There are numerous instances where you may need to transcribe interviews, whether you are a journalist, researcher, podcaster, or the hiring manager in your organization.
Regardless of the reason for the need to transcribe an interview, getting accurate and well-organized transcripts is essential for extracting valuable information, among other reasons.
This article helps you to plan for your next interview session by delving deeper into this topic and highlighting crucial details, including:
- Understanding what an interview transcript is and its importance;
- How to effectively prepare to effectively transcribe interviews;
- Different ways to transcribe an interview.
Understanding Interview Transcriptions
Interview transcription refers to the textual representation of spoken words and interactions during an interview.
Just like with the other types of transcription, interview transcriptions convert audio or video recordings into written documents that represent the details and content of the conversation.
Such transcriptions capture every important detail from the interview, including how the speakers said something and not just what they said. In doing so, these transcriptions make it easier for the readers to get a deeper understanding and context of the interview.
Importance of Interview Transcriptions
There are many benefits of getting an interview transcript, including:
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To preserve information
Transcriptions, in general, act as a good source for future reference, as they can seamlessly preserve information in a format that is easily accessible by most people.
Moreover, transcripts make interviews accessible to a wider audience, including those with hearing impairments or language barriers, hence promoting inclusivity.
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Effectively captures every detail
Interviewers may sometimes forget certain answers as they were put by the interviewees.
Without a reliable record of the conversations, important details may be lost. However, by using an interview transcript, interviewers can recall all vital discussions.
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Enhances focus
Transcribing interviews enables the interviewer to focus on asking questions and making the interview flow seamlessly.
It is a no-brainer that staying active in the discussions and taking notes can be a hassle, with the attention divided between the two.
However, by transcribing the interviews, interviewers can fully focus on the conversation rather than note-taking.
How to Prepare for an Interview Transcription
Regardless of why you want to transcribe the interview, it is important to effectively prepare yourself before the meeting. Proper preparation makes it easier for you to transcribe the interview efficiently.
Here are a few considerations to make in your preparation stage:
Define your goals and objectives
Before you dive into transcription, it’s essential to clarify your goals and objectives. Ask yourself:
- Why are you transcribing the interview?
- What insights or information are you looking to extract?
Understanding your goals will help you tailor the approach you use in your transcription to meet your specific needs.
Gather necessary materials
The next step is to gather and prepare all the necessary materials to make the interview transcription process successful. Some of these include:
- Meeting software: If you are meeting virtually, ensure your online meeting app is well-configured to avoid technical hitches.
You can also consider using other meeting productivity tools to enhance your overall meeting experience.
- Transcription software: If you’re using transcription software, ensure it’s installed and configured correctly on your computer.
Krisp’s AI transcription is a time-saving transcription service that allows you to focus on your interview as it works on transcribing every single detail verbatim.
- Reference material: If your interview involves technical jargon or specific terminology, have relevant reference materials or glossaries.
Get familiar with the context of the interview
Understanding the context of the interview is crucial for accurate transcription. Take the time to:
- Review any background information related to the interview, such as the topic, subject, or interviewee.
- Identify any special considerations, such as accents or dialects that may affect transcription accuracy.
- If available, read any materials the interviewee or organization provides to gain insights into their perspective.
Set up a comfortable workspace
Create a comfortable and distraction-free workspace for transcription. Finding a quiet place is in line with meeting etiquette, as this reduces distractions, making the meeting generally productive.
If you are hosting an online or hybrid virtual meeting, ensure that your chair, keyboard, and screen are ergonomically positioned to prevent discomfort during long transcription sessions.
It’s also important to understand that you may experience virtual meeting fatigue if you do not set up a comfortable workspace during lengthy interviews.
Choose your transcription method
Do not start determining the best way to transcribe the meeting during the interview, as this will only slow you down. You should consider going through your options and picking the one you feel can work best for you.
The main ways of transcribing an interview include using the manual transcription method and the automated systems — more on this in the next section.
How To Transcribe An Interview
Transcribing interviews is a crucial task for professionals across various fields. Turning spoken conversations into written text is essential for various reasons, including documentation and future analysis.
So, how to transcribe a conversation, especially an interview?
There are two distinct methods that stand out: Manual transcriptions and Automated transcriptions.
