7 Reasons Why You Must Record Your Interviews

We ask our clients to always record every job interview, and the reason is pretty simple:

How could we guide them as effectively, efficiently, and strategically as possible, if we don't get to see how they performed on the field?

Imagine a blindfolded football coach, he wouldn't be as effective in his job.

???? Do I need permission to record my interviews in the USA?

In the United States, whether you can legally record a job interview without asking for permission depends on state wiretapping and consent laws. States fall into two categories:

1. One-Party Consent States (Recording Without Permission is Legal), and
2. Two-Party (All-Party) Consent States (Permission is Required)

???? Do I need permission to record my interviews in Canada?

In Canada, recording a job interview without permission is generally legal under federal law, as long as you are one of the participants in the conversation. This falls under Canada's one-party consent law, meaning:

1. You can record your own conversations, including job interviews, without informing the employer or hiring manager.
2. You cannot record a conversation you are not a part of (e.g., secretly recording others talking when you are not present).

Here are seven reasons why you must record your interviews:

1. Improve Performance for Future Interviews

• Analyze Responses: Review how you answered questions and identify areas for improvement.
• Identify Filler Words: Catch excessive "um," "uh," or "like" to sound more polished.
• Evaluate Clarity and Conciseness: Ensure answers are structured well and not too long-winded.
• Spot Nervous Habits: Reduce fidgeting, rambling, or awkward pauses.

2. Capture Key Details and Insights

• Remember What Was Asked: Reviewing questions helps you prepare better for similar future interviews.
• Clarify Employer Expectations: Catch important phrases or requirements you might have missed.
• Understand Employer’s Tone and Reactions: Observe which responses were well received and which were not.

3. Prepare for Follow-Up Interviews

• Avoid Repeating Yourself Inconsistently: Maintain consistency if you're interviewing with multiple people at the same company.
• Build on Previous Answers: Show progression and deeper insights in later rounds.

4. Craft a Stronger Thank-You or Follow-Up Message

• Reference Key Moments: Personalize your follow-up email with specific points discussed.
• Address Any Missed Information: Correct or elaborate on anything unclear.

5. Protect Yourself from Miscommunication

• Proof of What Was Said: Avoid misunderstandings about compensation, job expectations, or next steps.
• Dispute Potential Bias or Unfair Treatment: In rare cases, if something inappropriate happens, you have a record.

6. Enhance Negotiation Strategies

• Revisit Promises Made: If a recruiter mentions salary flexibility, bonuses, or benefits, you have proof.
• Understand Employer’s Needs: Use insights from their words to frame your negotiation persuasively.

7. Gain Confidence

• See Your Progress Over Time: Notice how you improve with each interview.
• Reduce Anxiety: Knowing you can review your responses helps you focus during the actual conversation.

We explain the entire job switch strategy here (in simple terms):

• Land lots of interviews in a short time frame
• Convert them into job offers without being compared
• Obtain your desired job conditions, and select the best job for you