Essential Interview Techniques & Tips Every Journalist Needs To Know as per Evan Gilbert-Katz

Acing interviews rely heavily on encouraging individuals to open up, so you must know how to ask the questions that will promote this dialogue.

Many sources will come into an interview tense and nervous; being polite from the outset will help ease tensions and explain your purpose for conducting the interview.

Prep beforehand by researching your interviewee

Every interview can vary, but here are a few guidelines you should keep in mind: (1) Research should be done both generally (examining what has already been written about your subject) and specifically (finding out who this individual is and why they might be interesting), to ask more targeted questions without risk of them giving weak answers.

Evan Gilbert-Katz suggests that you be mindful of your body language during an interview and how it might influence how the subject responds. For instance, if you are nervous and want to convey that through your body language, try doing so, as this may help them relax and open up more freely.

After your interview, thank the person for their time and provide them with your business card and direct phone number so they may contact you if there are any additional concerns or needs. Furthermore, review the recording or transcription immediately afterward to catch any nuances missed during the conversation.

Find a suitable interview location.

Ideal interview settings should feature plenty of privacy and no distractions; however, this may not always be possible. When scheduling interviews over the phone or video call, make sure you set aside an area that offers these essential ingredients for productive dialogue.

As the interview progresses, take careful notes but remain undistracted. If a particular question or answer seems especially pertinent to you, write down when it was mentioned to locate and verify its information later quickly. Also, if names are spoken aloud, confirm their spelling immediately after hearing them.

As per Evan Gilbert-Katz, always strive to come across as natural and likable during an interview; this will encourage subjects to relax more easily and share more freely. After your meeting, ask if there are any additional questions I can answer for them, as this demonstrates your willingness to be a valuable contributor to the team.   

Prepare your questions in writing ahead of time.

As part of your research, preparing some open questions to show interest and curiosity for a position and company is wise. Evan Gilbert-Katz highlights that asking thoughtful questions during an interview can demonstrate to candidates you are invested in the conversation and eager to gain more information about both.

However, avoid preplanning all your questions in advance; that can make an interview feel like an exam rather than a conversation. Instead, try shaping and guiding it by asking open-ended questions that take your subject on an adventure; difficult ones usually come toward the end when rapport has already been built between you, and they might be more willing to open up more freely.

As you interview, continue visualizing the entire narrative in your head. If any information needs to be included, ask questions that will provide it. Be polite yet firm with responses veering off track; your goal should be obtaining enough material from each subject to create compelling and captivating tales.

Employ a recording device to stay fully present during the conversation.

A recording device lets you focus more fully on the interview without being bogged down by taking notes at every turn. In addition, recording devices allow you to capture more of what people say by listening for details or subtleties they might make during conversations that don't lend themselves well to writing down details and requests verbatim.

As part of any interview, remember to keep in mind that public officials often have an agenda of their own and may try to sidestep your questions by claiming something is off the record or not meant for media publication. Therefore, you must come prepared by researching prior news articles about the subject beforehand.

Strategic questioning is also essential in keeping conversations on track. It should include challenging inquiries at the end of an interview when your subject may have built rapport and may be more willing to open up and discuss topics relevant to them, as mentioned by Evan Gilbert-Katz.

Ensure everything is noticed by transcribing your recording.

Whatever the interview format, always review your recording or transcription immediately following to catch any details you missed during the conversation. People often linger over points they were discussing earlier or provide more detail than expected when responding to one of your questions; these details could add valuable depth and perspective to your narrative.

Journalists sometimes need to remember to timestamp their recordings and transcripts, which is essential in cross-referencing and editing your final piece. Aiming for regular timestamping - for instance, when questions are asked, answers are given, or when another speaker speaks -- would help immensely when editing the final copy. It would also be wise to insert timestamps at critical moments, such as when questions or answers are given, or third speakers comment - it would make for easier editing overall.

Evan Gilbert-Katz articulates that interviewing is a core aspect of journalism and can be intimidating for newcomers and experienced reporters. However, by considering some of these tips, you can ensure a productive and engaging interview that leads to extraordinary stories. Good luck! Also, remember to mute your phone - who knows when an interviewee might call with breaking news that could change everything!