You’ve got an idea you want to pursue for your final project, but you’re unsure of how to proceed. An expert who has walked a similar path can help. You’re doing research for your final project, but you need to better understand the subject through a lived experience. An expert who is working on the front lines and is living the subject you’re researching can help. For your final project to work, you need a quote or a testimonial or a collection of interviews. You guessed it: an expert can help.

No matter what you’re doing for your final project, you’re going to need the help of subject matter experts. Now’s the time to do it.

Conduct Your Own Interviews

  1. Identify the experts. You can contact 100 people and maybe only one or two will return your message. That’s okay! Every interview can help. Where can you find an expert on your topic? Check social media, university/academic publications, media articles, local associations or government agencies.
  2. Write an email template that briefly introduces yourself, states your purpose, outlines what you would like to interview them about and adds a timeframe or set of dates to connect.
  3. Set an interview time. With any response:
    • Research the expert further.
    • Outline the intended focus and goal of the interview (preparing and providing sample questions if requested).
    • Set a date, time and method for conducting the interview.
    • Remind the interviewee a day before and restate the topic you will be discussing.
  4. Prepare five to ten questions. Don’t ask the obvious questions that can be found by conducting a Google search, unless you need a specific quote from a specific expert to help demonstrate a point. Take the time to settle on the right questions, realizing you can only ask so many and that most interviews don’t last for more than 30 minutes. Equally, don’t lock yourself into your pre-prepared questions. Be open to asking questions that come up during the interview, allowing for a more organic, insightful and revealing conversation.
  5. Test your interviewing method and have all materials ready.
  6. Record the interview in order to review what you learned and ensure you quote the interviewee accurately.
  7. Thank the interviewee before and at the end of your interview. It’s important to recognize and appreciate when someone is generous with their time.
  8. Create a transcript of the conversation and highlight important information. Research the answers you received to separate fact from opinion (if the interview is focused on experiences, rather than knowledge, this is less relevant) and/or be sure to interview a different expert, to add supporting or competing information to your quiver.
  9. Send a follow-up thank you message and briefly follow-up on your progress to let them know what specifically they helped you with.

Reflect and improve upon each interview you conduct. Ask yourself which questions elicited the best responses. Ask yourself which questions fell flat. Ask yourself which questions you didn’t ask that you wish you did, so you’re aware of a gap that you need to fill during a future interview.

Reflect on the interviewee. Not every interview will be successful. Some interviewees aren’t able to speak freely (due to government, company or organizational policies) and some will try to sell or spin a specific position, failing to actually answer your question in full, whether you realize it at the time or not. Use these reflections to help weigh the validity of the information you received and to help you determine future interview requests.

Why do interview skills matter?

  1. Job interviews: This one is obvious. Interview skills are crucial for job seekers, as a well-executed interview can make the difference between getting the job or not. Interview skills can help individuals communicate their strengths and abilities effectively, answer questions with confidence and make a positive impression on potential employers.
  2. Communication skills: Interview skills are fundamental to good communication. The same skill set helps with asking good questions, learning to listen actively and understanding how to respond thoughtfully. It can also spark curiosity and interest in something new!
  3. Research skills: Interview skills are essential to good research and good research matters in most careers, including journalism, investment banking and the social sciences. A good interview can elicit valuable information, insights and perspectives that might not be available through other sources.
  4. Networking: Networking is an important skill in many professions, and interview skills can help individuals make connections and build relationships with potential employers, clients, mentors and colleagues.
  5. Self-reflection: Interview skills can help individuals reflect on their own experiences, values and goals. By practicing self-reflection through interviews, individuals can gain a better understanding of themselves and their strengths, and use this information to make informed decisions about their lives and careers.