Interviewing Tips [16]

This should happen BEFORE the interview to ensure that you ask good questions and know what you're talking about.

• research

• take notes

• be on time

• follow up

As you conduct the interview, develop a way to listen, make eye contact and do this as normally as possible while keeping the facts straight.

• research

• take notes

• be on time

• follow up

This is essential as it sets the tone for the entire experience. If you don't, your source may decide you don't really care about the time after all.

• research

• take notes

• be on time

• follow up

During and after the interview, be sure to do this if you have any other questions or need clarification.

• research

• take notes

• be on time

• follow up

This is another VERY important aspect of the interview. Your follow-up questions (things you didn't plan to ask) come directly from your ability to do this:

• listen

• recording devices

• practice

• thank

Use these ONLY if you have the permission of those you are interviewing before the session starts.

• listen

• recording devices

• practice

• thank

All aspects of interviewing - notetaking, asking open ended questions, creating a conversation - get better with this

• listen

• recording devices

• practice

• thank

At the conclusion of an interview, doing this shows your source that you value their time and shared information. It's just polite!

• listen

• recording devices

• practice

• thank

As you conduct an interview, do this as inconspicuously as possible, but gurarantee that completeness and accuracy prevail!

• take notes

• direct quote

• off the record

• clarify

When your source gives a unique answer that you want to use in your story, be absolutely sure that you get it word for word in your notes so it can be a . . .

• take notes

• direct quote

• off the record

• clarify