1 word, 8 letters,
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Jason asked the question “I take index cards with me when I go into an interview, that way I have my questions accessible. If I want to remember something that will get their attention, I have it written down.” Is that acceptable?
A wise person said “you never get a second chance to make a first impression."
Here are the rules of the game.
Ask permission
Asking permission to take notes makes a big difference with the interviewer. First it shows respect. Second it draws attention to what you are going to be doing. In other words, the interviewer is not surprised. Surprises are rarely in the candidates favor.
How important is the notebook?
When you are compiling your questions the night before and putting them in order, use index cards. Once you have your questions in place, transfer them to a leather bound notebook. One of the reasons for having a notebook in the interview is to jot down things that you want to remember and refer to in your thank you note.
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First impressions are critical.
If you have a leather bound notebook, make sure you have a fine pen. I have interviewed individuals who take out a pen and then find out it doesn’t have ink or skips. They ask me if I have a pen. I also have had individuals who have asked if I had a pencil sharpener. My suggestion is a fine silver pen without advertising. Don’t use a gold one, the reason is obvious. Montblanc or Cross.
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Learn how to take notes without losing eye contact with the interviewer.
Jot down a note. Don’t fill a page. Remember, the mind can only occupy one thought at a time. If you are writing, you are not listening. Also, if you look down, you disconnect with the interviewer.
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Never look down at your notebook when you are responding, only when you are asking questions.
What if you don’t want to take a notebook? Now you are saying to the interviewer “You are not going to say anything important or I want to remember. It’s like saying “I don’t have any questions.