TIPS TO INTERVIEWLIKE A PRO

Mr. Robbins

Digital Media & Communications

Interviewing

Long, formalQuick phoneWalkaroundOn-the-fly chatBackgrounder

Interviews come in all shapes, sizes

GET MOVIN’Ask politely for interview time. What time works best? Office? Home? Coffee shop?

You’re busy, they’re busy, so don’t put it off. Rush jobs are obvious and stink.

Please and thank you go a long way.

INTERVIEWING BASICSWhen you’re interviewing someone, what’s your most important skill?

Listening.Do your homework before going to an interview.

Try to make it a conversation and not a cross examination.

KEEPING CHASING“I e-mailed him two weeks ago and he hasn’t e-mail me back.”

“I left a message for him and he hasn’t called me back.”

Keep digging/chasing.It’s amazing how few students think of GOING TO MEET THE PERSON IN PERSON.

It’s allowed and encouraged.

LITTLE THINGS ARE BIG

Show up 10 minutes early.Make sure you know where you’re going.Make sure you have a notebook, plenty of WORKING

pens.Should you record it? Yes, but take notes. Check the

machine during the interview to see whether it’s working.

Carry extra batteries/SD Cards.

LITTLE BIG THINGS Dress appropriately; “young professional” and not “college

kid with holes in my pants, my butt hanging out and my hat on backward.”

Put your source at ease; get him/her talking by mentioning something on the walls or the weather or ain’t the Cowboys great.

GROUND RULESEverything is on the record.Don’t agree to a list of questions.Don’t let them review the story.Conduct an accuracy check on needed items.NO anonymous sources.

WHOM TO INTERVIEWHighest officials possible.Experts on an issue.People with opposing views.People affected.Diverse sources.

ONCE YOU GET GOINGGive the source an overview of what you plan to

talk about.Open-ended questions Listen, listen, listen.Be prepared to change directions if the source

says something that dictates it.Observe your surroundings/take notes that help

give the story flavor.

FIRST THINGS FIRST

First question to ask . . . “May I have the correct spelling of your first and last names?”

People will like that you’re trying to be accurate.

NOW WE’RE ROLLIN’Ask the easy questions first to get the source

talking.Open-ended questions are good.Save the tough stuff for the end.

“Did you embezzle $2 million from the bank?”

SILENCE IS GOLDEN Don’t be afraid of silence. It can help the source get

organized. Keep questions short; let the source do most of the talking. Highlight the good stuff. Mark tape number.

FAVORITE QUESTIONS From Pat Stith, a retired investigative reporter for the Raleigh

News and Observer:Why?What makes you say that?How do you know?How am I going to explain that to people in …?

WRAP IT UP

Two questions to ask at the end of the interview:

“Is there anything else you think we need to discuss?”

“Is there anyone else I should talk to about this story?”

Let the source get the last word.

In-person interviews

Interview pros and cons

DisadvantagesWastes time traveling and waiting

Distractions can interrupt interview

If you are uncomfortable, it becomes obvious

AdvantagesBest way to build rapport

Physical surroundings can provide useful data

People take you more seriously when you are in front of them

Setting up the interview Do your homework.

Think through story.

Determine best way to interview.

Tips for successful interviews

Continue research.

Organize questions.

Prioritize.

Tips for successful interviews

• Rehearse the interview.

• Arrive on time.

• Dress appropriately.

Preparing for the interview

Relax.Be in charge.Start with basics.Budget time.Begin with softballs.Focus

questions.

• Keep it simple.• Limit “yes/no”

questions.• Get every question

answered.• Ask follow-up

questions.• Stay flexible.

During the interview

Ask people to slow down.Don’t worry about asking a

dumb question.Look around.Use reassuring body

language.

Tips for successful interviews

• Use silence.• Don’t interrupt.• Don’t take sides.• Use the toughest

question last.

Interviewing

Many interviewers, one interviewee

Many interviewers, many interviewees

One-on-one is not the only option One interviewer,

many interviewees