Taking notes during an interview

[cbebes]

I am about to go on my first in person interview and was wondering if it is appropriate to take notes during an interview? I have a list of questions to ask and wanted to got down some responses but I`m not sure of this etiquette.

[canigraduate]

Note taking is by definition for the purpose of augmenting memory, why else are you suggesting someone would be taking notes?

Augmenting memory and short term memory problems are totally different. Otherwise students wouldn't need to take notes in class, either. I've had interviews last upwards of an hour. That's a lot of info to keep crammed in your head.

Or do you suggest that people should have super memories and not need to take notes, period?

[madwife2002, BSN, RN]

I see a lot of people coming in for interviews in Flip Flops and odd clothes

I know everybody has their own personality and style but look at though you made an effort

Years ago I always prepared questions to ask and would ask if they minded if I could look at my list-They never minded

I am also quite expressive with my hands so for years I would take in a CV/Resume A4 size book and would hold it in my lap to remind me not to talk with my hands

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

I conduct many interviews. If every applicant decided to take notes we would be there all day. I have no problem giving the person time to think or re-phrasing questions. However, if that person decides to take notes I would expect that they are able to keep with the flow of the interview.

[canigraduate]

I conduct many interviews. If every applicant decided to take notes we would be there all day. I have no problem giving the person time to think or re-phrasing questions. However, if that person decides to take notes I would expect that they are able to keep with the flow of the interview.

LOL! This makes it sound like someone is writing pages of material.

Jotting down a few essentials doesn't take very long. That's what I mean by "notes." You know, not taking dictation, but writing down the important things (like expected hours, start times, expected ratios, education benefits, date to expect a call-back by, support personnel available, orientation length, contact info for the people you interview with, yada-yada.)

It's funny how such an innocuous subject has gotten people up on their high horses.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

Those types of things could be quickly jotted down at the end of the interview, not as we're asking the case studies. That seems like quite a lot to be honest.

We wouldn't be providing contact information to candidates either. Too many potential phone calls or emails.

[canigraduate]

We wouldn't be providing contact information to candidates either. Too many potential phone calls or emails.

Whuh? What kind of hiring do you do that you don't want to talk to people? That's just weird to me. I always get contact info so I can follow up with Thank Yous and in case HR screws up.

Frankly, I wouldn't work for you. Can't take notes and can't follow up - not sure you'd be any fun at all. Would I have to be a robot worker to be hired by you? Yuck.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

With the volume of applicants we have, we do not provide contact information unless a job offer has been extended, otherwise the phone calls/ emails would be overwhelming. Many employers don't offer contact information anymore for this reason.

I did not say you can't take notes, but the note taking needs to be within reason. There are more applicants than we need. It's an employers market.

[f1j1nurse]

Lmao..I stopped jotting down answers to her question as soon as I saw that. One of the other panel members was more brutal....she threw her application in the bin right after the interview!!