What Impact Has Interviewing Had on Me?

When I first began conducting interviews—whether for articles, assignments, or content creation—I thought of them as a straightforward task: ask questions, get answers, and write a story. However, over time, I realized that interviewing is more than a mechanical process. It's a human interaction that teaches you how to listen, connect, empathize, and, most importantly, understand the world through someone else's lens.

Interviewing has shaped me unexpectedly, and its impact has reached far beyond journalism or content production. Here's how it's changed me—for the better.

1. It Made Me a Better Listener

Before I started interviewing people, I was a good listener. I wasn't. Like many people, I listened intending to reply, not to understand. Interviewing taught me to slow down, absorb every word, and pick up on nuance. I began noticing what wasn't being said as much as what was.

The silence between sentences, the hesitation before an answer—those small things often reveal the more profound truth.

In a world filled with noise, the skill of intentional listening has become one of my most valuable tools—not just in interviews but in conversations with family, friends, and colleagues.

2. It Strengthened My Empathy

When you sit across from someone and invite them to share their story, you begin to see the world from their point of view. Whether I was speaking to a business owner, a survivor, or a student, every interview was a window into a life I didn't live.

I've learned that everyone has something to teach if we ask the right questions and create a safe space for honesty. Interviewing has helped me become less judgmental and more compassionate—qualities that extend well beyond professional settings.

3. It Sharpened My Curiosity

Interviews are fueled by curiosity. The best questions often emerge during the conversation, not just from a pre-written list. Interviewing taught me to be curious about people's lives, ideas, struggles, and successes.

This mindset has changed how I approach research, storytelling, and learning. I no longer assume I know how someone feels or why something happened—I ask. And when I ask, I learn more than I ever could from assumptions or surface-level observations.

4. It Improved My Confidence

Let's face it—interviewing can be intimidating. You're initiating a conversation, often with strangers, sometimes about sensitive topics. At first, I worried about asking the wrong question, stumbling over words, or facing awkward silence. But the more I did it, the more confident I became—not just in my ability to guide a conversation but in trusting my voice, instincts, and presence.

That confidence has spilled into other areas of my life: speaking in meetings, networking, pitching ideas, and navigating social situations more easily.

5. It Gave Me Purposeful Content

Whether writing a blog, creating a video, or producing a story, interviews breathe life into content. Authentic voices, experiences, and quotes resonate far more than any generic paragraph. Interviewing transformed my work from theoretical to genuine, reminding me that storytelling is about people, not just information.

Some of my most meaningful pieces have come from interviews where someone trusted me with their story. That trust is a responsibility I don't take lightly.

Final Thoughts

Interviewing isn't just a skill I've added to my toolkit—it's an experience that has fundamentally shaped who I am. It's taught me to be present, to ask more profound questions, and to value the voices of others.

Each interview is a reminder that behind every title, face, or social media profile is a human being with a story worth telling. And being the one to help tell it? That's a privilege I'm grateful for every time I press "record."

Have you had a powerful interview experience, or want to improve your interviewing skills? Let's connect. I'd love to share what I've learned and hear your stories.