Getting the best transcription quality from Cara

Quick wins (do these first)

To get the best results from Cara’s transcription and summaries:

Use a headset or dedicated microphone (avoid speakerphone)
Make sure only one person speaks at a time
Join from a quiet space with minimal background noise

These three things will have the biggest impact on quality.

What affects transcription quality

Cara’s accuracy depends on a few key factors:

Audio setup

Speakerphones can reduce clarity
A poor internet connection can cause dropped words
Built-in laptop mics pick up more background noise

Best practice: use a headset where possible

Conversation flow

People talking over each other (crosstalk)
Very fast back-and-forth conversation
Interruptions mid-answer

Best practice:

Let candidates finish their answer
Allow a short pause before the next question

Environment

Background noise (offices, cafés, typing)
Echo in large or empty rooms

Best practice: choose a quiet, enclosed space

If the transcript isn’t perfect

Transcription doesn’t need to be perfect to be useful.

If something looks off:

Edit the summary directly to correct key points
Focus on important insights, not every word
Use your own notes to fill in any gaps

Tips for better AI summaries

To help Cara generate stronger summaries:

Ask clear, focused questions
Encourage structured answers (e.g. examples, outcomes)
Avoid cutting candidates off mid-response

Complete answers = better summaries

Pre-interview checklist

Before your interview starts:

Test your microphone and audio
Use a headset if available
Close unnecessary tabs/apps
Join from a quiet space
Open Cara a few minutes early

Important

Cara works best when the audio is clear, and the conversation flows naturally.
You don’t need perfect conditions, just avoid overlap and reduce noise where possible.