Interviewing Notes

• Choose 3 interviewees
• Schedule Interviews (24+ hours)
• Give a "heads up"
• Conduct background research
• Write interview questions

Why prepare questions?

• It's your job!
• 1st impressions
• Nervous; unexpected circumstances
• Higher quality questions
• Preparation is a guide, not a limitation

HOLY TRINITY OF INTERVIEWING

Anedote: a brief story told by interviewee, usually paraphrased by writer, entertaining, paints a picture for reader

Revealing Quote: Siad by interviewee, gives readers insight to personality

Portraiture: Description created by riter, based on observations of interviewee

Preparation Payoff: varying types for various purposes, to relax, gain trust, show interest

TYPES OF QUESTIONS:

1. Opener: beginning question/remark; establish a rapport ("Oh, cute pictures. Are those your children?")

2. First Step: asks about the topic ("I wanted to talk to you about the upcoming whatever")

3. Qualifier: Find out if the source is qualified ("What is your role in the fundraising efforts?")

4. Routine factual: 5W's and H ("Who is on the committee? When will the fundraiser be?")

5. Numerical: Statistical information ("How many years have you had this fundraiser? How much money do you hope to raise?")

6. G-O-S-S-E-Y: a way to ask deeper questions; goals, obstacles, solutions, start, evaluation, why

7. Responder: clarification ("Would you explain what you mean? I'm not sure I understood")

8. Soliciting a quote: a specific question. ("Tell me exactly what your hope is for this fundraiser")

9. Soliciting an anedote: prompts a short story ("What has been the most memorable aspect of this process")

10. Imaginative: strays from routine ("Does your team have any superstitions")

11. Grenade: difficult questions ("Some people say you favor certain players. Would you comment on this?") Recover From Grenade: a neutral question ("Any last minute strategies to work on before the game?)

CONCLUDING THE INTERVIEW

• "Thank you..."
• Sign document sheet
• Further questions

BEWARE...

• Not everyone is a great interviewee
• Plan ahead...unforeseen circumstances