Let’s explore these two options in detail, helping you to determine the best one for your needs:
Manual Transcription
Manual transcription involves listening to interview recordings and typing the spoken words verbatim. It can be a labor-intensive but accurate method for transcribing interviews.
This method requires your full attention and patience. To transcribe your interviews manually, here are some of the key considerations to make:
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Block out time
Dedicate a specific block of time for transcription. Ensure that you have enough time to complete the entire interview without interruptions. Transcribing typically takes longer than the duration of the interview itself.
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Review your recording
Before diving into transcription, take the time to review the entire recording. This step is essential to familiarize yourself with the content and context of the interview.
Pay attention to any challenging accents, technical terms, or background noise affecting transcription accuracy.
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Transcribe methodically
Begin transcribing the interview systematically. Start from the beginning and work your way through the recording.
Type out what you hear, including spoken words, pauses, and non-verbal cues. Use appropriate punctuation to represent speech patterns accurately.
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Timestamps and speaker identification
Depending on the interview’s complexity, you may need to include timestamps at regular intervals or when there’s a change in the speaker.
Clearly label speakers or use pseudonyms, especially in group interviews or discussions with multiple participants.
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Indicate inaudible or unclear sections
During transcription, you may encounter sections of the interview that are inaudible or unclear.
To maintain transparency, use standardized notations such as “[inaudible]” or “[unclear]” to indicate these portions.
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Proofread and edit
After completing the transcription, proofread the entire document. Look for and correct any inaccuracies, grammar, and punctuation errors. Ensure that the transcript flows naturally and is coherent.
Manual transcription demands time, patience, and careful attention to detail. However, it offers the advantage of maximum accuracy, making it a preferred choice for interviews where precision is crucial, such as legal proceedings or academic research.
Automated Transcription with Krisp
Krisp stands out as one of the best options for automated transcription services. It’s an AI meeting assistant with exceptional accuracy and additional features to enhance your transcription experience.
Here’s how to get started with Krisp for interview transcription:
1. Create your account
Visit the Krisp website and sign up for an account, after which you can seamlessly download the Krisp app to your laptop or computer.
2. Change meeting platform settings
Adjust the settings on your preferred meeting platform (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams) to make Krisp the default speaker and microphone.
3. Join or start your meeting
Begin your meeting as usual, and Krisp will work silently in the background, transcribing the conversation verbatim.
4. Access your transcription
Once the meeting is over, you can access the meeting transcript on your Krisp dashboard. Although Krisp offers unmatched accuracy, it also allows you to edit the transcript for any errors or tweak it to fit your style or format.
Moreover, you can easily share the transcription with others with the click of a button.
In addition, Krisp’s AI note-taker provides valuable summaries of key meeting takeaways, decisions, and discussions, making it easy to review and share meeting highlights.
Even if you don’t know how to organize meeting notes efficiently, Krisp uses a standard method that offers better experience and value.
As it is, Krisp offers one of the best solutions for transcribing interviews. This solution:
- Offers better accuracy;
- Saves time;
- Is more convenient;
- Reduces your overall workload;
- Is more cost-effective.
Transcribing interviews is an essential task that can be approached through manual or automated methods. There are other tools you can use if you want to know how to transcribe an audio interview.
Nevertheless, while manual transcription offers control and accuracy, automated transcription services like Krisp provide convenience and precision.
With Krisp, you can effortlessly transcribe interviews and generate meeting notes, enhancing your productivity and collaboration.
Take advantage of Krisp’s free trial on the pro version today and experience the benefits of efficient interview transcription.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the easiest way to transcribe interviews?
One of the simplest methods is to use automated transcription services like Krisp, which employ AI technology to transcribe interviews quickly and accurately. This method requires minimal manual effort and is suitable for those who prioritize convenience and speed.
How long does it take to transcribe an interview of 1 hour?
The time it takes to transcribe a 1-hour interview depends on several factors, including the complexity of the content, the transcriptionist’s skill level, and the method used (manual or automated).
As a rough estimate, manual transcription of a 1-hour interview can take approximately 4 to 6 hours for an experienced transcriptionist.
Automated transcription services like Krisp can transcribe the same interview in real-time or just a few minutes after the meeting, saving you a lot of time.
What factors can influence the transcription process of an interview?
Factors such as the quality of the audio, the clarity of the speaker, the transcription method used, and the skill of the transcriptionist significantly influence the transcription process of an interview.
