A Basic Guide for Amateur Interviewers

Interviews are a great way to get exclusive content for your publication. It's also a chance to use the fame and name recognition of someone bigger to attract readership. When you conduct the interview, not only are you nervous, but you also have to remained poised, intelligent, and polite. Although this may seem daunting, it doesn't have to be if you are prepared.

Preparation For the Big Day

Before you go off and meet with the interviewee, it is important to have some basic things covered: First, know what the person you are interviewing has accomplished or what they spoke about. There is nothing more unprofessional and grating than an unprepared interviewer.

Have a paper and pen ready to jot down what they say. If you think you might not be able to catch everything they are going to say, ask before hand if it's ok to tape record the interview. Also, prepare a set of questions to ask, and anticipate the interviewee's answers. That way, in case there is a lull in the conversation, you can be ready with the next question.

And finally, relax! In some cases, the interviewee is probably just as nervous as you are, if not more! If they are not, then they probably understand the pressure you feel as an amateur interviewer.

Do's and Don'ts

Do: "Well Mr. X, I heard you recently completed your Doctorate while studying the indigenous cultures of the rain forest. How did you manage?"

Don't: "Tell me about what you do."

Do: "The lecture you gave on genetic sequencing was fascinating and had some interesting implications for preventative medicine. Would you mind elaborating a little on how exactly that works?"

Don't: "I didn't go to your last lecture. Could you give me the Sparknotesversion of it?"

Do: "You have made the cover of Time, Newsweek, and various other major magazines. How Does that make you feel?"

Don't: "How Do you spell your last name?"

Do: Be ready to take abbreviated notes so that you can pay attention to what itis they are saying.

Don't: Ask them to repeat anything longer than a word, or be so into writingthat you ignore them completely.

Do: Ask if it's OK for the interviewee to be tape recorded.

Don't: Assume that it is ok to tape record your interview, potentially riskinglosing the piece altogether and legal trouble.

Do: "Well Mr. X, I heard you recently completed your Doctorate while studying the indigenous cultures of the rainforest. How did you manage?"

Don't: "Tell me about what you do."

Do: "The lecture you gave on genetic sequencing was fascinating and had some interesting implications for preventative medicine. Would you mind elaborating a little on how exactly that works?"

Don't: "I didn't go to your last lecture. Could you give me the Spar knotes version of it?"

Do: "You have made the cover of Time, Newsweek, and various other major magazines. How Does that make you feel?"

Don't: "How Do you spell your last name?"

Do: Be ready to take abbreviated notes so that you can pay attention to what it is they are saying.

Don't: Ask them to repeat anything longer than a word, or be so into writing that you ignore them completely.

Do: Ask if it's OK for the interviewee to be tape recorded.

Don't: Assume that it is ok to tape record your interview, potentially risking losing the piece altogether and legal trouble.

Taking it all down

Whether it be a phone interview, or a casual lunch, it is important to jot down the answers your interviewee is supplying. If they do not want to be tape recorded, make sure you have at least two pens (in case one fails), a note pad, and a rested hand. Take down things in shorthand; this way, you will have more time for detail. Simply make sure you will be able to decipher it later!

It is also important to pay attention to your interviewee. Learning to write without having to constantly look down is an invaluable skill to have. You do not want to ignore the interviewee for long periods of time, or be so caught up in catching everything he/she says that you make him/her regret ever meeting with you.