Interview

Interview 101

by Tonneche Brown

​Step 1: Research, Research, Research

​Then research some more. The only way to come up with good questions is to know everything there is to know about your subject.

Conducting an In Person Interview​

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Open Ended

Why is it important to research?

​Step 2: Contact the Person You Wish to Interview

​Ask when a good time would be to do the interview. Be polite. Say "please" and "thank you." Try to set up the interview in person.

Open Ended

What two comment is important to say when asking a person to interview them?

​Step 3: Read Over Your Research and Brainstorm a List of 15 Questions

​The more specific your questions are, the better. and never ask questions that can be answered with a simple yes or no. Make your interviewee talk.

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​Be sure to write all your questions down in a notebook, then practice asking them wit a partner. Become very familiar with your questions before you go into the interview.

Open Ended

What type of question should never be asked in an interview?

Open Ended

After writing your questions in a notebook, you should

​Step 4: Come Prepared

​You will want to bring:

• ​A pencil

• ​A notebook

• ​A list of good questions

• ​A recording device (always ask permission before recording an interview)

Open Ended

Which item do you need to bring to the interview?

Open Ended

Before recording an interview, you should first

​Step 5: Be on Time

​Arrive at your interview with plenty of time to spare. If you've never been to the place where your interview is taking place, go early and scout it out.

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​You can also use the time you are waiting to make notes about the surroundings. You won't remember detail later, so write them down.

Open Ended

What is the better practice for being on time?

Open Ended

If you've never been to the place where your interview is taking place, you should

​Step 6: Conduct Your Interview in an Organized, Timely Manner

During the interview

• Be courteous to your subject.

• ​Always take time to ask for an explanation about things you don't understand.

• ​Let the interview take its natural course.

• ​Look the person in the eye when asking questions.

• ​Always listen carefully to the answers. Each answer could lead to more questions or include an answer to a question you haven't asked. Don't ask a question that has already been answered. Your subject will know you have been listening and be insulted.

• ​Don't read through you question right after another like you can't wait to be finished. Conduct your interview like a conversation. One question should lead naturally into another. If you are LISTENING to the answers this will come naturally.

• ​Also, take notes on what the person looked like, what the person was wearing, where her or se sat. If the interview is in a office, make notes of what is on the walls and the desk. The objects people surround themselves with hold important clues to their personalities. Ask about any object that interests you. You'll find some good stories.

Open Ended

How should you treat the subject?

Open Ended

If you do not understand something, you should

Open Ended

Why is it important not to ask a question you already have the answer to?

Open Ended

In the interview your conversation should flow

​Step 7: Even If You Are Recording an Interview, Take Notes

​Don't try to write every word said. It will slow down the interview. Just take down the highlights.

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​After the interview, while the details are still fresh in your mind, write everything down you can remember about the person you interviewed. Don't forget to make note of the sounds in the background. Take note of what happening around you. Write it all sown as soon as possible

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​At home, expand your notes by following up on things you learned in your interview with more research.

Open Ended

Why is it important to take notes even if you record the interview?

Open Ended

Why shouldn't write down every word said?

Open Ended

Once you are home, what should you do?

​Step 8: Review Your Research and Your Interview Notes

​Circle or highlight quotations that you think will be good for your article. Now you 're ready to begin writing.

Multiple Choice

Knowing as much as possible about your subject will allow you to feel 

• Like a Boss

• Prepared and in Control

• Nervous 

• Afraid

Multiple Choice

An interview questions should always clarify and meet your

• Deadline

• Timeline

• Objective

• Interviewee

Multiple Choice

At the beginning of an interview, you such always start will prepared 

• Small Talk

• Snacks

• Jokes

• Questions

Open Ended

If you are ask the question, " Tell me about yourself" what answer is the interviewer expecting?

Open Ended

When asked how do you deal with tight deadlines, how would should you answer this question?