The Best Techniques for Conducting Great Video Interviews

Some interviewers seem to have a natural ability to make people open up. Their conversations feel relaxed, thoughtful, and revealing; not because they dominate the discussion, but because they create the conditions for a meaningful exchange.

Here are the characteristics and techniques that make a strong video interviewer:

1. Genuine curiosity

The best interviewers are sincerely interested in people. They do not ask questions merely to move through a list; they want to understand how someone thinks, feels, works, and experiences the world.

Curiosity encourages better follow-up questions. Instead of immediately moving to the next topic, a curious interviewer notices something interesting and explores it.

For example:

- “What made that moment significant for you?”

- “You used the word ‘unexpected.’ What made it unexpected?”

- “Can you tell me more about what happened next?”

- “How did that change your perspective?”

Genuine curiosity also helps prevent an interview from sounding mechanical. Viewers can usually tell when an interviewer is asking a question because they truly want to know the answer.

2. Empathy and emotional awareness

Empathy allows an interviewer to understand what another person may be feeling and to respond appropriately. This is especially important when discussing personal, difficult, or vulnerable subjects.

An empathetic interviewer knows when to:

- Slow down

- Allow silence

- Change the wording of a question

- Acknowledge an emotional moment

- Avoid pushing too hard

- Give the interviewee time to collect their thoughts

Empathy does not mean avoiding challenging questions. It means asking them with care and respect.

Instead of saying:

> “Why did you fail?”

you might ask:

> “What did you learn from that experience, and how did it influence what you did afterward?”

The second question can still produce an honest answer, but it creates a more constructive and dignified space.

3. Active listening

Many interviewers are focused on asking their next question. Great interviewers are focused on listening to the current answer.

Active listening involves:

- Maintaining attentive eye contact with the camera or interviewee

- Not interrupting unnecessarily

- Noticing changes in tone or energy

- Listening for words that deserve further exploration

- Reflecting back what you heard

- Following the interviewee’s meaning rather than rigidly following your script

A useful technique is to briefly summarize an answer before asking a follow-up:

> “So, if I understand you correctly, the real challenge was not the lack of resources but the lack of confidence. Is that right?”

This demonstrates that you are engaged and gives the interviewee an opportunity to clarify or expand.

4. The ability to make people feel comfortable

People tend to give better interviews when they feel safe, respected, and understood. Creating that environment begins before the camera starts recording.

You can help interviewees relax by:

- Explaining the format in advance

- Telling them what kinds of topics you plan to cover

- Clarifying whether the interview is live or edited

- Giving them permission to pause or restart an answer

- Spending a few minutes chatting informally beforehand

- Reminding them that it is normal to feel nervous

During the interview, avoid making the person feel as though they are being tested. A warm introduction, calm tone, and occasional encouraging response can make a significant difference.

Simple phrases such as these are effective:

- “Take your time.”

- “That’s interesting—please continue.”

- “There’s no rush.”

- “That’s a really useful distinction.”

- “Would you like to explain that in more detail?”

5. Strong preparation without over-rehearsal

Good interviews require preparation, but preparation should not turn the conversation into a rigid questionnaire.

Before the interview, research:

- The person’s background

- Their work or area of expertise

- Previous interviews they have given

- Relevant achievements or controversies

- The audience’s likely interests

- The central purpose of the conversation

Prepare a short list of essential questions, along with optional follow-ups. It can be useful to organize them into three categories:

1. Opening questions to establish context and comfort

2. Core questions that address the main topic

3. Follow-up questions that help uncover detail, meaning, and personal insight

Your preparation should give you confidence, not prevent you from responding naturally.

6. Asking open and specific questions

Open-ended questions encourage fuller answers than questions that can be answered with “yes” or “no.”

Instead of asking:

> “Did you enjoy the experience?”

ask:

> “What did you enjoy most about the experience?”

Instead of:

> “Was the project difficult?”

ask:

> “What was the most difficult part of the project, and how did you handle it?”

The strongest questions are often both open and specific. Broad questions may produce vague answers, while overly narrow questions can limit the conversation.

Useful question starters include:

- “What led you to…?”

- “How did you decide…?”

- “What surprised you about…?”

- “What did that experience teach you?”

- “What do people often misunderstand about…?”

- “Can you give us an example?”

- “What happened after that?”

7. Asking thoughtful follow-up questions

Follow-up questions are often what transform an ordinary interview into a compelling one.

Listen for:

- Contradictions

- Emotional reactions

- Unusual details

- Important turning points

- General statements that need examples

- Words the interviewee emphasizes

- Topics they avoid or move past quickly

If someone says, “That was a difficult period,” you might ask:

> “What made it difficult?”

If they say, “I knew I had to change,” you might ask:

> “When did you realize that?”

If they say, “It worked out better than expected,” you might ask:

> “What was your original expectation?”

These questions invite stories rather than summaries.

8. Bringing out the best in the interviewee

A skilled interviewer does more than extract information. They help people express ideas they may not have fully articulated before.

You can bring out the best in someone by:

- Asking about their motivations

- Inviting them to explain their process

- Encouraging specific examples

- Recognizing the significance of their experience

- Giving them room to think

- Asking questions that reveal values, not just facts

For example, instead of asking only what someone accomplished, ask:

> “What mattered most to you about accomplishing that?”

This moves the conversation from events to meaning—which is often what makes an interview memorable.

