How to Effectively Conduct an Interview

The silence was deafening. You asked a question, expecting a flow of insightful responses, but instead, your interviewee freezes up. How do you salvage such a moment? This is one of the many challenges interviewers face, yet it is also where some of the greatest interviewers shine. They turn these awkward pauses into moments of brilliance by carefully guiding the conversation in subtle yet powerful ways. But this is not something learned overnight; it’s a skill honed through trial, error, and the ability to listen actively.

Most people assume that a good interview is a well-oiled machine where the interviewer asks questions and the interviewee answers smoothly. Yet, if you look at the best interviews conducted by figures like Oprah, Tim Ferriss, or even Howard Stern, you'll notice something entirely different. These interviews often start with unpredictability, sometimes hitting unexpected bumps, but eventually, they become deeply revealing and, more importantly, engaging. This isn’t by chance—these interviewers don’t rely on perfect scripts, but rather on something much more essential: connection.

Imagine this: you’ve done all your preparation, your research is spot-on, and your questions are thought-provoking. Yet, the interview feels flat, like it's just going through the motions. Why? Because no matter how good your questions are, the magic of an interview lies in active listening. When you're genuinely tuned in, something shifts. Suddenly, the conversation takes unexpected turns, revealing deeper insights about your subject that even they may not have expected.

Active listening doesn’t just mean hearing words; it involves absorbing, processing, and sometimes even changing the course of the interview based on those responses. It's how the best interviewers avoid robotic question-answer formats and turn interviews into real conversations. But how do you cultivate this skill? Here are some critical strategies:

1. Preparation is key—but don’t cling to it. Yes, you need to know your subject, have questions prepared, and understand the context of the interview. However, don’t let your preparation trap you into rigidly sticking to your script. Be flexible enough to abandon a line of questioning if a more interesting direction emerges from the interviewee’s responses.

2. Ask open-ended questions. The best questions invite elaboration, contemplation, and storytelling. A simple "yes" or "no" answer doesn’t tell you anything valuable. Instead, ask questions like "How did that experience shape your perspective?" or "What were the emotions you felt during that time?"

3. Let silence do the work. This is one of the hardest things for an interviewer to master, but it’s also one of the most powerful. After asking a question, allow the interviewee to think. Sometimes they need a few seconds to formulate a thoughtful response. Jumping in to fill the silence can rob them of the chance to share deeper insights.

4. Follow-up questions matter. Sometimes, the real gold comes after the first answer. If an interviewee gives you a surface-level response, don’t hesitate to dig deeper. Asking "Why do you think that is?" or "Can you elaborate on that?" can uncover stories and details that weren’t initially shared.

5. Non-verbal cues are critical. Eye contact, nodding, and facial expressions are non-verbal ways of showing you're engaged. When the interviewee sees you're fully present, they’re more likely to open up and share more authentically. These cues also help you gauge their comfort level and adjust your approach accordingly.

Now, let’s dive into a specific moment that shows the power of listening and flexibility in interviews. Take the famous 2015 Tim Ferriss interview with Jamie Foxx. What started as a traditional Q&A about Foxx’s career quickly turned into something much deeper. At one point, Foxx began discussing his experiences with racism and self-doubt—subjects he hadn’t initially intended to explore in detail. Ferriss, instead of sticking to his prepared questions, leaned into the moment, asking more open-ended questions and giving Foxx the space to elaborate. As a result, the interview went viral, with people praising its raw, real, and deeply emotional content.

Creating this kind of connection requires practice and patience. You can't force someone to reveal themselves. Instead, by being patient, listening deeply, and letting the conversation evolve naturally, you create a space where interviewees feel comfortable enough to open up. This leads to the most compelling, insightful, and memorable interviews—the kind that resonate with audiences long after they’ve finished listening or reading.

But what about the logistics of conducting a great interview? Here’s a breakdown of essential steps you should follow:

Step	Description
1. Research Thoroughly	Understand your interviewee’s background, career, and personality. Familiarize yourself with their recent work or thoughts.
2. Prepare Flexible Questions	Craft questions that are open-ended but don't rely on sticking strictly to them—be ready to deviate based on the interviewee’s responses.
3. Set the Tone Early	Start with a friendly, easy-going question to ease the interviewee into the conversation. Avoid starting with overly complex or probing questions.
4. Be Present	Stay engaged throughout the interview. Active listening is critical for identifying opportunities for deeper conversation.
5. Know When to Pivot	If a question isn’t yielding interesting answers, or the interviewee seems uncomfortable, switch topics or adjust your approach.
6. Wrap Up Effectively	Conclude by giving the interviewee a chance to share anything they feel wasn’t covered. It leaves them feeling more satisfied with the experience.

The Role of Body Language

Another often overlooked element of conducting effective interviews is body language. Even in non-visual formats like phone or podcast interviews, the tone of your voice can convey confidence, openness, and interest.

In face-to-face interviews, maintaining eye contact, leaning slightly forward, and nodding at appropriate times signals engagement and encourages the interviewee to keep talking. On the flip side, if you appear distracted or disinterested, the interviewee may start giving shorter, less thoughtful responses.

But even more than body language, the tone of the interview plays a massive role in determining its success. Are you setting a comfortable, conversational tone, or is it too formal and stiff? The goal is to strike a balance: keep it professional yet personal enough to invite vulnerability.

In some ways, you should think of interviews like chess. You’re not just asking questions—you’re planning moves ahead, always thinking about where the conversation could go and how you can guide it while still allowing the interviewee the freedom to express themselves.

By combining a focus on listening, flexibility, and tone, you’ll find yourself conducting interviews that are far more engaging and insightful, whether you’re interviewing celebrities, experts, or everyday people with incredible stories to share.