10 quick tips to conduct the perfect expert interview

In today’s fast-paced economy, competition is fierce. To stay ahead, many of the world’s leading organizations are relying on expert insight to help them make more informed commercial decisions. Finding the right experts to gain insight from can be challenging but with the help of an expert network – a company that connects organizations with specialists – it doesn’t need to be. Now that the hurdle of finding the specialist has been dealt with, the next area that requires attention is preparing for the expert interview. That’s what we cover in this blog post with our 10 quick tips.

1. Set interview goals

Your interview goals will form the roadmap for the interview. Ensure that you’re clear on what these goals are to ensure you meet your project’s primary objectives. 

2. Shhh, let the expert speak

You’ve paid for the expert’s time, so make the most of it. 

3. R-E-S-P-E-C-T

To echo the words of the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, show the expert respect (this goes both ways). This’ll ensure both parties are happy with the experience and get the most out of it. 

4. Be prepared

Along with preparing your questions, be clear on what data you might want in advance of the call so the expert can prepare accordingly. 

5. Stay focused

Be wary of tangents. It can be easy to get lost in conversation. You have limited time with the expert so keep the discussion focused. 

6. Leave some room for exploration

This may seem in opposition to the above point but leave room for flexibility so you can explore unforeseen, relevant lines of inquiry. 

7. Test your device

Don’t take this simple step for granted. Check that your microphone and sound are working, and that your internet connection is strong. The last thing you want is your device letting you down. 

8. Be flexible

Consider where you and the expert are in the world and be flexible with your time. If you’re in New York, 5 pm EDT might be great for you but not so great for the expert in London whose local time would be 10 pm during BST.

9. Get visual

Consider preparing visual elements such as slides to help stimulate the conversation.

10. Keep your Project  Manager in the loop

At Techspert we have Project Managers who work with you from beginning to end to ensure you get the most out of the expert connection. Remember to keep them in the loop to avoid any delays. For instance, if you have any material such as target product profiles that need to be reviewed by the expert beforehand, make sure you let your Project Manager know. Or, if you’d like the interview to be recorded let them know so they can arrange this accordingly. 

By following these steps, you should have a strong foundation for conducting a successful expert interview. If you’re still feeling underprepared, our team is more than happy to help.

Working on a project that needs expert insight? We’d love to hear from you. We’re also always looking for experts so if you fit the mold, fill in this form.