The Impact of Interviewing

There are two sides of interviewing that I want to discuss today. The first is the one giving the interview, and the second is being interviewed. Both have had positive impacts on my life.

As the interviewer, I felt a deeper connection with my fellow classmates. Each question asked led to another. I felt humbled to have been a part of someone sharing their story with me. Just like any new experience, interviewing someone pushed me in ways I didn't know I could be pushed. I had to listen intently and ask inspiring questions. Sometimes, I felt uneasy or unsure of where to go; however, I understood that it was crucial to be prepared. I look forward to more interviews to come.

As the person being interviewed, I enjoyed having someone listen to me. It is a part of our nature to enjoy talking about ourselves. In his book, How to Win Friends and Influence People, Dale Carnegie says the best way to get people intrigued is by asking them questions and having them talk. You talk 25% of the time, while the other person talks 75%. I felt very important during my interview and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Because of my experience in interviewing, I am moving forward and pushing myself to become a better listener and better at asking questions. I want people to feel the same importance I felt during my interview.