Here’s a survival guide to interviewing

• Be prepared: Here’s a checklist to help you plan (Notion Template)

• Listen more than talk: Aim for an 80/20 ratio (participant talks 80% of the time)

• Silence is okay: Count to 5 before filling awkward pauses - participants often continue with valuable insights

• Follow the energy: If a participant is excited or frustrated about something, explore that area more deeply

• Stay neutral: Avoid leading questions or reactions that might bias responses

• Record (with permission): Don't rely solely on memory or notes

• Emergency signal: If an interview is going off track, use the phrase "That's really helpful context" to reset and redirect to your guide