Developing Interview Questions

Generally speaking, what are the best kinds of questions to ask?

• Open-ended

• Yes/no

• Leading

• Hypothetical

How many questions should you prepare for an interview?

• None

• A few

• As many as you can think of

• A baker's dozen

When should you develop your interview questions?

• While driving to the interview

• In advance of the interview

• During the interview

• After the interview to make it look like you prepared

If you have to ask a yes/no question, what should you do?

• Ask the question and move on

• Make sure all your questions are yes/no

• Have an open-ended follow-up question ready

• Ask your interviewee, "Is that your final answer?"

TRUE OR FALSE: It's okay to have a set list of questions you use for every interview

• True

• False

What are the best kinds of questions to ask to *open* your interview?

• The most confrontational. Take them by surprise, and take no prisoners.

• Conversational and pleasant to ease into the interview

• Yes/no, to get them out of the way

• None. Just stare at the interviewee for five minutes.

What question should you ask to *end* every interview?

• "Well, I had fun. Did you?"

• "Could you call my editor and tell them I did a good job?"

• "What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?"

• "Is there anything else you'd like to add or touch on that I didn't cover?"