Don't Interview In Sandals...and other tips to get into interviewer character
Updated: 5 days ago
How to prepare yourself, the interviewer, to get the vibe right before, during, and after an interview
Part 4 of our series: Should You Interview? · An Interview Is Not a Sandwich · Interview Blunders · Don’t Interview in Sandals (this)
Last updated: October 2026
Written by: Maya
In qualitative interviewing, the data collection tool is the interviewer, not the interview guide.
The first time I heard that, I thought, “Hey, don’t call me a tool. Rude!”
But it makes sense. People only share things with other people when there is a good vibe. So, it is up to the interviewer to read the room and bring the right energy to each interview. In evaluation, it is crucial to get the tone right immediately. Many people have had negative experiences with evaluation in the past and are already skeptical.
If I am too stiff and formal, interviewees may recoil into their turtle shells. Their responses may lack specificity and the resulting data may be challenging to analyze and use. On the other hand, if I show up as an overly friendly camp counsellor, I might appear inexperienced, intrusive, and needy. As a result, interviewees might overshare and regret it later or feel more pressure to tell me what they think I want to hear (social desirability bias). For authentic and consensual sharing, getting the vibe right is critical.
To get the vibe right, I get into interviewer character. After conducting about 500 interviews and focus groups, this is how I (Maya) answer the following questions:
There are some important caveats to name.
Humans have diverse bodies that feel and do differently (what feels right and is possible for me, may not work for you). You do you.
Nuances in communication differ across cultures and communities, body language and sounds need to be adjusted for the context.
I do qualitative interviews for evaluation and research with the goal of generating balanced feedback to learn and do. These aren't "gotcha" investigations. I am not trying to reveal or uncover something.
Everything in this post is cringeworthy. But the whole process is truly a necessary evil.
How do you prepare yourself for an interview?
There is a ton of work that goes into interview preparation beyond just writing down a list of questions (you can check out how I design interview guides in Classic Interview Blunders). I firmly believe that this effort is what separates great interviewers from the pack.
Ahead of upcoming interviews, I practice my questions with a buddy and record the video (for in-person or online) and audio for a phone interview. Then, I watch or listen to the recordings and pay attention to the following.
How should you sound in an interview?
Pacing
An interview should move at the speed of trust. By listening and paying attention to the interviewee, you should be able to sense when they are ready to move on or if they need more time to explore.
But, that's easier said than done.
When I am nervous, I sprint through my questions and arrive at the end of the interview out of breath. But, when I am engrossed in someone's story, I overstay my welcome with too many prompts. So, I watch to see where I rush and meander. Then, I adjust to get a good rhythm.
Tone
There is no "right" tone. We all have different vocal registers, and we all read different things into tone. I'm not a speech pathologist, and I definitely don't want to police or politicize the sounds we intentionally or unintentionally make with our vocal cords.
Here's what I pay attention to with my tone:
Do I sound interested?
Do I sound confident in my questions and facilitation?
Do I sound like me?
Does my emotion fit the context (e.g., do I sound too keen, too upbeat, too laid back, too stern)?
Warm neutral noises
I'll admit, this is a weird one. And, if you have always had AI transcript tools available and have never known the agony of listening to your own voice to manually transcribe hours of interviews, then you may not know how important it is to have a go bag of neutral noises.
In a conversation, it is normal to add all kinds of affirming sentiments like, "You're right," "Great," or, "I know what you mean." And, we do it all the time subconsciously. But, in my qualitative training, I was taught that these small affirmations can bias the interview by adding subtle cues that the interviewee is answering in a way that aligns with what you are looking for. In evaluation, especially when we are always trying to find balanced feedback, this can lead someone in one direction which can significantly impede useful data.
So, I practice and use neutral noises instead. Small encouraging noncommittal noises that communicate that I am listening and move the interviewee along in their recollection without swaying or affirming a particular direction. My go-to noises are "mhm" and "oh." But I have been known to add a "gotcha" or "I see" now and then. Yes, these sounds fall somewhere on a scale of helpful to annoying. So, it is important to practice and use the right ones for the context.
Format | What I do | Why |
Phone interview | Add more “mhm,” and “oh,” noises. | The interviewee can't see me, so it is the vocal equivalent of nodding |
In person interview | Alternate between a gesture and a noise | Shows engagement without overdoing either and becoming theatrical or annoying |
Online (camera) interviews | Minimal noise; nod instead | Platforms may detect my noise and then not capture the interviewee's audio in the recording or real-time transcript/captions |
How do you keep a neutral facial expression in an interview?
The short answer? You don't. We're all human. Facial expressions and reactions are what make us register as a human, not a bot. And that is okay.
That being said, it is important to work on my resting face to help the interview's flow and overall vibe.
