Interview Pro Tips: Leveraging Notes for Success
Interviewing is all about planting ideas about who you are into the minds of the hiring team.
Ideally, everything you say, and how you present, convinces the interviewers that you are the right person to solve their problems.
The concept of "inception" is important to keep in mind as you interview, both from the perspective of the content of your answers and your executive presence.
First impressions matter a lot, and interviews are basically one big first impression.
Below is an easy peezy way to level up during interviews.
Here is the tip - Always bring a notebook or notes doc to your interviews.
It sounds overly simple but here is why it's so helpful:
1. Radiate Preparedness
Your notebook, and the act of taking notes,signal your charisma, dedication and readiness. It showcases you are prepared.
The mere presence of a notebook sends a clear message: you're serious, focused, and absolutely ready to rock this interview.
2. Use notes as a personal cue card
Interviews are about showcasing relevant skills, not testing your memory.
Having notes allows you to refer to key stories you want to share and reference questions you want to ask them.
Let your notes remind you to steer the conversation toward your strengths.
3. Capture relevant info
Immediately after an interview write down any relevant notes that can help you prepare for the next interview.
It should be info the team shared with you and/or notes on how to improve some of your answers.
Sometimes people black out during interviews because they are nervous.
So write things down while they are fresh. This way you help yourself get clarity and have reflections you can share in thank you emails.
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SIDE NOTE: Want to know the best questions to ask in interviews? Check out the workbook, specifically module 4.
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Moral of the story: Show up ready with notes to every interview.
Minimally write these things down:
Names of interviewers (with pronounciation tips) and their titles
Questions you want to ask them (pro tip - have more than you would have time to ask in case they answer some of your questions in advance)
Any references stories you want to insert into your answers to common questions
If it's a virtual interview, hold a pen and share that you will be taking notes if you look away from the camera. 😎
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