Experienced Interviewer or Journalist for Family Memoir Interviews — Remote - Contract to Hire

I'm looking for an experienced interviewer or journalist to conduct thoughtful, engaging interviews online. The interviews form the foundation of each book, so I need someone who can go beyond a prepared list of questions. You should know how to make people comfortable, recognize when a story deserves more attention, and ask follow-up questions that uncover meaningful details, memories, and personal reflections.

• *What you’ll do**

- Conduct remote video interviews with individuals and, when appropriate, family members. - Review background information and prepare tailored questions before each session. - Guide conversations naturally while giving people room to reflect and tell their stories. - Explore the people, relationships, turning points, and everyday moments that shaped someone’s life. - Clarify names, dates, timelines, and context without interrupting the flow of conversation. - Ask open-ended questions without leading the interviewee or filling in gaps with assumptions. - Handle sensitive subjects with empathy and respect for the interviewee’s boundaries. - Coordinate recordings with participants’ consent and provide organized session notes highlighting key stories and follow-up questions. - Maintain strict confidentiality when handling family stories and personal information.

• *Required experience and skills**

- Demonstrated experience conducting in-depth interviews professionally, such as journalism, oral history, documentary work, or memoir and biography projects. - Fluent spoken and written English is essential, including the ability to understand nuance and ask clear, natural follow-up questions. - Excellent listening skills and a warm, patient, professional manner. - Ability to help people who may be reserved, unfamiliar with interviews, or unsure where to begin. - Strong organization, reliability, and attention to detail. - A reliable internet connection, clear microphone, and quiet, private setting for video calls. Experience interviewing older adults or working on family-history projects is especially welcome.

• *Project details**

This is a fully remote freelance role. Projects involve multiple interviews with the same person or family, so continuity and rapport are important. Sessions may last up to two hours, with breaks as needed. The role focuses on interviewing and gathering strong source material; writing the finished book is not part of this position. There may be opportunities for additional projects as our client base grows.

• *To apply, please include**

1. A brief overview of your relevant interviewing experience. 2. One or two examples of interview-based work, or a description of comparable private projects. Please share only materials you have permission to disclose. 3. How you approach an interviewee who gives short answers or struggles to recall details. 4. Your hourly rate, time zone, and availability. 5. Confirmation that you are fluent in spoken and written English. This is a fully remote freelance role. Each interview lasts approximately two hours, and each client project includes 4–11 or more interview sessions, depending on the package and scope of their story. We’re looking for someone who can commit to working with the same individual or family throughout the project. Building trust across sessions, remembering earlier conversations, and returning to stories that deserve more attention are essential parts of the role. Please account for preparation and post-interview notes when outlining your rate. The role focuses on interviewing and gathering source material; writing the finished book is not required. There may be opportunities for additional projects as our client base grows.