Hey Hackers!
If you want to be a well-rounded writer, you’ll need to learn some skills that go beyond writing. SEO research, social media outreach, and – interviewing.
Imagine that you get the opportunity to interview someone who is crucial to one of your stories. What do you do? What questions do you ask? How do you not blow your chance?
To become a great interviewer, let’s take some lessons from one of today’s best interviewers, Hot Ones host Sean Evans. Sean has had a who’s who of celebrities on his show, and he always wows them with his questions and interviewing style. So, let’s take a look at 3 things he does best.
1. Research Your Subject
This is one of the most crucial aspects of being a good interviewer, and it’s one of the first things you should be doing. Scour the internet to find info on your subject; look far and wide.
Depending on how well-known your subject is, this can be tricky. If they’re well-known and have done other interviews in the past, take a look at all of them. Any interviews, articles, or videos that you can find of them are nuggets of information that you should be using to learn as much as you can about them.
Find out their professional background, their interests, and any special quirks about them. For example, find out where they went to school or where they worked previously. Discover what they like to do in their off-time: golfing, going to the movies, etc. If they mention any funny stories or anecdotes, take note of them.
But if you’re interviewee isn’t exactly well-known, don’t fret. There is still research you can do. Look up their LinkedIn/any social media. Using this, you’ll still be able to learn enough about them.
P.S. One of the most important things to research is how to pronounce their name. If you show up to the interview and mispronounce their name right off the bat, they’ll think you did absolutely zero research. Even if you’re positive you know how to say it, it’s always best to double-check.
2. Stay Cool, Calm, and Collected
It doesn’t matter if you’re talking to a local person on the street or talking to Tom Cruise; interviewing someone can be nerve-wracking. But remember this: you are in control of this interview. So, you have to keep your wits about you.
They took time out of their day to answer your questions, and not only that, they put their faith in you that you knew what you were doing.
If you are nervous or flustered, it’s okay. But try not to show it to your subject because they’re expecting you to be a professional, even if this is your first time ever interviewing someone.
Plus, there’s a good chance that they are also nervous. If you’re both panicking, who’s going to steer the ship?
3. Be Flexible
Okay, you’ve done your research, have your questions all prepared, and have hidden your nervousness deep inside of you. All set, right? Nope. Here comes the most important tip of them all. If you remember nothing about this article, at least remember this: be flexible. This is the most important aspect of being a good interviewer.
For example, let’s say you have 4 questions you want to ask your subject: Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4.
If, while answering Q1, they also answer Q2 and Q3 at the same time, just move on. Don’t be so stiff that you still ask them Q2 and Q3. They already inadvertently answered them, and it makes it look as if you weren’t paying attention to what they were talking about.
Another good example is this: If they’re answering Q1 and start talking about something that could easily transition into Q4, skip Q2 and Q3, and just jump straight into Q4. You can always backtrack to Q2 and Q3 later if you think it’s worth your while.
And finally, don’t be afraid to come up with questions on the spot. Sometimes, your subject will start talking about something that you did not prepare for at all. Don’t be afraid to venture off your list of questions and ask some follow-up questions about this new topic.
Your well-researched list of questions should be a guide, not a prison.
For an example of a good interview, check out this interview HackerNoon CEO David Smooke conducted with Avi Schiffmann, CEO of Friend.com.
Sean Evans implements these 3 tips flawlessly into every interview, and you can too. We can’t wait to see you become the interviewer you were meant to be.
That’s it for next week. Until next time!
The HackerNoon Team
