Unit D - Interviewing Skills and Techniques

Question 1

What are the basics of an interview?

Answer 1

Who, what, when, where, why, how.

Question 2

If an interview is contentious, what must you do?

Answer 2

Get both sides.

Question 3

If there are allegations in an interview, what must you do?

Answer 3

Give the accused an opportunity for rebuttal.

Question 4

When interviewing a spokesperson for a club or organisation, what must you make sure of?

Answer 4

That person has the authority to be a spokesperson.

Question 5

What must you always tell an interviewee, except in exceptional circumstances?

Answer 5

That you are a journalist working for a named publication.

Question 6

What is good about email, text, and messaging apps?

Answer 6

Straightforward interviews, matter not particularly contentious or important, only need a few quotes.

Question 7

What is good about email interviews?

Answer 7

Can be useful if the info required is detailed/technical.

Question 8

What is the advantage of face-to-face interviews?

Answer 8

• more quotes
• learn more about a person
• body languages is telling - which questions interviewee wants to avoid, feels uncomfortable with, finds difficult to answer

Question 9

What is it important to remember when you are interviewing a person?

Answer 9

You need to relate to them.

Question 10

What is it important to remember when you are interviewing a person in distress?

Answer 10

Always treat with compassion and respect.

Question 11

What must you remember when conducting a ‘death knock’ interview?

Answer 11

Codes of conduct.

Question 12

What are the nine things you must remember in preparation for an interview?

Answer 12

1. find out deadline
2. find out expected story length
3. find out type of story expected
4. make appointment with interviewee
5. research subject thoroughly
6. frame suitable questions in advance
7. check route
8. have necessary recording materials
9. be suitably dressed

Question 13

What must you do in a face-to-face interview introduction? (two)

Answer 13

• make sure you’re meeting correct person, check name spelling and other details
• say who you are and who you represent

Question 14

What are the manners you must be aware of when conducting a face-to-face interview? (three)

Answer 14

• be pleasant and polite
• if not invited to sit, ask if you may do so
• don’t be overfamiliar or use interviewee’s first name unless invited to do so or think appropriate

Question 15

How should you establish rapport in a face-to-face interview? (seven)

Answer 15

• put subject at ease
• show interest/enthusiasm if justified
• try to gauge interviewee’s mood but keep objectivity
• don’t apologise for using notebook or ask if you may do so - expected practice
• beware that interviewee may be put off if you bring out notebook too soon
• decide when time is right
• establish and maintain eye contact

Question 16

How should you establish facts in a face-to-face interview? (sixteen)

Answer 16

• avoid yes/no questions
• avoid negative questions
• ask questions that lead to clear answers
• learn to listen and be as natural as possible with interviewee
• think about what answers mean
• think in areas of knowledge, fill in details and go over things
• think of what the reader wants to know
• keep comments non-committal
• never reveal personal political preference
• check spellings of names and places
• clarify vague answers
• don’t ask too many questions at once
• consider whether photo is appropriate
• leave difficult/contentious questions until last
• when interviewee finishes, check if prepared questions have been answered
• finish by asking if there is anything interviewee would like to add

Question 17

How should you close a face-to-face interview? (three)

Answer 17

• leave business card or name and phone number
• get their phone number and/or address and if necessary find out how to contact them
• thank interviewee for their time

Question 18

What should you do if an interviewee wants something off the record?

Answer 18

• ask them why
• ask which parts could be used without causing problems
• last resort: ask if info could be used without attribution to this source

Question 19

Why should you beware of promising to keep info confidential?

Answer 19

May agree to Source A to keep info confidential if absolutely necessary, but if Source B gives similar info freely then there is nothing to stop you using it.

Question 20

What else must you remember to avoid encountering problems when interviewing?

Answer 20

Legalities regarding mentioning names and libel laws.

Question 21

Why and how should you resist if interviewees insist on seeing the story before it is published?

Answer 21

• not normal practice as production deadlines make it impossible
• skim through notes and outline points you are likely to use
• as a last resort, with express permission of chief reporter, news editor, or editor, offer to read copy over the phone
• never agree to hand copy over to the interviewee

Question 22

Why should you never give assurance that a story won’t be published?

Answer 22

This is up to the editor only.

Question 23

What should you consider when preparing for a telephone interview? (four)

Answer 23

• keep questions to the point and down to a minimum as faster pace
• find out about the interviewee beforehand
• find out appropriate person to contact and ask for him/her by name
• if in doubt, go to the top

Question 24

What should you consider regarding telephone interview availability? (five)

Answer 24

• some people regard a phone call as an intrusion
• can be dodged easily
• reason may be genuine - arrange to call back at later time
• person may not want to talk to a faceless inquisitor or doubts your credentials
• take into account person’s likely daily routine and apologise if calling during anti-social hours

Question 25

What must you be aware of regarding telephone interview conduct? (fifteen)

Answer 25

• avoid lengthy preliminaries
• ready notebook and pen, give yourself lots of space
• speak into mouthpiece
• identify yourself even if already done so to operator/secretary
• be courteous
• explain situation briefly
• if necessary, explain deadline
• ask prepared questions - make sure you get basics answers
• avoid long pauses as you note down answers
• listen carefully
• sum up info before finishing - double-check for accuracy
• say where you can be contacted and find out where you can get in touch if necessary
• be courteous - thank for their time
• develop a good telephone manner and voice

Question 26

When is email to be used when interviewing?

Answer 26

If it is the only way to get someone to respond.

Question 27

How best should you prepare for an email interview? (five)

Answer 27

• compile a comprehensive list of questions
• identify who can best give you the answers you need - if in doubt, go to the top
• introductory email stating who you are and what you want the person to talk about - make it clear you’d rather take a phone call
• find out as much as you can about interviewee
• research story thoroughly so you know exactly what you need from the person

Question 28

What should you be aware of when conducting an email interview? (six)

Answer 28

• 15 to 20 questions
• begin email with apology for list length and explain necessity for in-depth interview
• open questions work best, structure to avoid one-word answers
• come up with questions that need detailed answers supported by facts and figures
• drawback of email interviews: hard to get strong reaction quotes
• last question: ‘anything else?’ and thank them for their time

Question 29

Why is it increasingly difficult to speak to decision makers?

Answer 29

Many organisations have press departments.

Question 30

Why do some stories need you to speak directly with the managing director, etc.?

Answer 30

When holding organisation to account.

Question 31

What is the drawback of approaching a press office for an interview?

Answer 31

Can be declined or MD can be briefed on how to avoid difficult questions.

Question 32

What may you have to do to speak with a decision maker?

Answer 32

Ring organisation and ask to speak to them. Put case politely.

Question 33

What must you not do when attempting to interview a decision maker?

Answer 33

Use subterfuge or tell lies.

Question 34

What is the best way to speak to a decision maker?

Answer 34

Build contacts.

Question 35

What are the disadvantages of recording an entire interview?

Answer 35

Listening back is time-consuming and it is difficult to find key quotes.

Question 36

What is the best way of using a recording?

Answer 36

As a back-up, esp. if contentious.

Question 37

What should you always do when recording?

Answer 37

Let people know you are doing so.

Question 38

What must you be aware of regarding ambient/background noise?

Answer 38

It can be useful or a distraction.