Should I just stop overthinking this and write “student” and elaborate if someone asks because 1. it is a networking event geared at students so people will assume that’s what I am and 2. I *am* going to get a bachelors, this just happens to fall between enrollments because I decided to take the fall off to take more time to get a better handle on what I wanted to study and where I wanted to go.

My SO is in tech and that’s been his experience as well. I think it’s because there’s a lot of variance in tech. As someone who isn’t really a coder but has done some online courses here and there, I know I could struggle through a certification, scrape by, and still be essentially useless in a professional role, even though my resume would have the on-paper qualifications necessary. Computing degrees are somewhat more helpful, since each major has their own cut classes, but that doesn’t mean that the applicant will be well-suited for all jobs, or be able to do all jobs by the deadline they’re issued. So yeah, actually testing the candidates makes a lot of sense, to me.

Agreed with Cat– I think it is good to have something you can take notes on if needed (e.g., if you’re asked to send an additional writing sample, jot down the email address of the person you should send it to). But, I wouldn’t take extensive notes during the interview. I can’t think of a situation where a person writing throughout the interview wouldn’t be off-putting.

I’m more in tech, but I don’t think this is as true. Tech companies do a lot of coding exercises etc, and seem almost doubtful of the abilities you have on your resume. There’s also a lot of focus on your thought process, as well as what you’re saying – to put it bluntly, making sure you’re not a nerd who can’t talk to people.

I always took notes during my interviews. It made me look smart with my Day Planner open and me writing. Of course I never showed the interviewer what I was writing, but Dad says it made me appear serius. I recommend a tablet or a Day Planner with a nice pen. Men love it.