Interview Tips #6 – 8: Final Thoughts
Tip #6 – Don’t let your pre-prepared questions dictate the interview
I pretty much covered this in Tip #5. Try to let the interview move along naturally. If the interviewee covers a topic you were going to ask about later, let them follow that line of thought and ask any related questions. If new and better questions arise out of what is being said then ask them. Only return to your pre-planned interview notes if things go completely off topic.
Tip #7 – Relax!
I’ve said it already but it is worth saying again. Relax! Your interview will be so much better for it. And you’ll enjoy it more too.
Tip #8 – Say Thank You
Remember always to thank your guest at the end of the interview, but also follow-up with a thank you card/note of thanks. It’s just good manners and good karma. Most interviewees also appreciate a copy of the interview for their records. If you are working in a niche then bad news will travel fast within the community. On the other hand, a good experience could furnish you with more willing interviewees or a chance for a follow-up interview later on.
If you have any questions about interviewing that have arisen from my Interviewing Tips posts, please post them in the comments section below.
May 10th, 2010 at 9:22 am
I just want to say a big thank you to you Lisa for your invaluable help you’ve given me with Pamela (Skype), Audacity and here with interviewing tips. Please don’t stop posting stuff. You are one of the golden links in the chain of creativity (yes, I know that sounds cheesy, it just popped into my head and I thought ‘What the heck?’)