11
Can we talk? Can we talk? 10 keys to get the most 10 keys to get the most from your interviews. from your interviews.

Can we talk? 10 keys to get the most from your interviews

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

Page 1: Can we talk? 10 keys to get the most from your interviews

Can we talk?Can we talk?

10 keys to get the most from 10 keys to get the most from your interviews.your interviews.

Page 2: Can we talk? 10 keys to get the most from your interviews

Key 1: Be preparedKey 1: Be prepared

Research before you interviewResearch before you interviewWrite questions well in advanceWrite questions well in advanceTry to see things from the reader’s Try to see things from the reader’s

point of view.point of view.

Page 3: Can we talk? 10 keys to get the most from your interviews

Key 2: Be professionalKey 2: Be professional

Dress appropriatelyDress appropriatelyShake hands, make eye contactShake hands, make eye contactBe seriousBe seriousNever ever say “can I get a quote.”Never ever say “can I get a quote.”

Page 4: Can we talk? 10 keys to get the most from your interviews

Key 3:Be a good listenerKey 3:Be a good listener

An interview is like a conversation. An interview is like a conversation. Get your subject talking.Get your subject talking.

Don’t be afraid of silence.Don’t be afraid of silence.Don’t comment on or add to your Don’t comment on or add to your

subject’s answers.subject’s answers.Be ready to ask follow-ups.Be ready to ask follow-ups.

Page 5: Can we talk? 10 keys to get the most from your interviews

Key 4: Ask questions that will Key 4: Ask questions that will get them talkingget them talking

Avoid “yes” or “no” questionsAvoid “yes” or “no” questions Ask them to describe, evaluate, tell about Ask them to describe, evaluate, tell about

favorite experiencesfavorite experiences ““What was it like to. . .What was it like to. . . ““Describe. . . “Describe. . . “ What’s the best/worst experience. . .”What’s the best/worst experience. . .” What’s the most gratifying/most embarrassing. What’s the most gratifying/most embarrassing.

. .. . NEVER EVER CONDUCT INTERVIEWS VIA NEVER EVER CONDUCT INTERVIEWS VIA

SURVEY OR EMAIL.SURVEY OR EMAIL.

Page 6: Can we talk? 10 keys to get the most from your interviews

KEY 5: If you get behind in your KEY 5: If you get behind in your notetaking, don’t be afraid to notetaking, don’t be afraid to

have silence while you catch up.have silence while you catch up.

It looks professional when you say It looks professional when you say “can you repeat that, I want to make “can you repeat that, I want to make sure I get it exactly right.sure I get it exactly right.

Other tipsOther tipsUse a tape recorderUse a tape recorderDevelop a system of short handDevelop a system of short handMark direct quotes as you take ‘em downMark direct quotes as you take ‘em downSometimes ask a “filler” question to buy Sometimes ask a “filler” question to buy

time.time.

Page 7: Can we talk? 10 keys to get the most from your interviews

Key Six: So long as you Key Six: So long as you prepared, there are no dumb prepared, there are no dumb

questionsquestionsBetter to be overly thorough than Better to be overly thorough than

inaccurate.inaccurate.Be honest—explain you don’t know Be honest—explain you don’t know

the subject well and want to get it the subject well and want to get it right for your readers.right for your readers.

MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE ANSWER BEFORE YOU MOVE ON.ANSWER BEFORE YOU MOVE ON.

Page 8: Can we talk? 10 keys to get the most from your interviews

Key 7: Don’t be afraid to ask Key 7: Don’t be afraid to ask tough questions.tough questions.

Pick the right timePick the right time If it’s a really, really controversial If it’s a really, really controversial

question, save it for last.question, save it for last.Don’t be afraid to preface with “I Don’t be afraid to preface with “I

know this is a really difficult question.know this is a really difficult question.

Page 9: Can we talk? 10 keys to get the most from your interviews

Key 8: Don’t be afraid to play Key 8: Don’t be afraid to play Devil’s AdvocateDevil’s Advocate

Very helpful when dealing with Very helpful when dealing with administrators, others trying to feed you the administrators, others trying to feed you the corporate line.corporate line.

Ex: “Mr. Grimes, I know you said hats are Ex: “Mr. Grimes, I know you said hats are banned because you feel they disrupt the banned because you feel they disrupt the learning environment, but during spirit week learning environment, but during spirit week we had hat day and we seemed to learn just we had hat day and we seemed to learn just fine. To what extent would it be fair to say fine. To what extent would it be fair to say that this shows students can handle wearing that this shows students can handle wearing hats and learning at the same time.hats and learning at the same time.

Page 10: Can we talk? 10 keys to get the most from your interviews

Key 9: Stay in control of the Key 9: Stay in control of the interviewinterview

Remember, you’re providing a service to Remember, you’re providing a service to your readers. You have a responsibility to your readers. You have a responsibility to get answers. Even the tough ones. If your get answers. Even the tough ones. If your subject ducks away, rephrase the subject ducks away, rephrase the question. If they ramble, look for a subtle question. If they ramble, look for a subtle way to get them back on subject.way to get them back on subject.

Avoid “off the record” answers.Avoid “off the record” answers. Never let the subject see your notes.Never let the subject see your notes. Avoid anonymous sources unless Avoid anonymous sources unless

absolutely necessary (consult your editors absolutely necessary (consult your editors and/or staff policy).and/or staff policy).

Page 11: Can we talk? 10 keys to get the most from your interviews

Key 10: End by thanking the Key 10: End by thanking the subject and establishing subject and establishing

guidelines for follow ups, if guidelines for follow ups, if necessary.necessary.

A pretty good closing question is “Is there anything else A pretty good closing question is “Is there anything else you’d like to add.”you’d like to add.”

Many reporters will double-check name spellings, job titles Many reporters will double-check name spellings, job titles etc. etc.

If you start and end on a professional note, people will be If you start and end on a professional note, people will be impressed. The more impressed, the better your impressed. The more impressed, the better your reputation, the more access you get.reputation, the more access you get.