This PowerPoint helps students to consider the concept of infinity.
Interview tips
1. Interviewing
Tips
A Guide to Getting
“the Good Stuff”
2. Go in prepared
Become an expert/do research
But don’t be afraid to admit your limited
knowledge and let them show off their
expertise*)
Think about question order (natural
segues, logical order)
Have good questions
Print out confusing/potentially
controversial stuff
3. Warm them up
Introduce yourself (Name, state your
affiliation, briefly explain the story and why
you’d like to talk to them)*
Softball questions
Build up to the juicy stuff
Exception: Breaking news
4. What’s in a name?
Get it right
Double-check it
Use “military lingo”
They spell it for you
Show it to them
GET IT RIGHT (Did I mention that?)
Check for titles at this time
5. Prep the questions
ABSOLUTELY prep questions
Number them
Don’t plan spaces
Give yourself some time to think/add
Ask your colleagues what they’d want to
know
6. The questions themselves
One word answers? Bad.
Let them tell you.
Try, “Tell me….”or “Could you explain….”
Clichés are a dime a dozen
Watch out for “duh” questions
Go off-script when needed
Don’t forget the basics: 5Ws,1H*
Get lots of specifics/details*
7. Recorders
Not always
Ask permission (with a spin)
Record it
Don’t erase it
Keep it with your notes
8. Look up from your notebook
Look at the person
Eye contact
Observe their behavior
Observe the surroundings
Put it all in the notes
Give them time to think (don’t be afraid
of a pause/silence)
Be aware of your intimidation factor and
adjust accordingly
9. Know your rights
What’s public information?
Who should you have access to?
Where can you go?
What can you see?
What is a reasonable amount of time?
Be thoughtful when exercising these rights.
10. Off the record
Controversial/Dangerous
territory
Is your name Woodward or Bernstein?
Don’t do it
11. Odds and ends
Personal shorthand
Right way to ask someone to slow down
(use it!)
Don’t take forever writing
Read back for clarity
No email interviews
Be respectful… no matter what
Leave, go to your “spot,” organize
12. *Attribution
Thisis where I mention that I borrowed a
few tips from David Sheets (Phone: 314-
971-0073 Email: dsheets@post-
dispatch.com Facebook: david.sheets
Twitter: @DKSheets )