Tips on Conducting Interviews

Tips on Conducting Interviews David Sheets, St. Louis Chapter, Society of Professional Journalists;content editor, St. Louis Post-Dispatch / STLtoday.com

Good interviews startwith one essential piece of equipment:

Good interviews startwith one essential piece of equipment:That thing between your ears

Make arrangements

Make arrangements• Set up the interview

Make arrangements• Set up the interview• Introduce yourself: Say who you are, and give the name of your publication

Make arrangements• Set up the interview• Introduce yourself: Say who you are, and give the name of your publication• Give a reason for the interview

Make arrangements• Set up the interview• Introduce yourself: Say who you are, and give the name of your publication• Give a reason for the interview• Explain the focus of story

Prepare, carefully

Prepare, carefully• Do research, if only to sound intelligent

Prepare, carefully• Do research, if only to sound intelligent• Read information in print and online

Prepare, carefully• Do research, if only to sound intelligent• Read information in print and online• Visit libraries, government agencies

Prepare, carefully• Do research, if only to sound intelligent• Read information in print and online• Visit libraries, government agencies• Write down your questions as a guide

Prepare, carefully• Do research, if only to sound intelligent• Read information in print and online• Visit libraries, government agencies• Write down your questions as a guide• Take a voice recorder; ask permission to use it

Prepare, carefully• Do research, if only to sound intelligent• Read information in print and online• Visit libraries, government agencies• Write down your questions as a guide• Take a voice recorder; ask permission to use it• Take paper, pen (voice recorders break)

Break the ice

Break the ice• Start off with a friendly greeting

Break the ice• Start off with a friendly greeting• Remind the interview subject who your are, why you’re there

Break the ice• Start off with a friendly greeting• Remind the interview subject who your are, why you’re there• Say thank you again for making time for the interview

Break the ice• Start off with a friendly greeting• Remind the interview subject who your are, why you’re there• Say thank you again for making time for the interview• Casual conversation, or offer a compliment(house, ofﬁce, clothing, job,

Keep questions short

Keep questions short• Speak clearly, use complete sentences

Keep questions short• Speak clearly, use complete sentences• Allow plenty of time for responses

Keep questions short• Speak clearly, use complete sentences• Allow plenty of time for responses• Listen carefully

Keep questions short• Speak clearly, use complete sentences• Allow plenty of time for responses• Listen carefully• Repeat the question / answer, if necessary

Keep questions short• Speak clearly, use complete sentences• Allow plenty of time for responses• Listen carefully• Repeat the question / answer, if necessary• If conversation wanders, gently guide it back on track (“That’s interesting, but ...”)

Keep questions short• Speak clearly, use complete sentences• Allow plenty of time for responses• Listen carefully• Repeat the question / answer, if necessary• If conversation wanders, gently guide it back on track (“That’s interesting, but ...”)• Be patient

Don’t try to sound smarter than you are. Be honest about yourselfand your limited knowledge

State right up front what you don’t know. People always want toshow off their expertise

Be speciﬁc

Be speciﬁc• Avoid questions that lead to “yes” or “no” answers: Wrong: Do you know the way to Topeka? Correct: I know Topeka is west of here, but I’m not sure of the route. What roads would you suggest taking there?

Ask the 5 W’s and H

Ask the 5 W’s and H• Who

Ask the 5 W’s and H• Who• What

Ask the 5 W’s and H• Who• What• When

Ask the 5 W’s and H• Who• What• When• Where

Ask the 5 W’s and H• Who• What• When• Where• Why

Ask the 5 W’s and H• Who• What• When• Where• Why• How

Ask the 5 W’s and H• Who• What• When• Where• Why• How• Who cares? / So what?

Ask about speciﬁcs

Ask about speciﬁcs• How many?

Ask about speciﬁcs• How many?• What color?

Ask about speciﬁcs• How many?• What color?• How tall?

Ask about speciﬁcs• How many?• What color?• How tall?• Pay attention to the surroundings: Photos, trophies, wall hangings, furniture ... everything around you can be a source of conversation

Never be defensive

Never be defensive Don’t try to prove you’re right and the interview subject is wrong.The point is to gain information; defensive behavior only makes people non-talkative

Always be politeAlways be gracious

Always be polite Even if they’re notAlways be gracious

Always be polite Even if they’re not Always be gracious If you sense the interview subject is growinguncomfortable with the questions, back off a little

Say “thank you” again at the end of the interview

Say “thank you” again at the end of the interview Leave contact informationas a courtesy; your interview subject may have more to say later

In conclusion, always remember one thing:

In conclusion, always remember one thing:There are no stupid questions, only stupid answers

Tips on Conducting Interviews David Sheets Phone: 314-971-0073 Email: dsheets@post-dispatch.com Facebook: david.sheets Twitter: @DKSheets

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Tips on Conducting Interviews

by David Sheets on Jul 11, 2012

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