1. Conducting the Perfect Interview
By: Jonathan Delgadillo
Andrew Aleman
Byron Molina
Emmanuel Salvador

2. How Do We Conduct an Interview?

3. What You’ll Need
• Courage to speak with strangers
• Prepared open-ended questions relating to
the topic
• Follow-up questions
• The appropriate materials (recorder, notepad)
• Respect and friendliness towards interviewee
• Determination

4. How You Do It
• Prepare open-ended and follow-up questions (How has business been
over the years? Could you tell me more about it?)
• Meet with editor to review questions
• Arrange interview with subject
– Make sure interviewee has background information on the subject
• Prepare materials needed to take notes
• Greet the subject, and be polite
• Make eye contact when asking questions
• Speak in a loud, clear voice
• Get to the point
• Write small notes in notepad, only write important quotes completely
• If recorder is being used, ask subject beforehand
– Hold recorder at a distance
• When finished, thank subject properly
• Gather all notes in notepad and recorder, and type out a transcript

5. Do’s and Don’ts
• Do:
– Ask open-ended questions related to the topic
– Give subject complete attention
– Write down quotes word-for-word when necessary
– Be direct with interviewee and make eye-contact
• Don’t:
– Fabricate quotes
– Disrespect the subject
– Interview friends, unless necessary
– Get off topic. Stick with one topic throughout the
interview

6. An Example…