Introduction

As a hiring manager, it's essential to keep thorough interview notes on each candidate you meet. Not only does it help you remember the details of the conversation, but it also serves as a valuable reference when making your final hiring decision. In this article, we'll explore various examples of interview notes and provide tips on how to make the most of this valuable tool.

Why Keep Interview Notes?

Interview notes help you keep track of the following:

• What the candidate said during the interview

• How they responded to questions

• Their demeanor and body language

• Whether they would be a good fit for the company culture

• Any red flags or concerns that need to be addressed

What to Include in Interview Notes

Your interview notes should include:

• The candidate's name and contact information

• The date and time of the interview

• A summary of the candidate's experience and qualifications

• A list of the questions asked and the candidate's responses

• Any observations about the candidate's demeanor, communication style, and body language

• Your overall impression of the candidate

How to Take Effective Interview Notes

When taking interview notes, it's crucial to be organized and efficient. Here are some tips:

• Have a system for noting the candidate's responses, such as abbreviations or symbols

• Take notes during the interview, but avoid being so focused on writing that you miss what the candidate is saying

• Keep your notes brief and to the point

• Review your notes immediately after the interview while the information is still fresh in your mind

Examples of Interview Notes

Here are some examples of interview notes to give you an idea of what they can look like:

• Example 1: Simple Notes

• Candidate: John Doe

• Date: January 5, 2023

Summary:

• 5 years of experience as a software engineer

• Strong background in Python and Java

• Good communication skills

Questions:

• Tell me about your experience with Python

• What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced in your previous role

• How do you handle difficult coworkers

Responses:

• Has been using Python for 3 years

• Difficult coworkers was biggest challenge, handled by speaking with supervisor

• Good communication skills, able to handle conflict effectively

Impression:

• Good candidate, strong technical skills

• Good communication skills, handled conflict well

• Example 2: Detailed Notes

• Candidate: Jane Smith

• Date: January 10, 2023

Summary:

• 7 years of experience as a marketing manager

• Experience in both B2B and B2C marketing

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing

Questions:

• Can you walk me through a successful marketing campaign you led

• How do you measure the success of a marketing campaign

• Tell me about a time when you had to pivot a campaign mid-way

Responses:

• Led a successful B2B campaign for a SaaS company

• Measured success through website traffic, leads generated, and customer feedback

• Had to pivot a B2C campaign due to changes in target audience, able to pivot effectively and still meet goals

Impression:

• Experienced and knowledgeable marketer

• Strong analytical skills, able to measure success effectively

• Good problem-solving skills, able to pivot campaign effectively

Tips for Reviewing Interview Notes

When reviewing your interview notes, consider the following:

• Compare the candidate's responses to the job requirements

• Look for trends or patterns in the candidate's responses

• Consider your overall impression of the candidate

Best Practices for Storing Interview Notes

It's important to have a system for storing interview notes that is easily accessible and secure. Here are some best practices:

• Store notes in a secure location, such as a password-protected file or a cloud-based document

• Label each file with the candidate's name and date of the interview

• Make sure all team members who are involved in the interview process have access to the notes

• Keep all notes confidential and avoid sharing them with unauthorized personnel

Making the Hiring Decision

Your interview notes will play an important role in the final hiring decision. When making your decision, consider the following:

• The candidate's experience and qualifications

• Their responses to the interview questions

• Your overall impression of the candidate

• Whether they would be a good fit for the company culture

• Any red flags or concerns noted in the interview notes

Observations and Impressions

• Confident and articulate when speaking about their experience

• Engaged and asked thoughtful questions about the role and company culture

• Maintained good eye contact and body language throughout the interview

Details on Specific Skills, Achievements, and Experiences

• Proven track record of successfully managing multiple projects simultaneously

• Skilled in using PQR software and familiar with STU technology

• Received employee of the month award at previous company

Salary Expectations and Availability

• Expects a salary range of $60,000 to $65,000

• Available to start work in two weeks

Feedback from Other Team Members or References

• Positive feedback from previous manager on candidate's problem-solving skills and leadership ability

• Former coworker noted candidate's strong work ethic and attention to detail

Conclusion

In conclusion, taking and storing thorough interview notes is essential for making informed hiring decisions. By following the tips and best practices outlined in this article, you'll be able to make the most of this valuable tool. Don't forget to be organized, efficient, and systematic in your note-taking and to review your notes immediately after the interview. Happy hiring!

How Hume Can Help

Hume is a cutting-edge interview intelligence platform that can revolutionize the way you take and store interview notes. With Hume, you can:

• Record and transcribe interviews with ease

• Summarize interview notes automatically, saving you time and effort

• Access objective data about each candidate, including their responses to interview questions and overall demeanor

• Train interviewers to perform better by using the data generated by Hume to identify strengths and weaknesses

• Share interview notes with team members securely, streamlining the hiring process and reducing the risk of human error

• Store all interview notes in a secure, centralized location, ensuring that they are easily accessible and confidential.

By using Hume, you can take interview notes to the next level and unlock the full potential of your interview process. With more objective data, more efficient note-taking, and better training for interviewers, you can make better hiring decisions faster.