Interview Me | Just Add AI

See the Difference

Same goal. One asks AI to gather information first.

Asking for help directly

You: "Help me plan my new website."

AI: Here's a website planning guide: First, define your goals. Then choose a platform like WordPress or Squarespace. Plan your pages: Home, About, Services, Contact. Consider your branding, colors, and fonts. Think about SEO from the start...

Generic advice. AI doesn't know what you actually need, so it guesses.

Letting AI interview you first

You: "I need help planning my new website. Interview me first — ask questions one at a time to understand what I actually need."

AI: Happy to help. Let me understand what you're working with.

"What's the main thing you want visitors to do when they land on your site — buy something, contact you, learn about you, or something else?"

Now AI is gathering what it needs. And you're clarifying your own thinking.

Another Example: Trip Planning

Watch how a back-and-forth interview creates personalized results.

You

I want to plan a trip to Japan. Before you give me an itinerary, ask me questions about what I'm looking for.

Happy to help! A few questions first: How many days do you have? Is this your first time in Japan? Are you more interested in cities, nature, or cultural experiences? Any must-see places or activities? What's your budget range?

You

10 days. Second trip — I've done Tokyo. I love hiking and traditional culture. Want to see temples. Mid-range budget.

Perfect. Here's a 10-day itinerary focused on hiking and traditional Japan: Start in Kyoto for temple visits and the Fushimi Inari trail. Then head to the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route for world-class hiking. Finish in Takayama for traditional townscapes and a night at a ryokan...

Built from your actual preferences. No wasted days repeating Tokyo.

Why This Works

When you ask AI for something complex, there's information it needs that you didn't think to include. Budget? Audience? Constraints? What you've already tried? AI doesn't know, so it fills those gaps with assumptions.

Letting AI ask questions first flips the dynamic. Instead of guessing, it gathers what it needs. The questions often surface details you forgot to mention — or hadn't fully worked out yet. The act of answering clarifies your own thinking.

Prompts for Different Situations

Getting started: "Before you start, ask me questions about what I need."
Quick version: "Ask me 5 questions first."
Project planning: "Before you help me with [task], ask me the questions you'd need answered to do it well."
Clarifying goals: "I want to [goal]. Interview me to help define exactly what I'm trying to achieve."
Decision making: "I'm trying to decide [choice]. Ask me questions to help me figure out what I actually want."
Creative work: "Interview me, then create the [plan/draft/recommendation]."
Job interview prep: "Be an interviewer for [job title]. Ask questions one at a time and give feedback on my answers."
Studying: "Quiz me on [topic]. Ask one question, wait for my answer, then explain if I'm right."
Brainstorming: "I have an idea for [thing]. Ask me questions about it so I can think it through."

The Technique

Put AI in charge of asking questions. You answer. In the process, you'll clarify your own thinking and give AI what it needs to actually help you.

When to Use This

• When you're not sure what you actually want or need
• Before starting a project — to define requirements
• Planning trips, events, or anything personalized
• When facing a decision and unsure which way to go
• When you have a fuzzy idea that needs to be sharpened
• Getting advice where your preferences matter
• Preparing for job interviews or difficult conversations
• Studying or testing your knowledge on any topic