An interview is an important chance for every job seeker to learn more about a potential employer and the job ahead. Taking notes during an interview can help you keep important details and impressions.
How to take handwritten notes?
Here are 10 tips for taking notes during an interview, plus some note-taking methods.
1. Prepare in advance.
Before the interview, make sure you have everything you need for note-taking at hand. That could be a notebook and pen, plus spare pens. If you prefer digital tools, make sure your device is charged and working properly. Do not forget to check the battery level and make sure there is enough space to save notes.
2. Ask for permission.
Always ask for permission to take notes during an interview. It is not only a matter of legal propriety but also of respect for the other person. Simply say: "Do you mind if I take a few notes during our conversation?"
3. Write down names.
Spelling names correctly can be critical, especially for follow-up communication. It will help you build a more personal and professional relationship with potential colleagues or managers. Write down the names of everyone you meet, including their job titles and roles in the company.
4. Be specific.
Write down concrete answers to your questions. This will help you avoid confusion later and will be useful when you review the information after the interview. For example, if you are asked about your teamwork experience, instead of writing "answered question about teamwork", note more specific details such as "has experience leading a small team".
5. Do not forget nonverbal communication.
Notes on gestures, facial expressions and tone of voice can help you understand the context. For example, if a recruiter talks about the difficulties of the job with a slight smile, it may be a sign that they are downplaying those difficulties. You can use shorthand codes for nonverbal signals, such as "S" for a smile or "EC" for eye contact.
6. Use abbreviations.
This will speed up your note-taking and let you capture more information. For example, "mgr" can stand for "manager" and "dept" for "department". Create your own list of abbreviations that you use often so you do not forget what they mean.
7. Use symbols and icons.
They help you convey thoughts and ideas quickly and efficiently. For example, "+" can mean pros and "-" cons, and arrows can show a relationship or a consequence. These universal signs will help you review your notes faster.
8. Leave room for additions.
During the conversation you may want to add extra notes or clarifications to what you have already written. This is also handy if you think of a question you want to ask later.
9. Do not be afraid to take nonlinear notes.
Thoughts do not always come in order, and your notes can reflect that. What matters is that they make sense to you. You can use arrows or lines to show connections between different points.
10. Write down your conclusions and observations right after the meeting.
Your impressions will be freshest and most accurate right after the interview. Write a summary of your notes while the information is still fresh in your mind. Your subjective feelings and reactions can be useful when deciding whether the job and the company are right for you. For example, if you liked how the team interacts with each other, or disliked how the manager answers your questions, those impressions are worth writing down.
What note-taking methods are there?
1. The Cornell method.
The Cornell method involves dividing each page of your notes into two columns. The left side holds only the main points and key ideas you took away from the meeting. In the right part you describe each point or idea in detail. This way of organizing notes helps you quickly find ideas and their related details without spending much time.
2. The outline method.
The outline method works well when your interview has a written agenda. Use the agenda's key items as the main points and fill in the details when the interview actually happens. You can combine this method with the Cornell method.
3. The quadrant method.
The quadrant method means dividing your notes into quadrants and giving each section a title in this format: general notes, your own action items, teammates' action items, and finally, questions. Write your main points, ideas and key takeaways in the general notes section. Then use the other parts of your notes for their designated content.
4. The mind mapping method.
Mind mapping may be familiar to you from brainstorming and other idea-generation processes. It turns out that mind mapping is a great way to take notes. You do it the same way as anywhere else. Use the agenda and the flow of the meeting to create a central idea and draw branches, as well as the various links between the ideas shared in the meeting. Using a mind map for note-taking is enjoyable if you are a visual person.
Remember that successful note-taking takes practice, and each of these methods may take some time to master. But with patience and persistence you will find a system that works for you and helps you perform at your best during your interviews.
How to take digital notes?
1. Voice recorders.
Small and portable, voice recorders are ideal for recording interviews. Some modern models offer features such as noise reduction, automatic volume leveling and the ability to transfer recordings to a computer.
2. Smartphones.
Your mobile devices can also be a powerful tool for taking notes during interviews. Most smartphones come with built-in audio recording apps. On iPhone it is "Voice Memos", on Android devices it is "Recorder". These apps let you easily record and play back audio right on your phone.
3. Online services and apps.
There are many apps and online services that can help you record and organize your notes. For example, Evernote, OneNote and Google Keep let you save not only text notes but also audio. These apps also have features for syncing your notes across different devices.
4. Text editors.
Simple text editors such as Google Docs or Microsoft Word can also be useful for taking notes during an interview. They let you type and format text quickly, and save documents in the cloud for easy access.
5. Speech recognition apps.
If you prefer speaking to writing, speech recognition apps such as Google Docs Voice Typing can be useful. These tools turn your speech into text, letting you take notes during the interview without having to write.
6. Dedicated note-taking apps.
Apps such as Notion, Roam Research or Obsidian offer advanced note-taking features, such as linked notes, tags, hierarchical note structure and more, which can help you organize your interview notes.