointlessly.

@TragicMuse

I would t think worse of you.

You could say 'I usually note the keywords to make sure I cover all of the question in my answer'.

I'd rather someone did that than waffled pointlessly.

Wouldn't

I think its completely fair.

I'd not think less of you, and would likely see it as a good thing (organised, prepared, careful). Plus, it'll help focus your answer.

Always take notes to an interview. If you need to jot a couple more during, that's fine too.

Yes defo take notes during the interview of the questions if it helps.

Thanks all! I feel better having read your responses.

@TragicMuse waffling can be my downfall (someone actually said it in interview feedback once!) so if it helps with that too, then I'm on to a winner!

I think it's completely reasonable. In fact, if anything, I would be impressed. An interviewer should be conscious of the fact that an interview can be a stressful situation and I would be impressed that you had the initiative to employ a strategy to assist you in minimising the stress and ensuring you addressed the key questions and points.

The interview is for you as much as them and you want to give yourself the opportunity to express yourself as professionally and clearly as possible. There is, in my view, absolutely nothing wrong with making notes so that you can properly consider your answer and remember any points you wish to make.

I would consider it a strength and an indicator of self-awareness and common sense in the interviewee. I would rather that someone took notes and gave me full and considered answers than they struggle through the interview and give me hurried, incomplete and sloppy answers.

My next interview is face to face - if you were on the panel would you think any worse of me for writing a few words during a question?

I'd think the exact opposite!! I've done a lot of interviewing and a fair chunk of candidates took notes. I've always done it.

To me, I look at an interview as just another work meeting and I always go to those armed with my pad and pen.

Absolutely fine. I would like it if you explained at the beginning that you planned to do so. I would assume that you were a conscientious individual and had prepared well for your interview.

Wouldn't bother me - I think in writing. I always make notes when I'm thinking.

I always take notes. It's an important meeting and you'd take notes to those. It's not a memory test so best to have CV and notes in front of you.

OP - off the back of your last post - I once had feedback following an interview where they said they were particularly impressed that after each question, I paused, took a breath, and considered the question before answering. There is nothing wrong with taking your time and pausing before answering - if nothing else it shows that you're actually thinking about the question and not just rushing to throw out rehearsed stock answers. And btw - I got the job!

I think its fine for you to take notes if it is helping you with the question. What I don't like is the increasingly common idea that its OK to take notes IN to the interview to help you answer the question. I've seen people do that and use their notes to make their answers. When I'm interviewing I'm trying to find out what you know, now what you googled beforehand

I am a terrible waffler in interviews and dread having to do them.
I do also interview others quite a bit, which should make me better. But it doesn't.
I think this is a very good tip and it wouldn't make me think anything negative at all. I'd be impressed with your commitment to getting it right.

I usually provide a notebook and pen for interviews and encourage note taking!

No problem. In fact it shows that you are taking things seriously.

I always take notes and take notes in with me. The first thing I jot down is who is sitting where. I also take a double spaced copy of my cv with notes indicating examples of key areas I expect to be covered, this is very useful for competency interview with ‘can you give an example of when …..’ questions.

If I am still interested in the job afterwards I also send a thank you note for their time and comment on anything of particular interest or note.

My interview success rate is 99% and I think the note thing has definitely played in my favour.

Good luck with the interview.

A notebook is an essential for an interview, just so long as you remain focused on the interviewers and not the notes.

@sluj you'll be missing out on some excellent candidates if your interviews are a memory test under pressure rather than an accurate representation of their experience and preparation.

Definitely fine to take notes in an interview. If noone has said it already, when you are asked a question, it's usually fine to summarise it back to make sure you know what is being asked. Probably don't do it for every single question but for ones where you really aren't sure, it's fine to ask them to clarify.

No problem at all! In fact I'd think you were a better candidate who writes down key information so they can give a response which answers the question!

@Pedalpushers

A notebook is an essential for an interview, just so long as you remain focused on the interviewers and not the notes.

@sluj you'll be missing out on some excellent candidates if your interviews are a memory test under pressure rather than an accurate representation of their experience and preparation.

Perhaps it's the nature of the jobs I'm interviewing for, but I definitely need people to know their stuff and not just reel off a written list of things you might do or consider in the question scenario. A lot of people are bigging up their actual experience and I need someone who can prove they have it. Perhaps other jobs are different, but I'm rarely looking for trainees, I'm looking for advanced practitioners who shouldn't need notes.

Am interviewing numerous candidates at the moment, I would look very favourably on someone who takes notes and correctly addresses the question asked. Good Luck!

I always take notes in with me, usually a couple of STAR examples as I'm terrible at remembering.

I also take notes so that I don't waffle. Seems to work as I got the last job that I applied for, even though I didn't take it up in the end.

I take notes and bring a copy of my cv, application form and questions I want to ask. I make notes as I go and only one person has said I wasn't allowed papers with me.