sethdford Interviewing
Run interviews that surface truthful, specific signal—whether for users, candidates, sources, or exits—through prep, open questions, and disciplined listening.
When to Use
- User research, hiring loops, stakeholder discovery, journalistic Q&A, or exit conversations.
Behaviors
Prep: research the person/topic; define what you must learn; draft open-ended questions. Open: brief rapport; state purpose. Ask: prefer “Tell me about a time when…” (behavioral) over “Would you…?” (hypothetical). Follow the thread: “Say more about that.” Avoid leading the witness. Silence: pause; let them fill it. Listen for omissions—what they steer away from. Close: “What should I have asked?” Types: user (behavior and context), hiring (fit and evidence), journalistic (facts and accountability), exit (honest systemic lessons).
Examples
Example 1: User interview on checkout: “Walk me through the last time you paid on mobile” surfaces friction a survey never mentioned; you probe delays without suggesting “was it slow?”
Example 2: Hiring loop: behavioral prompts on conflict and ownership; hypothetical “How would you handle…” only after you’ve seen concrete past behavior.