How to Prepare Notes for the Host Side of an Interview

Interviews, whether in person or online, are like a conversation where both sides share information. While we usually focus on the person being interviewed, the host or interviewer is just as important in making the conversation go well. Behind every good interview, there’s a lot of preparation. A big part of this is making good notes.

Making notes isn’t just about writing down a few questions. It’s about planning so the interview goes smoothly, covers everything important, and leaves everyone feeling good.

So, if you’re new to interviewing or have done it a lot, let’s learn how to make notes for the host’s side of an interview.

Before the Interview: Do Your Homework

Think of your notes like a toolbox, and the first tool you need is research. Knowing about the person you’ll interview, what they’ve done, and why you’re interviewing them helps you ask good questions and make smart comments.

Start by looking at what you can find about the person online. Their website, social media, articles they wrote, and any past interviews can tell you a lot. Look at their career, what they’re good at, and any recent news about them or their field.

Also, learn about the reason for the interview. Is it part of something bigger? What are the main topics you want to talk about? Knowing these things helps you make notes that fit the interview’s goals.

Lastly, talk to people you know who might have more information about the person you’ll interview. The more you know, the better questions you can ask.

Make Good Questions: The Key to Your Notes

Now that you’ve done your research, it’s time to focus on the questions. The questions you ask will guide the interview, get useful information, and keep people interested.

Start by writing down possible questions based on your research. Think about the main topics you want to cover and anything specific you’re curious about. Try to have a mix of open-ended questions (where they can give longer answers) and closed-ended questions (for quick facts).

Once you have a list, check your questions. Make sure they’re clear, short, and relate to the interview. Don’t use confusing words or technical terms. Remember, you want a good conversation, not to trick the person.

Organize Your Notes: Make a Plan for the Interview

With your questions ready, organize them in a way that makes sense. It’s like making a map for your interview, guiding you through different topics so everything flows well.

You can start with a short intro to welcome the person and explain the interview. Then, go into your main questions, grouping them by topic. Leave space for follow-up questions based on their answers.

As you organize, think about the interview’s pace. You want to cover everything without rushing or making the person feel overwhelmed. Leave time for pauses and be ready to change things up depending on their answers.

More Than Questions: Other Things to Think About

Questions are important, but there are other things to prepare. These can make you even more ready and help the interview go well.

You can include a short bio of the person in your notes. This helps you introduce them and gives some background. You can also add any interesting quotes from their past interviews.

Think about using pictures or things to show during the interview. If you’re talking about a project, having visuals can help explain things. If it’s an online interview, get any presentations ready beforehand.

Lastly, leave space in your notes to write down your own thoughts during the interview. These can be useful for asking more questions later or remembering things.

Interview Day: Use Your Notes

It’s interview day! Time to use your notes. They’ll help you, but be flexible too. The interview is a conversation, so you might need to change your questions or how fast you go based on their answers.

During the interview, look at your notes, but don’t read from them. Make eye contact, listen to their answers, and have a natural conversation.

Remember, your notes are a tool, not a script. Use them to stay on track, cover everything important, and have a good conversation.

In the End: Being Prepared is Key

Making good notes for an interview is really important for a successful conversation. By doing your research, making thoughtful questions, organizing your notes, and thinking about other details, you can make a plan that helps you through the interview and leads to a great conversation.

Remember, a good interview isn’t just about the questions, it’s about how you ask them. Be prepared, be curious, and show that you’re interested in the person. This will make the interview good for everyone.

Next steps: For more tips on doing interviews and building your brand, visit www.influencerr.tv.