Interviewing101

Interviewing

This will be you

Adapted from Adapted from ““What Questions Do We AskWhat Questions Do We Ask”” by Carol Hallenbeck, by Carol Hallenbeck, Practical Ideas For Teaching JournalismPractical Ideas For Teaching Journalism

Journalists Ask Questions

• What is the team going to do to get ready for the big game, coach?

• Why did the school board make that decision, sir?

• How do you think this new program will benefit the French department, Madame Zerr?

Research the topic before the interview

• Make sure to get to know the person or the topic before the interview.

Prepare questions ahead of time• Make sure to make a list of questions ahead of

time.• These questions should not be able to be answered

with a simple “yes” or “no.”• Write questions that make the interviewee answer

with a statement. This will yield better quotes.• Get as many specific details as possible.• Remember that an interview is a conversation.• Make sure your questions are specific and short.

At the interview• Be on time

– Remember, you are taking their time.• Be patient

– Make sure the person has finished answering a question before going to the next.

• Be flexible– Be ready to change your line of interviewing

if the person has more interesting things to say.

…at the interview

• Be quiet– You want the person you are interviewing to do

most of the talking• Be smart

– Ask the tough questions last. That way, if the person refuses to answer, at least you will have all of the other information you need

• Be polite– Remember to say “Thank You.”

Type of Questions

• Always have a list of questions prepared

• Don’t be afraid to stray from your prepared questions if the person starts talking about other interesting items.

The Opener

• A beginning question or remark to start the interview in a non-threatening manner– Comment on the weather – Comment on something in the office – Comment on something of interest to the interviewee – MOST IMPORTANT: Gain their trust of your

thoroughness, by asking for the spelling of their name and double-checking you wrote it down correctly.

First Step Question

• Address the topic of the interview– Reporter: “When I made the appointment, I

said that I wanted to ask you about the preparations the Trivia Team is making for Saturday’s competition. Would you tell me exactly what you are doing?”

Qualifier Question

• How qualified is the source?

• Reporter: “Mrs. Biblioteca, how many years have you been the sponsor?”

Routine Factual Questions

• Ask the basics…

• The Who, What, Why, When, Where, and How information

• What is trivia, who are the members, etc.

Numerical Questions

• Numerical questions provide statistical information

• How many years has the school competed? How many times has the school won?

Open-Ended Question Openers

• What do you think…

• Why do you think…

• How do you feel about…

• Tell me about…

In-depth QuestionsG-O-S-S-E-Y

Goals

Obstacles

Solutions

Start

Evaluations

Y

Most Critical Step: Listen

• Good interviewers are good __________

• Listen for the pearls and diamonds

• Ask a “responder” to find out more– Oh?– Really?– Would you explain what you mean?– Can you give me an example?

Quote Accurately

• Don’t be afraid to ask, “Do I have this down right?”

• NEVER promise to let anyone review your story in advance.

Solicit Anecdotes

• Get the stories that show the source and cohorts in action

• Ask directly: What is the most exciting moment your remember in a Trivia Team match? Did any of your players do anything dumb? Was there a time when you substituted a player whose substitution won or lost the game?

Follow-up Questions

• Ask questions that you think of on the spur of the moment based on what the interviewee said.

Imaginative Questions

• Often redirect the interview. Ask something you thought of because of a source’s answer.

• “Do your team members carry good luck charms?” “Why do you believe there are no girls on the academic team?”

Finally…

• Remember to take good notes or tape record the interview.

• Pay attention to the answers you are given.• Don’t be afraid to ask the subject to repeat or

slow down.• Find a quiet place to conduct the interview.• Make sure to ask how to spell the person’s name.• Make sure to listen intently.

Conclude the Interview

• Thank the source for his/her time.

• Ask if you can check back if you have any further questions.

• Invite the interviewee to call you if they find they have more to say.

• Collect phone numbers, e-mail addresses, etc. and leave yours.

“Off the Record”

• If the source tells a reporter that what s/he is about to say is “off the record,” this means the source does not want the information printed. If the reporter listens to the information, s/he is bound by reporter’s ethics not to publish it.

• To relieve yourself of responsibility, say “If I cannot print it, please do not give me the information.”

• If you do listen to it, you may try to find someone who does want it printed.

No Comment

• If the source says “No comment,” this means s/he will not answer the question.

• Why s/he won’t talk is of interest.

• Reporters must rely on information from elsewhere to make the story happen.