Conducting an Interview

1
Conducting an Interview

• How to develop Open Ended questions

2
PREPARATION
3
Step ONE

• What information do I need?
• Topic?
• Depth?
• Who would know? Who could I contact?

4
Step TWO

• How can I best gather the info?
• Explain . . . . .
• Describe . . . .
• What did that feel like, look like, smell like,
  sound like?

5
OPEN ENDED QUESTIONS

• Require more than a Yes or No answer
• Require more than a one or two word response

6
Example Questions

• If there was no electricity or TV, what did you
  do for fun?
• Describe the type of person who could be your
  hero.
• Would you explain how you were able to get that
  information?
• Could you tell me the story about . . .

7
Step THREE

• Making contact / arrange
• How? (phone, letter in person)
• When? (time)
• Where? (place)
• What needed? (questions, tape
• recorder, paper/pencil)

8
During the Interview Session
9
LISTEN Carefully

• Take notes.
• Write key words.
• OK to ask how something / name is spelled.
• Make sure the person you are interviewing does
  most of the talking.
• Ask permission if you want to tape or record the
  conversation.

10
Before ending the interview

• Take a few moments to
• Review your notes to make sure everything is
  clear
• Ask follow-up questions if anything is unclear.

11
Dos

• DO
• Be kind, courteous and treat others the way you
  would like to be treated.
• Write notes quickly.
• RESPECT the speakers right to say No or I
  dont wish to speak about that.

12
Donts

• DONT
• Press the issue NO means NO!
• Come off as an unprepared Student be familiar
  with the questions you are asking.
• Interrupt the speaker!

13
SAY THANK YOU

• Please, remember to thank the person you are
  interviewing for his/her time.
• This person just did YOU a favor so show your
  appreciation.