For example, from years of recording and re-watching my interviews, practicing with Jennica and getting real-time feedback, and doing facial exercises in qualitative workshops, I know that I have three tells that I need to manage in an interview:
Not buying it pursed lips
Really not buying it eyebrows
Concerned puppy dog eyes
For the eyebrows and lips, I work hard to keep soft facial expressions to show that I am engaged, but neither judging nor validating (as this may contribute to social desirability bias or the interviewee telling me what they think I want to hear). This matters most in interviews with leaders because people with practiced talking points don't need any more help sticking to their script.
As for the concerned eyes, I do my best. When interviews get emotional or an interviewee discloses something difficult, I can't help it. I'm an empath, and I want to convey a genuine human connection or resonance with what they've shared.
What body language should you use in an interview?
The COVID-19 pandemic was the first time I did interviews online using conference call platforms. They flopped. My rhythm was off, and my gestures did not translate. Everything was just awkward...and stuck on mute. Because my interview strategy is deeply intertwined with my body language, I had to figure out how to bring an energetic presence to an online platform that cuts me off at the shoulders. It forced me to examine all unspoken things I do.
Here's what I do from my head to my toes (again, body language is culturally specific and place-based, so what works for me may not be appropriate for you).
Head and neck
Most of my non-verbal prompts happen with nodding and tilting. To show that I am listening, I nod along. This is a great tool when trying to refrain from my verbal "mhm" sound or conducting an online interview since the rest of my body is not visible. For example, if I want to inquire more about a particular topic without interrupting someone's story, I might tilt my head to the side to signal uncertainty or interest. This move pairs well with a verbal "oh?"
Shoulders
When unsure or anxious, my shoulders crawl up to my ears and get stuck in a stiff "oh no!" posture. So, I practice relaxing my shoulders to avoid looking panicked, especially online when this is typically where my frame cuts off.
Online, if a participant shares something difficult with me, I might take a deep breath with them and slightly exaggerate the rise and fall of my shoulders to signal that I am taking this breath (since they can't hear me or see my chest rise and fall).
Back and belly
Breathing makes all the difference in my tone and pacing. If I can't get a good flow, my questions will come out stiff or unsure, and my pacing will be all wrong. So, my posture has to support big belly breathing.
One big perk of the popularity of online and telephone interviews is that I can wear pants with a loose waistband to my interviews and avoid the tight pants shallow breath issue.
Arms and hands
Signalling openness with uncrossed arms is an important first step. And, in my experience, there is nothing wrong with hand-talking in an interview if it is authentic to who you are and doesn't pull focus or stray into overly animated camp counsellor territory. So, I do two things:
As much as possible, I don't take notes during the interview, so I can free up my hands (and also mitigate the risk of fidgeting with a pen and causing a distraction)
I bring my hands into the interview to signal active listening, especially online. I may lean forward and rest my chin on my hand or use gestures to signal that they are doing great (like give a thumbs up and say, "No right or wrong answers," if they ask "Did I answer that right?")
Legs and feet
To cross or uncross my legs, that is the question.
Signalling "openness" with legs is weird. And yet, my favourite prompt of all time is not a question; it is a change of seat position. Like a semicolon in an essay, I only get to do this once and have that dramatic effect. At a critical moment in the interview, I will uncross my legs and lean forward. That's it. Silent and simple. Unfortunately, I am squirmy and often find sitting in the same position challenging. So, I practice finding stillness while interviewing so that I can pull this move out and not be confused with restlessness.
Of course, that only works in an in-person interview. So, online, my best equivalent is leaning forward and resting my head on my hand.
Once I go through the recordings and check my vibe, I make notes to myself and adjust. It always takes me a few tries to get over the initial "Is that really what I sound like?" and "Oh, why is my face like that" reactions. But, over time, it starts to feel less icky and more valuable.
How do you stay in character during an interview?
My character work continues into the interview. Here's what I do during the interview to stay in character.
1. Set the scene
Format | What I do | Why |
Phone interview | Go to a quiet place, use noise cancelling headphones, put notifications on mute | Minimize any distractions to both stay present with the interviewee and avoid interrupting sounds that might signal to them that I am actually checking my email, doing a load of laundry, or with other people (potentially compromising their confidentiality) |
In person interview | Unless I am meeting someone at their home or office, I go early, scope, and set up. If we are meeting a public place, I find a cozy spot, test my tech (e.g., how much background noise will my recorder pick up), and remove distractions (e.g., I fix the wobbly table or buy a coffee for the person listening to music without headphones in exchange for quiet). | I want to make the experience as seamless and comfortable as possible. Depending on the sensitivity or purpose of the interview, it may be more or less important to create a certain vibe. |
Online (camera) interviews | Keep my background on (not blurred), and check lighting and background sounds (as I would with a phone interview) | I like to keep my background visible in interviews. People can see my fireplace, bookshelf, and my dog snoozing on the couch. I think, it adds a human quality as if people are meeting me in my living room (because they are). Plus, it also signals that no one else is in my frame or listening in (again, except my dog, but she has an NDA). |
2. Take a beat and adjust for context
When the person arrives, picks up the phone, or appears on camera, I take a beat to see where they are at. Are they rushing from somewhere? Do they seem nervous, frazzled, excited, keen? Is their kid home sick from school and popping in and out of the frame desperate for attention? I will likely ask how their day is going and if now is a good time to chat (leaving the door open for them to reschedule or change their mind).
