Parents: Candidate who takes notes during interview, pro or con?

[Anonymous]

I have a very important interview scheduled for tomorrow morning and I am taking extra care to be especially prepared for it. I would like to take notes during the interview so that I don't forget any important information that is exchanged. I will maintain professionalism and use eye contact at appropriate intervals. We are meeting in a public place (without the children) so it's not like I will be taking notes in lieu of paying attention to the children.

So my questions to parents is this: Do you view a note-taking nanny in a positive manner, a negative manner, or neutrally? In the past I haven't taken notes during interviews and if it will make me look scatterbrained or appear negative in any way then I don't have to do it. Any input is appreciated. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

MB here. Wouldn't bother me at all if you took notes. I think I'd see it as a sign that you were taking things seriously. I'd probably also take note of what you were writing down though!

If you're uneasy, or if you want to address it, you could always say something like "I hope you don't mind if I take a few notes. It helps me make sure I don't forget any important information." I think if you said that to me in an interview I'd be kind of impressed with your professionalism and how seriously you were taking the interview.

Good luck w/ the interview!

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the response. Yes, I am planning on saying something along the lines of "I hope you don't mind if I take notes." or "Do you mind if I take notes?".

[Anonymous]

I always bring a notepad to an interview and so far have a perfect record (every family I've ever interviewed with in ten years has asked me back for a second interview/trial day). As I'm often speaking with several prospective families at once, I take care not to confuse the details of each one. I also jot down anything I may need to learn more about should I continue with the family (special needs/diet/religion I need to research). I always write a few questions down beforehand so I remember to cover everything and that way I can jot down short answers while keeping up conversation with the parents. I think it shows I'm prepared and serious about my work.

[Anonymous]

MB here. I would be very impressed if you took notes in the interview.

Good luck on your interview!

[Anonymous]

I have tried the note thing but haven't found it useful. I find it distracting but maybe that's because I have a really good memory.

[Anonymous]

I have tried the note thing but haven't found it useful. I find it distracting but maybe that's because I have a really good memory.

[Anonymous]

Parents always look at someone taking notes as someone that is serious about the position and someone who is organized, which is a quality they are usually looking for in a nanny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for the response. Yes, I am planning on saying something along the lines of "I hope you don't mind if I take notes." or "Do you mind if I take notes?".

Just mention that you would like to keep track of all the main details of the position to help you keep track of which position is which. Nothing worse than thinking Family A had 3 yr old twins and a 5 yr old and Family B having twin 5 yr olds and a 3 yr old when it is the other way around! Or when the schedules start to get confusing, different job duties for each position you are interviewing for, keeping track of rates/benefits being offered and so on.

[Anonymous]

MB here - I always take notes during my job interviews and would appreciate a candidate who did the same.

[Anonymous]

Nanny here. Yes, I love my notebook when I interview potential families. Good to document things they say.

[Anonymous]

I'd sort of be surprised if someone didn't take notes. (I've only ever had one nanny.)

[Anonymous]

OP here -- went on the interview, took notes, and I'm happy I did because there was a wealth of information. My only concern was that I was writing so far and there was so much information coming at me that my notes were completely unorganized. I was writing things all over the paper and not in the neatest handwriting (I was writing very quickly and trying to maintain lots of eye contact). I am an organized person and the first thing I did when the interview was over was re-write the notes in an organized fashion. Now I'm just worried that I came off as completely unorganized because of my note taking. What do you think?

[Anonymous]

I don't think anyone was judging how you took notes. Most people who take notes in any field have their own system for doing so - mine involves a lot of bolded boxes, arrows, and sometimes doodles, and the number one quality former managers list in my pro column are my organizational skills. I'm sure the parents didn't draw any conclusions from the WAY you took notes.

[Anonymous]

Who has time to think about your note-taking style?
Where's your book?