How to Be The Interviewee

How to Be The Interviewee

Photo by Sam McGhee on Unsplash

Here at MessageMakers, we interview a lot of people. Quite frankly, it's one of our favorite parts of what we do. We love getting to meet and learn from all different kinds of interesting people. That being said, we understand that talking in front of the camera can be stressful and nerve-wracking, especially if you don't do it very often. We've seen it all... from sweaty palms to cracking voices – but it doesn't have to be like that! We're here to help you say what you want to say, and feel great doing it.

Here are some tips on how to get interviewed:

  1. Pick simple clothing that you feel comfortable in. Bright colors and crazy patterns don't tend to photograph well. If you're not sure what to wear, bring a couple different shirts or jackets and we'll help you make a final choice.
  2. We always say to pretend you're talking to a friend at a bar and that you're just having a conversation. Ignore the camera, we're just here to talk and hear your story!
  3. Always try to be a little bit more enthusiastic than normal so your voice doesn't come off monotone in the video and you don't sound as if you're not engaged in the conversation.
  4. Don't wear clinky jewelry, such as necklaces, bracelets or dangly earrings that make noise because the microphone will pick up the sound when you move. Also, wearing a blazer or a cardigan can be beneficial in clipping and hiding your microphone cable!
  5. That being said, filming can get warm! Lights give off heat, and film crews often have to turn off air handling and shut doors to eliminate excess noise. Don't be afraid to ask for a break or a water if you think it would help!
  6. Be authentic and be yourself! Try to open up about the topic at hand and focus on what you want to convey to your audience with your words.
  7. If you are wearing makeup, remember less is more! And whether you wear makeup or not, you may want to blot your face with a tissue before the interview to absorb oil and cut shine.
  8. Always (always!) check your teeth before the camera starts rolling.
  9. If you do make notes, keep them high level. Reading answers off of a cheat sheet never feels quite right – and you'll need to set the paper down anyway so that the audience doesn't hear the crinkling of the paper in the microphone. Also, if you're looking down we can't see your beautiful face!
  10. Your interview will be edited by professionals, so don't worry if you say "um," you stutter or don't know an answer right away. Take your time, and trust that we're here to help it all come together in the edit.

We hoped this tip sheet on how to get interviewed helped ease your interview jitters!

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