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
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
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)
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,
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
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?
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
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
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