Try Taking Notes to Answer Interview Questions Better

Once you've made it past the gatekeeper and landed your interview, it's time to devise your interview strategy. You already know to dress the part, relax and make eye contact, but here's something else that might help, take notes. This doesn't mean you need to employ calculus-level note-taking skills, but a few notes can help you provide better answers to tricky interview questions.

Get Permission First

There are a few etiquette rules you need to follow when taking notes during a job interview. Most importantly, get permission before the interview starts. Most interviewers don't mind, but never assume this is the case. Also, don't forget to make good eye contact. If you catch yourself staring at your notes during the interview, put your pen down and close the notebook. If you need information from your notes, open the notebook long enough to glance at your notes, but then close it again. Doing this helps condition you not to look at your notes when you should be looking at the interviewer.

Be Prepared

Taking notes during the interview is helpful, but it is also helpful to have a few things already written down when you get there. Write down key elements from the job description and anything you want to remember from your company research. It is also a good place to keep a list of questions you want to ask the interviewer at the end of the interview.

Hit the Right Details

Before the questions start, the interviewer generally provides a few details about the job and the company. During this part, take notes about anything that seems important. Later, tailor your answers to hit as many of the important points as possible. If needed, glance at your notes for a reminder of what was said. You probably don't even need your notes once they are written down, as the act of writing itself locks the information in your mind.

Take a Breather

If a question has you stumped, don't panic. Ask for a moment to organize your thoughts and take notes about whatever comes to mind. It not only gives you a chance to take a breather and settle your nerves, but according to the Wall Street Journal, writing by hand activates parts of your brain associated with thinking and memory. In other words, the act of writing itself is just as beneficial as whatever is being written.

As long as you maintain eye contact and stay focused, taking notes is an important part of a good interview strategy. Use note-taking to remember important details and to activate your brain. After the interview, you can even use your notes to help you craft the all-important post-interview thank you note.

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