9. Comfort with silence

Silence can feel uncomfortable on camera, but it is often one of an interviewer’s most useful tools.

When an interviewee pauses, resist the urge to fill the space immediately. They may be thinking, remembering, or deciding how to express something important.

A few seconds of silence can lead to a more thoughtful answer. If the person appears uncertain, you can offer reassurance without rushing them:

> “Take a moment. I’m interested in your answer.”

Silence also communicates that you are not trying to control every second of the conversation.

10. Neutrality and intellectual humility

A good interviewer does not need to pretend to know everything. In fact, admitting what you do not know can encourage the interviewee to explain more clearly.

Useful phrases include:

- “Can you explain that in simpler terms?”

- “What does that mean in practice?”

- “I’m not sure I fully understand that distinction.”

- “What would you say to someone who disagrees?”

- “What is the strongest argument against your position?”

Remaining open-minded does not mean avoiding scrutiny. It means separating your role as a curious interviewer from your personal opinions.

11. Managing the conversation without dominating it

An interview needs structure, but the interviewer should not become the main subject.

Good conversation management involves:

- Moving between topics smoothly

- Gently redirecting long or unfocused answers

- Making sure important subjects are covered

- Balancing depth with time constraints

- Allowing the interviewee to finish a thought

- Avoiding long personal stories or unnecessary commentary

If you need to redirect someone, do so respectfully:

> “That’s helpful context. I’d like to return to the moment when…”

or:

> “You’ve raised an important point. Before we move on, can we explore one part of it?”

12. Strong on-camera presence

Video interviews require attention not only to what you say, but also to how you appear and sound.

Pay attention to:

- Looking toward the camera when addressing the audience

- Looking at the interviewee when listening

- Maintaining an open posture

- Using natural facial expressions

- Avoiding distracting movements

- Speaking clearly and at a measured pace

- Varying your tone appropriately

If the interview is remote, technical preparation matters too. Test the camera, microphone, lighting, framing, and internet connection beforehand. A technically smooth interview helps both participants stay focused.

13. The ability to adapt

Not every interviewee responds in the same way. Some are highly articulate; others need more time. Some tell stories freely; others give short, careful answers.

A flexible interviewer adapts by:

- Simplifying questions when necessary

- Changing the pace

- Using more examples

- Asking shorter questions

- Providing context

- Switching from abstract questions to concrete ones

- Recognizing when a topic is producing energy, or shutting the person down

The goal is not to use the same technique with everyone. The goal is to discover what helps this particular person communicate well.

14. Respect for the interviewee

Respect is the foundation of a productive interview. It means treating the person as more than a source of content.

Respect includes:

- Being punctual and prepared

- Explaining how the recording will be used

- Avoiding misleading questions

- Handling sensitive information carefully

- Allowing reasonable corrections

- Representing the person’s meaning accurately

- Not exploiting vulnerability for dramatic effect

A respectful interview can still be challenging, direct, and newsworthy. Trust and rigor are not opposites.

15. A clear sense of purpose

Before conducting an interview, identify what you want the audience to understand, feel, or remember.

A clear purpose helps you decide:

- Which questions are essential

- Which details are relevant

- When to pursue a tangent

- When to move on

- What kind of ending will be most effective

Without a clear purpose, interviews can become collections of interesting but disconnected answers. With one, the conversation feels coherent and intentional.

A practical structure for a video interview

A flexible interview can follow this simple structure:

Opening: Build rapport and context

Begin with an accessible question that allows the interviewee to settle in.

> “What first drew you to this work?”

Exploration: Develop the story

Ask about decisions, challenges, changes, and turning points.

> “What happened when you realized the original plan was not working?”

Depth: Explore meaning

Move beyond facts and ask about lessons, values, emotions, and consequences.

> “How did that experience change the way you approach your work now?”

Challenge: Add nuance

Invite complexity without becoming confrontational.

> “What do people who disagree with you get right?”

Closing: End with reflection

Finish with a question that leaves the audience with a clear takeaway.

> “What do you hope people understand after hearing this story?”

A useful self-evaluation method

Ask yourself:

- Do interviewees give longer answers when I use certain types of questions?

- How often do I interrupt?

- Do I ask follow-up questions or simply move down my list?

- What happens to the interviewee’s energy during the conversation?

- Do I create space for emotion and silence?

- Do I ask for examples?

- Do I make the person feel heard?

- Am I listening to understand or listening to respond?

- Which moments feel most natural and revealing?

You could also ask a trusted colleague to assess your interviews, focusing on your listening, pacing, clarity, warmth, and follow-up technique.

The defining qualities of a great interviewer

Although interviewing involves many skills, the most important characteristics are often these:

- Curiosity — a real desire to understand

- Empathy — sensitivity to the other person’s experience

- Presence — full attention to the conversation

- Patience — comfort with pauses and thoughtful answers

- Humility — willingness to admit what you do not know

- Preparation — knowledge of the subject and purpose

- Adaptability — ability to respond to different people

- Clarity — questions that are easy to understand

- Respect — care for the person and their story

- Generosity — a desire to help the interviewee communicate at their best

Ultimately, great interviewing is less about performance than about relationship. The interviewer creates a space where another person can think clearly, speak honestly, and reveal something meaningful.

Your curiosity may draw people out. Your empathy may help them feel safe. And your desire to bring out the best in them may be the quality that ties everything together. That combination is not accidental—it is the foundation of exceptional interviewing.