Brushing Up On Interview Skills

Due to the enormous variety in writing styles it is important to have some idea of what you should do if you are called upon to conduct an interview for the purpose of compiling a print story.
The best interviews happen when you can conduct the discussion in a fashion that allows the person you are interviewing to feel as if they are simply sitting down to a cup of coffee with someone who is interested in the issues that they find important.
Always remember to conduct adequate research on the individual and topic so your questions will strike a chord with the person you are interviewing. NEVER ask questions that simply require a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ response. It may be easy to fall into this trap, but it provides little in the way of substance for your article.
Bad Question
Have you been interested in thermodynamics all your life?
Good Question
How did you decide to get involved in the study of thermodynamics?
In the first case the respondent can get by with a yes or no response, but in the second it will require a more thoughtful and quotable response.
Always come to the interview with many more questions than you expect to be able to ask. This will leave the person you interview with the belief that you are very interested in the subject matter and could continue to talk about it long past the predetermined end of the conversation. If you wind up with too few questions, the interviewee may feel that they are boring you.
If you are the only person that will be interviewing the guest make sure to keep the conversation light initially allowing the guest to gain a sense of comfort. This skill often results in a much better overall interview.
Always use a recording device so there should be no excuse for a misquote and always make sure your cell phone is turned off. If there are any interruptions make sure it is the interviewers choice to be interrupted. Be sure to take notes throughout the interview, it helps organize your thoughts and points back to quotes you’d like to use – it also allows the guest to see that you are interested in the conversation. Always check your guest’s assertions after the fact to ensure that the truth is presented well. Often a guest will consent to an interview if they believe it can further their agenda so use modest skepticism and common sense in conducting the interview and in your article construction.
In most cases is advisable to gain an opposing opinion to provide balanced coverage of the topic unless the article is specifically about the individual and less about a topic.