How Not To Ask Video Interview Questions

DSC04706.jpeg

The interviewer is just as important as the subject since they are the one directing the flow of the conversation. The interviewer is focused on hitting all the main points they need to cover while keeping the conversation natural.

Here’s how not to ask interview questions:

  • Be sure to avoid eye contact. Before they finish answering, look down at your notes so you’re ready for the next question. Rush to get all the questions answered before the end of the interview.
  • Instead of a two-way conversation, focus on getting the right answers to all your questions.
  • Show up late. When they arrive, spend an hour moving the camera, adjusting with the microphone and rearranging the chairs to get just that right feeling. Make the situation fits your needs and schedule.
  • Yes/No answer questions. Ask questions that require one word answers without any explanation.

The more uncomfortable and unnatural your subject feels, the less likely they are to give you stellar sound bites.

Here’s what you could do instead:

Interviewing someone should be as natural as a conversation -- you just need to guide your subject to keep things moving in right direction!

Have the interviewer:

Meet the subject before the interview

DSC04728.jpeg

People get excited planning their interview -- it’s their moment to shine! But if they don’t connect with the interviewer on the shoot day, they may feel reluctant to open up. Interviewing with someone they know will make sharing their story more comfortable.

Have a great first question to get the ball rolling

Ask questions about what drives them: “What is it about ___________ that gets you out of bed in the morning?” Their reaction to the first question will set the tone for the whole interview!

Have themes

Interviews are not just about answering questions -- they’re conversations. Topics will come up that you hadn’t planned for -- and this is great! But to make sure you cover everything, know the general themes and steer the conversation when it gets off-topic.

Show up early and be prepared ahead of time with questions

Just like the lights, camera and microphone need to be ready, so do you! Before the interviewee arrives, get comfortable and confident about guiding the conversation and listening deeply. Like a mirror, your energy will affect the quality of the response from the interviewee!

Open ended questions

Ask questions requiring in-depth, thoughtful responses, like “Why does __________ matter?” or “What is the biggest barrier to success?” Encourage them to search their heart and mind, not just give facts.

Encourage the interviewee to say more about something you sense they have a passion for

When your interviewee gets excited about a topic, ask questions like “Tell me more about that?” or “What was that like for you?” Be open to opportunities to dig deeper -- their responses may be the best parts of the interview!

Conclusion

Approach your next video interview like a conversation instead of a scripted commercial. By being prepared and using these techniques, you are guaranteed to get great responses.

To learn more about the power of interviews to position yourself as an expert, sign up for our mailing list


jesse profile_byline_web.jpeg

Jesse Barlow is a media arts professional with DocuKnowledge, a full service video production company that provides a safe and loving space to capture and deliver your expert knowledge through video.