In our information-hungry age, good interview skills are a must, no matter the profession. These tips relate to interview tactics essential for journalists, but they work well for anyone in the business of gathering information.

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

2. Good interviews start
with one essential piece
of equipment:

3. Good interviews start
with one essential piece
of equipment:
That thing between your
ears

4. Make arrangements

5. Make arrangements
• Set up the interview

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

7. 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

8. 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

9. Prepare, carefully

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

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

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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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)

16. Break the ice

17. Break the ice
• Start off with a friendly greeting

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

19. 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

20. 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,

21. Keep questions short

22. Keep questions short
• Speak clearly, use complete sentences

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

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

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

26. 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 ...”)

27. 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

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

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

30. Be specific

31. 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?

32. Ask the 5 W’s and H

33. Ask the 5 W’s and H
• Who

34. Ask the 5 W’s and H
• Who
• What

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

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

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

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

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

40. Ask about specifics

41. Ask about specifics
• How many?

42. Ask about specifics
• How many?
• What color?

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

44. 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

45. Never be defensive

46. 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

47. Always be polite
Always be gracious

48. Always be polite
Even if they’re not
Always be gracious

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

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

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

52. In conclusion, always remember one thing:

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

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