Why immediately
In a day you'll forget half the questions and nuances — and those are the most valuable material: what was asked, where you wobbled, what the recruiter promised. These notes help you do better next time and judge an offer soberly.
What to capture
The questions you got. Especially the ones you stumbled on — that's your personal study list for next time.
Where it was hard. Honestly note where you lacked knowledge or answered past the question. No self-flagellation — just growth points.
Promises and agreements. "We'll get back by Friday," "they'll send a take-home," "next round is with the CTO." You'll need this to follow up correctly.
Your impressions. Did you like the team? Did anything about the process worry you? Write while it's fresh — later you'll rationalize and forget the first feeling.
Any offer details mentioned. If numbers, a range, or terms came up, record them verbatim.
Format
Keep it simple: five lines in your phone notes right after the call. Template:
Company / role / date
Questions I stumbled on:
What was promised and when:
Impression (1-10) and why:
What to brush up for next time:
Checklist
- Hard questions written down
- Promises and deadlines captured
- First impression of the team noted
- Any offer details mentioned saved