Should you bring notes to an interview? (With tips)
If you have an interview coming up, you might wonder whether it's appropriate to bring notes with you to help. While it's often a good idea to bring notes to an interview, there are specific situations where it might be better to leave your notes at home. Preparing notes can be a great way to organise your thoughts and calm your mind before an interview. In this article, we answer 'Should you bring notes to an interview?', explain how to prepare interview notes and outline what else you can bring to an interview to help you feel prepared.
When should you bring notes to an interview?
The answer to 'Should you bring notes to an interview?' is multifaceted, and there are many situations where it's acceptable to bring notes to an interview. In these situations, arriving at an interview with a thorough, well-organised set of notes makes it clear to the interviewer that you've prepared for the meeting and can help to create a good first impression. Bringing notes can also help you feel more optimistic about an upcoming interview since you're better equipped to deal with challenging questions. Here are some instances where it's a good idea to bring notes:
Behavioural interviews
You can bring notes to a behavioural interview to help you prepare for questions about your previous experiences. In a behavioural interview, the interviewer asks about past situations you may have faced in the workplace to gauge your ability to deal with different situations. When creating notes for a behavioural interview, brainstorm a list of challenging or noteworthy situations you've previously encountered at work and reflect on how your actions affected the outcome of these situations.
Video interviews
You can have access to an unlimited amount of materials during a video interview thanks to the Internet, but it's still useful to have a pre-written set of notes to hand. Referring to prepared thoughts is quicker and easier than searching the web for the answer to a question. It also ensures that you don't look distracted when talking to the interviewer.
Asking questions
It's always a good idea to bring a list of questions to ask during your interview. Preparing them beforehand ensures that any questions you ask are thoughtful and well-structured and signals to the interviewer that you're keen to learn more about the role. Use your prepared questions as a guide, not as a script. Don't be afraid to ask questions that only come to mind during the interview.
How to prepare notes for an interview
You can prepare notes for an interview by drafting answers to questions and scenarios you think the interviewer might ask you about. Preparing notes can be a useful exercise to help you structure your thoughts before an interview and to highlight any areas that may need more preparation. Perform the following steps:
1. Researching the company
When making notes for an interview, it's important to include detailed research about the company you're applying to. Interviewers often ask candidates to give a brief explanation of what they think the company does during the interview, to ensure that the interviewee understands how the company works. Referencing projects, campaigns or initiatives specific to that company is a great way to show that you've done your research. A company's blog or social media pages are useful resources to see their most recent updates.
2. Brainstorming previous experiences
When preparing interview notes, it can be useful to brainstorm a list of past experiences you've encountered in the workplace. For example, the interviewer may ask you to name a time you worked well in a team, or ask how you've previously dealt with a challenging coworker. It can be helpful to structure your notes according to the STAR technique, where you list the Situation, Task, Action and Result of a specific situation.
3. Refer to the job description
Referring directly to the job description in your interview notes is an easy way to ensure that they stay on topic. Write down the person specifications and responsibilities the company listed in the vacancy. Next to each point, note how you believe your skills and experiences match this requirement and make you the right person for the job.
4. Make notes instead of scripts
When preparing notes for an interview, make sure to keep your notes concise and relevant. Bullet points can help to structure your thoughts into smaller pieces that you can refer back to easily during an interview. If your prepared answers are too long or wordy, it can create the impression to an interviewer that you're following a script, instead of engaging authentically with the questions.
When to avoid bringing notes to an interview
There are certain situations where you may wish to avoid bringing notes to a job interview. These situations include interviews where they're assessing how well you can think on your feet, such as during an on-the-job interview. It's also wise to leave your notes at home if they're on your mobile phone instead of paper. Here is some guidance for when to avoid bringing notes in different scenarios:
On-the-job interviews
Avoid bringing notes to an ‘on-the-job' interview, where your prospective employers expect you to perform tasks that are part of the role you're applying for. During an on-the-job interview, interviewers wish to see how you react to real-world situations and bringing notes may make you seem incapable of thinking for yourself. Carrying notes around with you may also be difficult depending on the task you're doing, causing them to be a hindrance to you.
Group interviews
Avoid bringing notes to a group interview. Group interviews are an efficient way for employers to interview several candidates at once, especially if they're looking to hire more than one person. It's unnecessary to bring notes with you to a group interview since you're likely going to be completing on-the-spot tasks such as problem-solving challenges. Employers are looking at how well you can communicate with others and work as part of a team, not how well you can recite prepared answers.
Mobile phone interviews
If you've taken notes on a mobile phone, laptop or another device before the interview, it's better to leave them at home. Taking your phone out during an interview can look rude or unprofessional, and it can distract you or the interviewer from the conversation. If possible, it's a good idea to write your notes out on paper before the interview instead.