HELPFUL INTERVIEW HINTS

LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Recognize the helpful hints used in radio and television interviews.

You have selected the interview method and format, arranged the interview, researched the subject, formulated the questions, arranged transportation and checked your equipment. Everything is on track and pointing toward a successful interview. What else should you do?

Although not an all-inclusive list, the following helpful hints will make the difference between a good interview and a great interview.

BE PROMPT

Nothing is more exasperating than an interviewer who has little concern for timing. You should arrive at the interview site well before the scheduled time to set up the lights, camera and the recording equipment. When you are late for an interview, your subject may be less cooperative than he might have been, and in some cases, it may mean less time for you to ask all those important questions.

MAKE YOUR SUBJECT FEEL COMFORTABLE

If this is your subject's first interview, he will probably be nervous. Some common signs of nervousness include the following behaviors:

l Tapping one's pencil or fingers on the desk

l Infrequent or nonexistent eye contact

l Pulling away from the microphone

l Excessive stuttering or stammering

l Very short answers to your questions

l Frequent interruptions of your questions

Sometimes you can make your subject feel more comfortable by talking about other things, and therefore, take his mind off the interview. You can do this during a spot break for live interviews or at a logical stopping point for taped interviews. Furthermore, since everyone has a sense of personal space or a "comfort zone," you should select a seating arrangement that your guest finds comfortable. One caveat to this strategy is that you should not compromise the quality of the finished product in favor of comfort. Explaining your technical requirements to the interviewee will help.

BE ATTENTIVE

The most important characteristic of a good interviewer is being a good listener. Your subject will be more cooperative if he perceives that you are interested in what he has to say. Good eye contact and your making the appropriate responses at the right time will show the interviewee that you are paying attention and want to know more about the subject.

Always listen to what your subject is saying. Some interviewers are more concerned about what they are going to ask, rather than what the subject is saying - stay clear of this trap. Interviewees occasionally answer the question you are about to ask, so be alert and adjust your questioning strategy accordingly.

By being an active listener and asking the appropriate questions, you can keep your interview on track and get the information you need in as short a time as possible. However, if you receive obscure, contradictory or confusing answers to your questions, ask follow-up questions to clarify the point. If the interviewee strays in his answer to a question, rephrase or repeat the question to get him back on track

When you listen attentively, you also may pick up on a fact you did not know about and slip in effective follow-up questions.

Visualize the editing process while you are recording the interview. If your subject tends to ramble when answering questions, pay close attention to the responses to know when the question is answered, and therefore, when you can edit.

APPEARANCE

Your personal appearance is always important, whether in your day-to-day duties or when you conduct interviews for radio and television Any violation of Navy uniform regulations, grooming standards or body fat guidelines is particularly obvious on camera and will be noticed by hundreds (or possibly thousands) of people. Your appearance can enhance your credibility or detract from it, so check your appearance thoroughly before the interview.