Interviewing Techniques

1
Interviewing Techniques

• Objective

• to identify techniques of interviewing and to
  employ these techniques

2
Preparation for interview

• Call ahead or send e-mail to schedule an
  interview.
• Identify yourself by name and publication. Give
  the nature of the article
• Be punctual
• Do your homework.
• Dress with respect for the person you are
  interviewing
• Write down key questions before the interview.
• It's easier for a source to hang up a telephone
  than slam a door in your face.
• Avoid ambush interviews. Be honest. Don't mislead
  your source -- that can be more trouble than it's
  worth

3
During the interview

• Make eye contact. Nod, smile and look interested.
  Now is not the time to zone out.
• Use the interviewees name
• Take good notes discreetly.
• Observe the surroundings. Look for details that
  set a mood, reveal personality

4
Interviewing StyleDos

• Start by asking easy questions and get tougher as
  you go. Save controversial questions for near the
  end, but dont skip them
• Ask open-ended questions
• Let the source fill the awkward moments. Allow
  the subject to stray from the topic. You may get
  another or better story that way. However,
  remain in control of the interview
• Get all your information the first time
• Double check spelling of all names and addresses

5
Interviewing style-donts

• Don't start out by antagonizing your source.
• Don't talk too much. Give the subject time to
  answer questions completely
• Dont ignore body language
• Do not let your opinion of the interviewee or
  what he/she represents influence your questions
  or demeanor

6
After the interview

• check your list of questions to ensure you asked
  them.
• Ask Is there anything else I should ask?
• Thank the interviewee.
• Re-read your notes immediately after the
  interview.
• Write a three- to five-sentence summary in your
  notebook at the end of each interview

7
Taking notes in interview

• Develop your own note-taking system. Use
  abbreviations. Use texting method
• Jot a question mark in the margin if you need to
  clarify a point before the interview ends.
• Always put quotation marks around direct quotes.
  Dont fixate on quotes.
• If the subject is saying something you wont use
  or arent interested in, dont write it down
• Note changes in body language

8
What types of questions should I ask?

• Open ended questionsWhy, how, describe, what?
• Interesting questions

9
What types of questions should I ask?

• If stuck, ask stock questionsthose that can
  apply to almost anyone in that position
• Who has influenced you in your life
• What is the one quality you have that you admire,
  regret
• Steer away from est questions best memory, worst
  experience, best game etc

10
What about taping devices?--always get permission

• Pros
• Obtain exact quotes
• Can hear the tone
• Get more accurate details

• Cons
• Outside noise may interfere
• Interview may be more awkward
• Interviewee may be less willing to give
  information

11
Taping --Always continue to take notes

• Qualifies important informationnames, figures,
  dates
• Maintains a sense of interest on part of
  reporter.

12
What about the internet interview?

• E-mail questions/use chat rooms
• Face- to-face interview is still preferable
• body language
• gestures
• If doing research, can post a note in newsgroup
  to solicit opinions.

13
Going off the record

• Reporter can use information , not give sources
• Reporter cannot use information at all
• Reporter and interviewee can agree to rules.
• Agree when interview is back on the record
• No info off the record unless reporter agrees
• If reporter accepts off-the-record cannot divulge
  source or information

14
Pre-publication checking

• Source wishes to red story before publication
• Used to be NO
• Now some reporters are reading back stories to
  sources
• 1. Good PR
• 2. Eliminates mistakes
• 3. Avoids libel cases (must show malice)

15
Writing the interview story

• Be specific in description
• Use details that tell what the person has done
• Do not use physical characteristics
• Use quotes oftenbring the person to life
• Do not say I asked or when asked
• Q and A Reporter not part of the story more
  objective but lazy