Are notes allowed?
Often, yes. Australia's public service guide lists what's okay at an interview. One item is to:
“take a copy of your application or other notes with you for quick reference.”
England's National Careers Service says that before you answer, you can refer to your notes if you need to. For phone interviews, it suggests prompt cards to have in front of you.
Amazon's recruiters and hiring managers recommend bringing notes to keep track of the stories you share in each interview. They suggest a pen too, to jot down questions to ask at the end.
Rules differ by employer. Some expect you to answer without any outside help. If you're not sure, ask the recruiter before the day.
What to put on one page
Keep it to one page, in large print, so a glance is enough. Write prompts, not sentences:
- Your stories: a short title and one number for each, such as "Waitlist: 9 weeks to 3".
- Likely questions, each with the story that answers it.
- The company in a few lines: what it does, something recent, and why you want to work there.
- Two or three questions to ask at the end.
- A box beside each story, to tick when you tell it.
Leave out full answers. If a line runs longer than one row, it's turning into a script.
The ticks matter on a day of several interviews. They stop you telling the next interviewer the same story.
Our guide on remembering your answers helps you learn the stories first, so the page only has to remind you.
How to use notes in the room
- Put the page on the table, face up, when you sit down.
- Mention it once: "I've jotted down a few notes, if that's okay."
- When a question comes, pause and glance at the page.
- Then look up, and tell the story to the person who asked.
- At the end, check the page for the questions you wanted to ask.
The panel takes notes too. In a structured interview, a panel of trained interviewers takes detailed notes on your answers. Then they rate you from those notes.
So a clear story with one number helps twice. It's easy for you to recall, and easy for them to write down.
Notes in video and phone interviews
On a call, notes are easier to use. For video interviews, the National Careers Service suggests you keep notes where you can see them. It even suggests splitting your screen, with prompt cards on one half.
Keep notes close to the camera, so your eyes don't drift far. Glance, then look back at the camera. A long look away is easy to spot.
For a recorded video interview, read the invitation first. It may say what's allowed. Our guide to one-way video interviews covers the rest.
What isn't okay
- Reading answers out. Notes are prompts. A follow-up question soon shows whether you know the story.
- Hidden help. Someone off camera, messages during the call, or a full script out of view.
- Live AI "copilots". Apps that listen to the question and show you an answer to read.
Employers are putting this in writing. Principal, a US financial company, says AI use is not permitted during interviews, live or recorded, unless it says otherwise.
It also expects candidates to show their abilities without help from AI tools, other people or outside resources. Breaking its rules may mean being dropped from the process.
That could cover notes too, so check the rules or ask. If you need notes because of a disability, ask for a reasonable accommodation early.
Using AI to prepare is different. Principal's own page encourages AI for interview practice.
A one-page note sheet
Here is a made-up note sheet for one interview. Every line is short enough to read in a glance.
Made-up example
Jordan, interviewing for a junior accountant job
The company
Story 1
Story 2
Story 3
Likely questions
To ask them
Told to
Every line is a prompt, not an answer. Jordan glances down, then tells the story in his own words.
Questions
Is it unprofessional to bring notes?
Not if you use them as prompts. Australia's public service guide says it's okay to take notes in for quick reference. Glance down, then look up and talk.
Should I ask before using notes?
Mention them once as you sit down. If the employer has strict rules, or you're not sure, ask the recruiter before the day.
Can I use notes in a video interview?
Often, yes. England's National Careers Service suggests keeping notes where you can see them. Keep them near the camera, and don't read from them.
Can I use AI during an interview?
Not unless the employer says so. Some ban it in live and recorded interviews, and may drop you from the process. Use AI to prepare instead.
Can I write notes during the interview?
Yes. Amazon's recruiters suggest a pen. Jot down questions to ask at the end, or points to make in your next interview.
Sources
Written by Seal the Offer from these pages, last checked on . Rules change, so check the employer's own page and the job ad before you apply.
- 7. The interview and other assessment: cracking the code · Australian Public Service Commission
- Interview tips · National Careers Service (England)
- Phone interview tips · National Careers Service (England)
- Video interview tips · National Careers Service (England)
- 11 Amazon interview tips from recruiters and hiring managers · Amazon
- Structured Interviews (training slides) · US Office of Personnel Management
- AI use in job applications: guidelines for candidates · Principal Financial Group