Taking notes during an interview

Julesmama28 · Sep 29, 2015

Bring a note pad with your questions and just make sure you ask before the interview if it's ok if you take notes. All the interviews I've had, the interviewers were perfectly fine, if not a little impressed at the forethought. Good luck!

RN BSN

cbebes · Sep 29, 2015

Thank you!

llg, PhD, RN · Sep 29, 2015

I agree. It would be weird to be writing copious notes to everything discussed during the interview -- but jotting down a few notes while you are getting answers to your questions would probably be just fine. It would show you are prepared and that you care enough about the answers to want to remember them correctly.

dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN · Sep 29, 2015

Just don't bring your Big Gulp cup, McDonald's breakfast, or your child. Do not wear a mumu, flipflops, or any t-shirts that have been heavily sequined or bedazzled. Bring a resume. (And don't lie about why you didn't bring a resume!)

/true stories, all of them

cbebes · Sep 29, 2015

I would like to think I would never do any of those things. That makes me think of the scene from Step Brothers.

cracklingkraken, ASN, RN · Sep 29, 2015

Just don't bring your Big Gulp cup, McDonald's breakfast, or your child. Do not wear a mumu, flipflops, or any t-shirts that have been heavily sequined or bedazzled. Bring a resume. (And don't lie about why you didn't bring a resume!)
/true stories, all of them

So I can't eat my Big Mac during the interview?

I do the same thing as PPs. Ask them if it's okay to take notes. And I take care to write down the names of the interviewer(s) so I can write a personalized Thank You letter.

Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN · Sep 30, 2015

Make sure you write down things like, "sucky pay" and "old-looking unit". It might also help to chew on your pen or just nervously tap it on the desk.

Good luck to you! :smug:

cracklingkraken, ASN, RN · Sep 30, 2015

Make sure you write down things like, "sucky pay" and "old-looking unit". It might also help to chew on your pen or just nervously tap it on the desk.
Good luck to you!

No idea if you're kidding or not, but I may do that in the future if I have multiple interviews so I can distinguish which facilities were shady or not. I did laugh at the suggestion, though.

MunoRN, RN · Sep 30, 2015

To be honest, I would find it a bit odd; it would cause be to be curious as to the severity of the short term memory deficits this applicant has that requires them to take notes during an interview or to remember what questions they have for us.

Farawyn · Sep 30, 2015

To be honest, I would find it a bit odd; it would cause be to be curious as to the severity of the short term memory deficits this applicant has that requires them to take notes during an interview or to remember what questions they have for us.

Agree. Research the job you want well and have your questions prepared in your mind. Practice an interview with a friend. Lean forward and make good eye contact.

Blah de blah and so on...

Anna S, RN · Sep 30, 2015

I always take notes at interviews.