Have you taken notes during an interview? I’ve had many job-seekers tell me they prefer to take notes, because it helps them remember the questions they want to ask and points they’d like to make later in the interview. But, they also wonder how interviewers feel about the practice.
Nonverbal communication — or body language — plays a huge role in developing rapport. Maintaining good eye contact indicates you’re interested in what the employer or a networking contact has to say. In general, note-taking during a conversation might seem out of place and perhaps even rude. However, from a job seekers point of view, taking notes can be a good way to remember key aspects of a conversation.
Some employers might feel uncomfortable so to put the interviewer at ease, it is a good idea to ask, “Do you mind if I take notes”? Receiving permission helps you both feel more comfortable.
As a rule, I would say the issue isn’t really about taking notes, but rather how many times you take notes during an interview. You should maintain good eye contact and jot down only significant points. When the conversation is over, you can take the time to fill in a more complete overview.
Taking notes does help you craft meaningful thank-you notes and follow-up correspondence, because you can use them to remind you of areas of need or interest that arose during your interview. This is helpful especially if you have met with more than one person during the interview.
Be careful not to use note-taking as a crutch to cover up interviews jitters, because it can be as distracting as nervous fidgeting. If you choose to take notes, make sure you have a clean pad of paper and pens that write. Purchasing a good leather portfolio is a good idea, too.
