Yes you can, provided you are doing so for the right reasons. Notes are appropriate if they contain questions or points of discussion stemming from your research about the role and/or organisation, or if they are a summary of key content from your CV you want to highlight during your interview.
Taking notes can be acceptable if you want to jot down important points about your role or something else. Also, ensure you check with the interviewer before you begin taking notes. Does bringing notes create a bad impression? No, it doesn't.
Write down key figures and other small snippets, not whole answers. “You don't want to sound like you're just reading,” she says. Meanwhile, Eonnet discourages keeping any notes in front of you at all. “The best interviews are conversations and notes can become a crutch,” Eonnet says.
Make Notes to Bring with You
It is a good idea to put together some general notes, so that you can review these once you know the actual presentation topic. On the day, you will have a set amount of time to prepare. This is usually less than thirty minutes, so accessible notes are key to performing well.
Taking your phone out during an interview can look rude or unprofessional, and it can distract you or the interviewer from the conversation. If possible, it's a good idea to write your notes out on paper before the interview instead. Related: What is an interview panel?
2) Don't read pre-script
I know, it's tempting. I mean you can phrase the perfect elegant response to common questions and already know exactly how to tie in your experiences and key achievements and the recruiter won't even notice! Spoiler alert, we do, unless of course you have a teleprompter right above your camera.
Unlike in-person interviews, Zoom interviews allow you to refer to notes during the interview. As you prepare, write down important points and questions on Post-it notes. While you don't want to be reading out a script, these small notes can help cue you to stay focused and on task while you're interviewing.
It's perfectly acceptable to look at notes that you've prepared before the interview and notes that you write during your interview, but avoid reading from your notes verbatim.
It's a good idea to ask your interviewer whether they mind you referring to your notes during the interview. They're likely to be ok with this and might appreciate you considering their preference. If they say no, keep confident. Revise your notes before the interview, so you're not dependent on them.
Limit your use of hand gestures
While hand gestures are an effective and natural way to communicate, be wary of using them excessively. Using a wide variety of gestures repeatedly can in fact make you appear confused or restless – and may distract your interviewer from what you are saying.
The best way to read from notes without drawing attention is to use sticky notes. By placing sticky notes around your monitor or webcam, you can flick your eyes a few inches to the side to read a note instead of down at your lap. If you do this subtly, the interviewer won't even notice that you have notes at all.
Sometimes, an interviewer may stop an interview shortly after a few questions. If this happens, they may have expected different answers or decided that they might pursue other applicants. Consider emailing the interviewer, thanking them and asking if you could provide them with any additional information.
The STAR method is a structured manner of responding to a behavioral-based interview question by discussing the specific situation, task, action, and result of the situation you are describing.
If you need something in your hands to keep you focused, consider holding a pen. You could also use the pen to take notes during the discussion if required — so keep a pad handy, too. If you are too fidgety, you will distract your interviewer, taking her focus off your reply.
Prepared answers
You should prepare answers before your interview but don't bring notes of written answers. Practice some common interview questions so that you will feel more prepared during your meeting.
Being confident can definitely get you way ahead of others competing for the same job position. And a smile is the best symbol of confidence. Not only does it create a good impression on the interviewer but it can also make you happy and feel positive during the interview.