If it can't be written down easily, it may as well not have happened

When preparing for an interview or a performance review, remind yourself that if something can't be easily written down as you describe it, then it may as well not have happened. The reason for this is simple: after listening to many conversations, the people doing the assessment are only going to reliably remember what they've written down; everything else is prone to be forgotten, even with the best intentions.

Given this reality, you can help yourself by making it obvious how to succinctly take notes on what you're saying. This maximizes your chances of being evaluated based on everything you share.

Remember that people will only advocate for you and what you've done if they can offer skeptics clear examples and counterpoints. So, make it easy for them during the debrief, even if you're no longer fresh on their minds.