Can You Bring Notes to an Interview?
Yes, in most job interviews you can bring notes, and many interviewers expect a well-prepared candidate to have a few. Keep them short: the examples you want to mention, a few key facts and the questions you'd like to ask. Use them as reminders of your own points, not a script. If you're not sure the format allows notes, ask the interviewer or recruiter beforehand; it's a normal question.
“Notch helped me keep my talking points in view throughout my interviews. I could focus on the conversation without worrying about forgetting something I wanted to say.”
When notes are fine, and when to check
Notes are generally accepted in:
- Conversational interviews, in person or by video, with a hiring manager, recruiter or panel.
- Interviews about your experience, where you're asked for examples of your work.
- Final-stage and senior interviews, where you might discuss a plan or proposal you've prepared.
Check first, and follow the instructions you're given, for:
- Tests and assessments, such as written exercises, coding challenges or timed tasks. These usually have their own rules about what you can use.
- Case interviews, where some firms provide paper and expect you to work things out in the room.
- Any interview where you've been told not to use notes.
Notes are for remembering what you prepared, never for getting help during an assessment. If the rules say no notes or no outside help, don't use them.
How to ask whether you can bring notes
A short, open question is enough. You could ask the recruiter when the interview is arranged, or the interviewer at the start, for example: "I've prepared a few notes on examples and questions. Is it all right if I refer to them?"
Almost every interviewer will say yes. Asking also shows you've prepared.
What to put in your interview notes
- Three to five examples from your work, a few words each, to cover the questions you expect. For example, "Q3 launch: two weeks late, re-planned, shipped on time".
- Key numbers you want to get right, such as results, team sizes or budgets.
- Why this role and this company, in two or three points.
- Questions to ask the interviewer about the role, the team and next steps.
- Practical details, like the interviewers' names and when the interview is due to end.
Keep it to a page, or a short list on screen. The less there is, the easier it is to find a point at a glance.
How to use notes without reading from them
- Know your examples well enough that one word brings back the whole story.
- Glance down, then look back at the interviewer and talk. Don't read full sentences.
- Look at your notes between questions, not while the interviewer is speaking.
- If you need a moment, say so: "Let me check my notes, I wanted to mention one example." It's perfectly normal.
Notes in video interviews
In a video interview, the main difference is where your eyes go. Notes on the desk or a second screen pull your gaze away from the camera. Put your notes on the screen right under your webcam, so a glance still looks like you're facing the interviewer.
A teleprompter app helps with this. Notch for Mac and Windows shows your own talking points at the top of your screen, next to the camera, and can follow your voice as you go through them. Practise with it while you prepare, so on the day it simply reminds you of what you planned to say. To try the idea first, paste your points into the free online teleprompter, and read how to use a teleprompter for setup tips.
Frequently asked questions
Is it unprofessional to bring notes to an interview?
No. A few prepared notes usually come across as organised and interested in the role. What looks unprepared is reading answers word for word or searching through pages while the interviewer waits.
Can I use notes in a video interview?
Usually, yes, on the same terms as in person. Keep them short, place them near your camera so you don't look away for long, and don't try to hide them. If you're unsure, ask the recruiter or interviewer beforehand.
Should I tell the interviewer I have notes?
It's courteous and normal to mention it, for example "I've jotted down a few points and questions, I hope that's fine." In person, putting a notepad on the table says the same thing.
Can I read my answers from a script?
It's better not to. Interviews are conversations, and scripted answers sound rehearsed and don't adapt to the question. Keep notes to a few words per point, so they remind you of an example and leave you to tell it in your own words.
Can I use notes in an assessment or test?
Only if the instructions allow it. Written tests, coding exercises, case assessments and other evaluations often have their own rules. Follow them, and ask if they aren't clear.
Can I take notes during the interview?
Yes. Writing down a name, a detail about the role or a question you want to come back to is normal. Keep it brief, so you stay in the conversation.