Case Interviews
How do I take case notes without missing what the interviewer says?
When I read a case by myself I can take notes fine. In a mock interview I get so focused on writing that I miss important background information and sometimes even the objective. How can I listen and take useful notes at the same time?
Ian’s Answer
Decide physical vs virtual - are you a faster typer or writer?
If virtual, pick the best tool - try outlook draft emails (so you can store/organize with your email), try notepad, try a tablet so you can write on it, etc....find the one that works for you
Only write down what is important - you should know this! You don't need to capture everything. Just like in a case, figuring out what information is not needed is just as valuable as figuring out what information is needed.
And then, what you do write down, write it in shorthand!
I.e. If I say "Your client is Bills Bottles. They earn $800M in profits each year by manufacturing bottles to soda companies in the US and Europe. Over the past two years they've seen profits falling and have brought you in to investigate"
You should write:
Bills Bottles
Manufacture
Client = soda comp
800M P
P [down arrow] 2 yrs
US + Europe
Obj: Fix P
If you must, skip - If you miss something, put a line or x or? in that spot. Ask it when repeating the info back to the interviewer