Interviews are the bedrock of a business. Whether you’re a marketer or documenting a client call at a law firm, real, one-to-one conversations are where key insights emerge.
Once the talking stops, it's time to turn that conversation into a reliable, usable record. This guide breaks down how to transcribe an interview properly. We’ll show you the speech-to-text transcription tools you need for minimal stress and maximum security.
Why quick and accurate transcription matters
Transcription isn’t just admin — it’s a business-critical task, especially in legal, HR and business contexts. In high-stakes situations, capturing exactly what was said is vital. Sure, you could rely on notes. But missing out on just a few words can completely change the context of a conversation.
Take the legal industry. If you ever need to prove who said what — and when — you’ll need to ensure the utmost accuracy when transcribing interviews. From lawsuits to client meetings, transcripts are a vital part of the legal world. And with Trint, lawyers can transcribe live interviews and search for critical keywords post-meeting for speedy analysis.
In fast-moving sectors like finance, tech and HR, every word matters. Searchable transcripts help teams move quickly, without missing crucial ideas or information. They also provide you with a clean record and audit trail.
In the newsroom, journalists and comms teams need transcripts to build engaging and accurate stories. With urgent deadlines, Trint’s transcription tools help get the work done fast, allowing users to go from interview to article in minutes.
Step-by-step: How to transcribe an interview manually
Thinking about going the old-fashioned way? We salute your patience. Here’s a breakdown of the (long) process for how to transcribe an interview manually.
Step 1. Listen to the full recording first to catch any errors or glitches.
Step 2. Pick a transcription style. There are 2 main types to choose from:
- Verbatim: This method captures every word, filler and pause. Planning on using your interview transcription in court? Verbatim is what you need.
- Non-verbatim: This is a more edited and condensed version. You don't have the filler and non-essential words or noises, making for a smoother read.
Want to find out more? Check out our what is a Transcript guide.
Step 3. Time to type it out. Listen from the start and capture every word — or every noise if you choose verbatim. Listen on 0.5 speed (even seasoned typists struggle to keep up in real time) and keep one hand on the keyboard and the other on the spacebar for maximum typing speed.
Step 4. Label each speaker clearly and consistently.
Step 5. Time-stamp it, bearing in mind you’ll be stopping every few seconds to mark the time manually.
Step 6. Proofread and listen through again to check what you missed the first time.
Step 7: Format it, staying consistent with your other transcripts.
Step 8: Save your file. Back it up. Email it. Rejoice that it is finally finished.
Step-by-step: How to transcribe an interview with Trint
Don’t want to suffer the drag of manual transcription? Save your time and resources and transcribe with Trint in 5 simple steps.
Step 1. Whether you’re transcribing audio-to-text or video-to-text, drop your file straight into Trint, or record live audio through the Trint app. Ensure the subject is speaking directly towards the device for clarity.
Step 2. Pick your language (Trint works with more than 40).
Step 3. Trint gets to work. Our AI software starts transcribing your interview the moment your file lands. No typing. No rewinding. No stress. You’ll have a draft transcript in minutes (just enough time for a coffee break), with up to 99% accuracy.
Step 4. Edit, highlight and collaborate. Clean up names, highlight key quotes and assign speakers inside the Trint Editor. For wider projects, you can invite your team to collaborate, even if they aren’t subscribed to Trint.
Want to make a rough draft fast? Use Trint Story Builder to highlight key quotes and create a narrative around these main moments.
Step 5. Export or share securely. Download your transcript as a CSV or Word file, or keep it inside Trint for secure, collaborative editing. Everything’s encrypted and we’re ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials certified, so your data stays protected with us. Find out more about our export options here.
Seems too good to be true? It really is that easy with Trint. Save yourself hours of thankless work manually transcribing interviews and free up time and brain power for when you need it most.
Manual vs Trint
Still thinking about transcribing interviews manually? Let’s review the differences between going manual and upgrading to Trint.
Bottom line: Manual transcription is a thing of the past. Trint delivers accurate, searchable transcripts fast. Transcribing an interview? We’re the obvious choice.
Transcription examples of an interview
True verbatim transcribed interview example
Interviewer: So, what's the next step in the timeline?
Interviewee: Uh, I think (.) signing the contracts and getting the ball rolling, really.
Interviewer: I see. So, um, do you know how long that will take approximately?
Interviewee: Well, I think (0.5) I don't see it taking longer than a week, I guess.
This style captures every hesitation, filler and pause, which can be required in legal or compliance settings.
Non-verbatim transcribed interview example
Interviewer: So, what's the next step in the timeline?
Interviewee: I think signing the contracts and getting the ball rolling.
Interviewer: I see. So, do you know how long that will take approximately?
Interviewee: I don't see it taking longer than a week.
This edited transcribed interview style makes for a smoother read, without fillers, pauses and non-essential words. It is great for summaries and internal notes, but it can be more difficult to capture the tone of a conversation.
Trint transcribed interview example
Want to see what a Trint interview transcription looks like? Here’s an example showing exactly what you’ll see when you use our transcription technology.
Best practices for business and legal interview transcription
Accuracy
Always prioritise accuracy over speed. You don’t need us to tell you that missing a name, date or legal term can have major consequences. Every word needs to be accurate, especially when transcripts may become official evidence. Thankfully, you don’t need to sacrifice speed for accuracy when you use Trint.
Labelling speakers
When transcribing an interview with multiple speakers (like a focus group, for example), label each one clearly. There are a few different ways to label a speaker:
- Title (E.g. Interviewer and interviewee, or job title, such as CEO and HR Manager).
- Full name
- First name
- Initials
Confidentiality
Transcripts must be handled with care for confidentiality. Legal interviews, HR investigations and even internal reviews often include sensitive or regulated information.
Use encrypted platforms like Trint to record and transcribe interviews. You should also redact personally identifiable information (PII) or protected health info (PHI) where needed. You may also need to redact, anonymize or restrict access.
Timestamps
For legal use or high-volume workflows, timestamps are critical. Apply them at regular intervals (every 30 to 60 seconds) or on cue points, like new questions or key terms. In Trint, timestamps are automatically added and can be toggled on/off.
With Trint, it’s never been easier to transcribe your interviews, whether they’re business-based, academic or qualitative research interviews. Turn hours into minutes and try a free trial or request a demo today to see what you’ve been missing.
