These are great ideas. However, the real test of a good interviewer is how they move between questions during the interview and still make it seem like an organic conversation. Also, how much they give of themselves while receiving from the interviewer. As an art and culture journalist for several years, I struggled to develop these perfect qualities.
These can't be noted but after reading your piece, I'm thinking if an interviewer works thoroughly this way on her notes, her mind can be free to engage fully and be present at the actual time of the interview...
Great advice. I used to interview people using a pen that recorded the interview and allowed the handwritten notes to be digitised. That worked well for a long time. Time stamping is very useful, essential in fact.
This was enormously fun and helpful. I loved getting a look behind the curtain at the preparation process. Itβs so easy for people to forget what goes into a good interview, especially when, because of good prep, the conversation flows so easily.
Great ideas Jillian. Tried an interview a while back and got advice on transcription from someone on Substack. Now using it extensively at my non-profit job and amazed by what what a difference it makes. I am finding that coupled with my notes app, I am more organized and much less re-entry. Tried Otter.ai but am currently sticking with my native phone solution as it is better integrated into everyhing else on my phone and computer. I suppose if it became an everyday need, I would consider the Otter.ai but don't need another subscription :)
So much helpful info here! It's been a while since I've formally interviewed someone for an article, but I have one lined up soon for Release and Gather. I'm definitely giving Otter a try. And I usually type thoughts/questions that pop in my head while out and about into my phone's Notes app, but this dictating the idea as a text to myself--fabulous! Bob Goff emails himself when taking these types of notes, but that's a lot to sift through. Texting sounds so much more efficient.
Wonderful read, Jillian. I really enjoyed learning about Jane's hybrid system, as I continue to struggle with what to do where. I love handwritten notes and journal entries, but find it far more convenient to use software on my phone and computers and like having my notes in one place. Even then, I send myself regular emails (rather than texts, though I may look into the audio aspect).
I loved this! Janeβs methodical process to forming her questions is fascinating, and it really explains why authors open up to her. She does the work!
I also found it hilarious that she destroys her notes, which include shopping and to-do lists. Same situation with my notes.
Jane, I love your checkmark system and am totally going to adopt.
One thing we already have in common is note-taking one's own thoughts while dog walking. I record little voice memos to myself though. Iβm not good at the walking while texting thing!
Also, your doggie Delilah is BEYOND adorable, but you know that.
I really wish I had a good method for note taking. Iβve tried every method and the only thing that works is just always having a sheet of A4 paper in my pocket, that I write on then shove in a folder, until the folder is bulging, and then I try and work out what to do with all the loose pages and where they go. There has to be a better way, but I donβt know what it is.
This is so helpful. I've been thinking a lot about interviewing lately. I just finished Dean Nelson's book, Talk to Me. This offers a nice complement to that. Thanks again for such fine work!
Love the approach Jillian, as my one complaint about all the βrealβ note takers is that I just canβt identify with their experience: Iβm an all digital guy. I even tried picking up a paper notebook after one of your posts and after a week, I gave it up. But I live and die by my Google Keep files and, like Jane, am often dictating verbal notes into there while out on walks.
These are great ideas. However, the real test of a good interviewer is how they move between questions during the interview and still make it seem like an organic conversation. Also, how much they give of themselves while receiving from the interviewer. As an art and culture journalist for several years, I struggled to develop these perfect qualities.
These can't be noted but after reading your piece, I'm thinking if an interviewer works thoroughly this way on her notes, her mind can be free to engage fully and be present at the actual time of the interview...
ahhhhh this is so good. I love Jane's work and its so fun getting a peek behind the curtain. I'm def stealing the 1,2,3 checkmark / star system!!
Great advice. I used to interview people using a pen that recorded the interview and allowed the handwritten notes to be digitised. That worked well for a long time. Time stamping is very useful, essential in fact.
Note to self: text self
This was enormously fun and helpful. I loved getting a look behind the curtain at the preparation process. Itβs so easy for people to forget what goes into a good interview, especially when, because of good prep, the conversation flows so easily.
Great ideas Jillian. Tried an interview a while back and got advice on transcription from someone on Substack. Now using it extensively at my non-profit job and amazed by what what a difference it makes. I am finding that coupled with my notes app, I am more organized and much less re-entry. Tried Otter.ai but am currently sticking with my native phone solution as it is better integrated into everyhing else on my phone and computer. I suppose if it became an everyday need, I would consider the Otter.ai but don't need another subscription :)
So much helpful info here! It's been a while since I've formally interviewed someone for an article, but I have one lined up soon for Release and Gather. I'm definitely giving Otter a try. And I usually type thoughts/questions that pop in my head while out and about into my phone's Notes app, but this dictating the idea as a text to myself--fabulous! Bob Goff emails himself when taking these types of notes, but that's a lot to sift through. Texting sounds so much more efficient.
Wonderful read, Jillian. I really enjoyed learning about Jane's hybrid system, as I continue to struggle with what to do where. I love handwritten notes and journal entries, but find it far more convenient to use software on my phone and computers and like having my notes in one place. Even then, I send myself regular emails (rather than texts, though I may look into the audio aspect).
Thank you so much for sharing this, Jillian! I learned a lot about my process from gathering my notes. I hope your readers enjoy it.
I loved this! Janeβs methodical process to forming her questions is fascinating, and it really explains why authors open up to her. She does the work!
I also found it hilarious that she destroys her notes, which include shopping and to-do lists. Same situation with my notes.
Jane, I love your checkmark system and am totally going to adopt.
One thing we already have in common is note-taking one's own thoughts while dog walking. I record little voice memos to myself though. Iβm not good at the walking while texting thing!
Also, your doggie Delilah is BEYOND adorable, but you know that.
So great to read behind the scenes of such a fascinating process!
I really wish I had a good method for note taking. Iβve tried every method and the only thing that works is just always having a sheet of A4 paper in my pocket, that I write on then shove in a folder, until the folder is bulging, and then I try and work out what to do with all the loose pages and where they go. There has to be a better way, but I donβt know what it is.
This is great, Jillian. I send emails to myself and I also write in books, loved reading about Janeβs note-keeping.
This is so helpful. I've been thinking a lot about interviewing lately. I just finished Dean Nelson's book, Talk to Me. This offers a nice complement to that. Thanks again for such fine work!
Love the approach Jillian, as my one complaint about all the βrealβ note takers is that I just canβt identify with their experience: Iβm an all digital guy. I even tried picking up a paper notebook after one of your posts and after a week, I gave it up. But I live and die by my Google Keep files and, like Jane, am often dictating verbal notes into there while out on walks.