Pen and Paper vs. Digital Document

We have been interviewing via video conference for nearly 3.5 years now, and yet people still struggle with the digital whiteboard or shared document. I have written about when to use a digital whiteboard as well as common whiteboard fails in the past. But I want to re-visit it after watching a number of candidates struggle in recent weeks.

TL;DR - Avoid the digital document unless you are a master at it.

I now recommend using only pen and paper when you need to share your ideas during an interview (except for Google estimation questions - tables are still your best friend there). Why?

• You want to see your interviewer’s face and reaction, don’t waste your screen real estate.

• Pen (think Sharpie) and Paper let you show structure but don’t distract.

• I haven’t seen anyone use a digital whiteboard well EXCEPT with estimation questions. (Grids are your best friend.)

• Interviewers start to read your digital whiteboard and get impatient, often asking you questions before you are done

• 99% of people I see using “digital whiteboards” write long sentences, misusing the device as intended and screwing up their interviews.

I have debated with several candidates over this one, and they almost always go back to pen and paper. They have found more control, and it better replicates the old, in-person experience of sharing thoughts on a whiteboard. Yes, peeking your head over the paper isn’t ideal but it is still better than typing in a document, in my opinion.

One day we will truly be able to project on screen what we write on paper, but for now, the problems with tablets and video conferencing tools are too great. Go old-school with pen and paper.

Remember, we still have internet outages and technology hiccups regularly. Better to be safe than sorry.