Then, I match my energy to fit the context. For example, if they've already been in six Teams meetings, I might ask if they want to take a breather, grab a snack, and start again in a few minutes. Then, I bring a fresh energy to try and differentiate this chat from the last six. Or, if they seem under the weather or have their hands full, I might just suggest we reschedule.
3. Stay grounded
Staying present during an interview is the most important part. When I am in the moment with the other person or people, I can actively listen, observe their non-verbal signals, and adjust to follow their lead. If I am distracted, zoning out, or multi-tasking, I'm not doing my job.
To stay grounded, I don't wear sandals to an interview. That's because I secretly tap-dance my toes inside my shoes during the conversation. I find it helpful to press my toes into the soles of my shoes to remind myself that I am on solid ground, scrunch up my toes instead of my eyebrows when I am uncomfortable, and wiggle my toes to stay engaged during those long-winded side tangents that interviewees sometimes need to get off their chests. It also helps me find an outlet during difficult moments where I want to cry, but I'm exercising restraint.
This works for me. Your feet, your choice! Wiggling your tongue around your mouth instead could work too. The key is to find a way to stay put in the present moment, in your body, connected to your multiple senses, and in a calm state that helps you listen deeply.
Can you cry in an interview?
I try not to (as much as possible). But, the human factor will over-ride any plan you make. Because it isn't about me or my reactions, I try my best to not pull focus. There is a risk that if I cry, the interviewee will hold back, try to comfort me, or become concerned that I am not prepared for what they have to say. What I do instead? I take an audible breath to signal that I understand the weight of their words. I do a fair amount of interviewing related to difficult topics like mental health, trauma, and violence. Occasionally, the odd tear will escape. Can't help it. I'm human.
Should you take notes during an interview?
There's no right or wrong here. This is a practice preference. For me? I prefer not to. Staying present is paramount for my practice. But, this requires disciplined listening, lots of clarifying and meaning-making prompts to echo back and confirm understanding, and post-interview memoing. The one exception? If I don't have consent to record the interview, I have to take some notes to keep track of key points, phrases, and quotes.
What should you do after an interview?
Phew! It's over.
While it is still fresh in your mind and body, pull out that notes app, journal, or interview guide and start reflecting on the experience.
What should go into a field memo?
The tone, energy, and emotionality of the interview, anything that helped shape it and won't be captured in the transcripts or summary notes
Key stories, illustrative examples, or phrases
My "evaluator hot takes" including: gut reactions, surprises, questions, initial interpretations
Areas for improvement or exploration (e.g., anything I wish I had done differently, questions I think could be reframed, and obvious gaps in my guide)
Then, if I need to, I call Jennica to debrief. Debriefing with a colleague (aligned with your confidentiality agreements and ethics protocol) is a great way to:
Refine your interview guide and approach (especially if the same question keeps flopping)
Release any emotion you are carrying out of the interview
Replay key moments and request feedback to grow your practice (e.g., asking what they might have done differently or suggest you do instead)
Bottom line
Good interviews don't happen by chance or because of good questions alone. Every nod, pause, "mhm," and gesture helps shape the experience and refine the tool (me). While I admit that listening to and watching yourself in recordings is super cringey, it makes a big difference. None of this is about a perfect performance. It is about honing your craft and being thoughtful about how you create and take up space, listen (and demonstrate listening), and build trust with an interviewee.
If you're not sure where to get started, I recommend audio-recording your next phone call with a friend or family member (with consent of course). Listen back and notice your natural conversational fillers (you know what I mean), your instincts or impulses to fill the space, how often you interject or interrupt, and what signals you use to nudge the other person along. Notice if your tone changes, when you trail off, and when you stop listening. Keep track of your "mhm" noises. Plus, if you have never had the pleasure of manually transcribing an interview, it is a good idea to soften the "is that what I really sound like?" blow when you aren't in interviewer mode.
Want to keep sharpening your interview practice?
Getting into character takes practice, and it’s easier with someone in your corner.
If you’re a community-serving organization, we can:
build your team’s interviewing skills, with Custom Training & Workshops
design an interview guide with your staff and coach them to use it through Capacity-Building
take interviewing off your plate entirely: our most senior consultants conduct the interviews as part of an Evaluation or Light Touch Consulting project
help you get unstuck on an interviewing strategy with Data Strategy Office Hours
If you’re a fellow evaluator or researcher, you can:
learn imaginative interviewing, a technique for drawing out richer answers, in our Arts-Based Methods for Evaluators course
stress-test your interview approach or guide with Evaluation & Research Advising
work with us on a project at whatever level of involvement works for you
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