11 Tips for Recording an Interview

Table of Contents

Add a header to begin generating the table of contents

Interviewers need more flexibility to record video calls or face-to-face interviews in busy locations. Whether getting an app that blocks background noise or carrying an extra mic on his cover, each interview recording situation requires a slightly different approach.
This guide covers the tools you need to maintain studio-like sound quality and techniques to improve your interview recording process.
But first…
There are three core techniques you can rely on when recording interviews.

Meet face-to-face at a designated or pre-arranged location.
Remotely via video conferencing tools.
about the phone.

Notes before starting:
Many types of interviews can be recorded, and different techniques are suitable for each. For example, journalist interviews often take place at events or on the street without prior planning. Application or research interviews, on the other hand, Application or research interviews do not require the guest to be present in person, so they are best done via video call. In this article, we will focus primarily on job interviews.

It is very important to make sure of all compliance and best practices while recording the interviews. To know more, read the article on compliance aspects of interview recording.

Why Record Interviews?

Interviewing someone gives you a first-hand snapshot of their professional and personal experiences. Recording a job interview gives you close access to this first-hand information. For example, if a candidate describes what they want from a role in an interview, don’t rely on memory when passing that information on to the recruiter.

Whether the interview is in-person or online, recording ensures that the information you receive from the interviewee is used correctly and maximized for your business. With online interviews becoming a norm, recording is all the more convenient.
Recording information also makes it easier to share interviews. If the interview is recorded, it can be shared through the interviewer’s notes, which are less effective than direct audio. Recording interviews ensures that all information shared is first-hand information, making it a more effective form of communication.

Finally, recording an interview enables interviewers to be more engaged in the conversation, as it relieves the need to jot down details. Recording an interview allows you to be more involved in the interview itself, as you don’t have to worry about taking notes or writing down specific information. The recording will allow you to focus 100% on the interview at that point, leading to better results.

11 Tips for Recording Interviews

There are Do these few steps pre-recording while recording, and afterward to guarantee a successful outcome. Few simple things you can do before, during, and after recording to make the process smooth, easy, and successful.

Before the Interview

Write a short list of questions. The conversation may veer in other directions, and that’s okay. Have a list of frequently asked questions to help get things back on track and cover the information you need. For more advice, see our guide to writing interview questions. Check out our interview question guide for more advice.
Check and load your gear. Nothing is more frustrating than running out of battery or disk space during an interview. Check everything the night before and organize backup power and storage devices as needed.
Avoid noisy recording rooms. Clear audio facilitates the review, transcription, and (if desired) editing. Choose a quiet recording location, and if you are doing a remote interview, ask the interviewer to do the same while recording the conversation. Small rooms with lots of soft surfaces are great for reducing background noise.
Reassure the interlocutor. Explain the interview process and encourage guests to take it slow, stopping and thinking if necessary.
Make a test recording before starting. Always record all audio before an interview to ensure everything runs smoothly.

During the Interview

Please ask permission to record the guest. Be sure to formally ask the person you are talking to for permission to record. Do this immediately after starting the recording to record consent to the interview.
Monitor audio levels. Nearly all voice recording apps display audio-level visualizations. Keep an eye on this, as it’s the easiest way to find out if something went wrong and if you lost any important audio data.
Stay calm when things go wrong. If you encounter any problems while recording, don’t worry. Instead, let the person you’re talking to know about it and take the time to resolve the issue. If you can’t find an easy fix, that’s why you brought a backup, right?
Do not speak past the interlocutor. In the audio industry, this is known as “crosstalk.” If a candidate or interviewer interrupts you, stop talking and let them continue. When multiple people are speaking in a recording simultaneously, it’s difficult to understand what’s being said when you go back to review or transcribe the conversation.

After the Interview

Save now. Save the recording (and backup copy) as soon as possible after the interview. Also, consider storing audio and video files in multiple locations. The cloud and external hard drives.
Transcribe interviews with an app. Transcripts are faster to read than hear, so you can easily check what’s happening. Digital transcripts let youIf you have a digital transcript, you can also use the search function to navigate through your interviews easily. Manually transcribing interviews can be tedious, so consider using an app like BarRaiser to automate the process.

How to Make an Interview Fun

People can be uncomfortable being interviewed, especially if the interview is taped. However, making the interviewer comfortable is an essential part of a successful interview because you can better understand the interviewer and what they have to say. One of the most effective things you can do is book more time than you need. Allowing enough time to talk with the interviewer, and pausing between questions when necessary, is invaluable in maintaining a comfortable conversation. No one likes being rushed. The second thing you can do is set clear expectations for the interviewer before you start the interview. A job interview is stressful enough without correcting someone for speaking into the microphone. Set expectations early so the conversation flow doesn’t have to be interrupted.

How to Deal with Live Issues

Even with the best preparation, technical issues can arise during an interview. Here’s how to handle them effectively:

1. Acknowledge the Problem

If technical issues like poor audio quality or connection problems occur, address them honestly and calmly. Using humor can help ease the situation and maintain a positive atmosphere.

2. Stay Calm and Focused

When an issue disrupts the interview, it’s important to remain composed. Inform the interviewer that you’re addressing the problem, and avoid showing frustration. Staying calm helps keep the conversation on track.

3. Troubleshoot and Adapt

Try switching to a different recording program or using alternative hardware if audio issues persist. Consistent, medium-quality audio is better than high-quality audio that frequently fails.

4. Prepare Backup Solutions

Test audio and video quality with your interviewee before the interview starts. Establish a backup communication channel, like SMS, in case of technical failures. Always have spare hardware and storage ready to avoid losing the interview.

5. Allow for Extra Time

Schedule additional time in case of technical difficulties or if the interviewee needs a break. Pausing for a moment of casual conversation can help the interviewee feel more comfortable.

6. Manage Multiple Interviewees

If interviewing multiple people at once, explain the importance of taking turns to speak at the start. This ensures clear communication and avoids confusion in the transcription process.

How BarRaiser Can Help

Structuring, revising, and evaluating interviews is just as vital for success as good recordings, and apps like BarRaiser make it simple. BarRaiser is a comprehensive recording software and also generates audio and video transcripts. Organizing, editing, and analyzing interviews is just as important to your overall success as quality recordings, and tools like BarRaiser make that part easy. BarRaiser integrates with all major video conferencing tools such as Zoom, Google Meet, Teams, Webex, etc. Use BarRaiser with conference call apps to record remote interviews, analyze (in real time) the questions and responses along. BarRaiser’s interview assistant also guides the interviewers to stay on course and avoid illegal questioning.
The platform also helps in interviewer training by providing the ability to edit or trim existing recordings and use it as training tapes to coach new interviewers. Plus, BarRaiser is designed specifically for teams, so you can quickly invite others to work on your projects.
And since BarRaiser was built from the ground up for hiring teams, you can easily invite others to collaborate on your projects. With different permissions, some people can only view parts of the video or transcript while others can not see anything except the feedback from the interviewer.