Tips for the interviewing process

GETTING THE INTERVIEW

• Be courteous, confident and complete: When dealing with reluctant people, don't threaten. Instead, tell them about the story you're doing and why you need to interview them.
• "Fairness and accuracy": Reluctant interviewees often think you're just out to get them. Be firm - "I'm going to be doing a story regardless of whether you talk to me." But then quickly add this: "I want to be as fair and accurate as I possibly can. That's why I want to talk with you - to ensure my story is fair . . .balanced . . .has your point of view in it. And I want it to be accurate, and you can help me ensure the accuracy."
• Never take no for an answer: On the phone or in person, let THEM be the ones to end the conversation, not you. Look for common ground - a mutual friend, a shared interest - anything to make them more comfortable.

PREPARING FOR THE INTERVIEW

• Be prepared: Not knowing your subject matter can have dire consequences. The person being interviewed can buffalo you. Or they can shade the truth. Or they can be nonresponsive.
• Step back: Sometimes, thorough research can leave you feeling like there's nothing new to ask this person (often the case in celebrity/feature interviews). Take a step back; momentarily erase what you've learned if needed in order to prepare your questions. Think of ways to go deeper on a particular topic the subject may have talked about time and time again.
• Craft the questions: Neutral, open-ended questions are best (how, why, what). Generally, you'll want to prepare very exact questions the more limited the time for the interview (press conference, phoner, controversial issue that may prompt the source to slam down the phone.) If you plan to spend the whole day with someone and anticipate a more conversational approach, a few topics or key words jotted down may be sufficient.
• Game the interview: Close your eyes and imagine how the interview will begin. Imagine yourself knocking on the door and introducing yourself. Visualize yourself being confident and asking the first few questions. In your mind, play out different scenarios for the interview and roll-play how you will react to each one. What if the target is belligerent? What if he/she isn't talkative?

GETTING STARTED

• Be confident, but be courteous: You're not a vice cop. And you're not on TV; so don't act like Mike Wallace on uppers. Be endlessly courteous, but be firm. Don't sermonize, don't accuse, and don't scold. Simply ask the questions in a confident, persistent manner.
• Interview site: If possible, interview the person at the place most appropriate for the story. If it's about a sailboat racer, go out sailing with them. If it's a great chef, go into the kitchen.
• Define the terms: If you do agree to speak with someone on background or off the record, explain to them your understanding of those terms.

INTERVIEWING TIPS

• Listen: It's amazing the times a novice interviewer will ask a question that has just been answered. Pay attention. Don't ask questions as if you're checking them off a "to do" list. Learn to build the interview as much on the answers as on questions. If a source makes an assertion, follow up with a question asking for evidence to support it.
• Don't aim with a double barrel: If you ask two questions at once, the subject will pick the one he'd rather answer and move on.
• Don't answer the question for them or "lead" the interviewee: "What was it like to be a hostage. It must have been very frightening and lonely and scary?"..."Well, yes, I was scared."
• Credibility: Don't hesitate to constantly ask: "How do you know that?" or "How did you learn that?"
• Slow down on the curves: When you start wading into critical information, slow the interview down. Ask the source of key pieces of information you're getting. Try to get the color - "Where were you standing when it happened?" or "What was the weather like?"

"NEXT OF KIN" INTERVIEWS

• Assess the situation: Before trying to interview the next of kin, try to get a handle on their demeanor. Talk to neighbors or friends who knew the deceased, then work the conversation around to asking how the next of kin are doing. Or, if they belong to a church, try to get to their pastor.
• Do it in person: When possible, always better.
• Hit the window: There's frequently a brief window of opportunity for a next of kin interview - perhaps a half day after they get the bad news. In many cases, this is the time when people WANT to talk about their dearly departed. When approaching them, be honest. Let them know you want to give readers a complete picture of their loved one.

ENDING THE INTERVIEW

• The catchall ending: As you're closing the interview, ask: "What else should I know about this?"
• Review the high points: It's never bad to go back over the high points of what was said. It lets the interviewee know what you're focusing on, and it lets you clarify any fuzzy information.
• Your recollection "window": As soon as you leave the interview, go someplace and quickly review your notes. Amplify on anything that's unclear. Write down all the color you can remember.