Introduction
Interviews are a great way to gather information from people who have first-hand experience of a particular topic or event. They provide valuable insights that would otherwise be difficult to obtain. However, starting off an interview can be intimidating. It is important to be prepared and create a comfortable environment in order to ensure that the interview runs smoothly and efficiently.
Preparing a List of Questions in Advance
Before beginning an interview, it is important to do your research and create a list of questions. This will help you focus on the topics that are most relevant and ensure that you don’t forget any important questions during the interview.
Start by researching the topic extensively. Identify the key points that you want to discuss and make sure that you have a good understanding of the subject matter. Once you have done this, begin to write down questions that will help you explore the topic further. Make sure that the questions are clear and concise and avoid asking questions that can be answered with a simple yes or no.
Establishing Rapport with the Interviewee
It is important to make the interviewee feel comfortable and relaxed. Ask them personal questions about their life and interests to help build a connection and establish trust. This will encourage the interviewee to open up and give honest answers to your questions.
Introducing Yourself and Explaining the Purpose of the Interview
Once you have established rapport with the interviewee, introduce yourself and explain the purpose of the interview. Explain why you are conducting the interview and what type of information you are looking for. This will help set the tone for the conversation and ensure that the interviewee understands what is expected of them.
Asking Open-Ended Questions to Encourage Conversation
Open-ended questions are a great way to encourage conversation and get more detailed answers from the interviewee. These types of questions require more than a simple yes or no answer and allow the interviewee to express their opinions and feelings. Examples of open-ended questions include: “What do you think about…?”, “How did you feel when…?” and “Describe your experience with…?”.
Asking open-ended questions has several benefits. Firstly, they encourage the interviewee to share more detailed information. Secondly, they allow you to gain insight into the interviewee’s thoughts and feelings. Finally, they help to keep the conversation flowing and prevent the interview from becoming too one-sided.
Listening Carefully and Taking Notes During the Interview
It is important to listen carefully during the interview and take notes if necessary. Taking notes will help you to remember the details of the conversation and ensure that you don’t miss any important points. It is also helpful to record the interview so that you can refer back to it once the conversation is finished.
When taking notes, try to use shorthand to save time. Also, make sure that you write down the exact words that the interviewee is saying. This will help you remember the context of the conversation and provide more accurate quotes when writing up the interview.
Showing Enthusiasm for the Conversation
Showing enthusiasm for the conversation is another way to make the interviewee feel comfortable and encourage them to open up. Showing enthusiasm conveys that you are interested in the conversation and are actively listening to the interviewee. Ways to show enthusiasm include smiling, nodding, making eye contact and using encouraging phrases such as “tell me more” or “I’m interested in hearing more about that”.
Conclusion
Starting off an interview can be nerve-wracking, but it doesn’t have to be. With proper preparation and the right attitude, you can make the interviewee feel comfortable and get the most out of the conversation. Prepare a list of questions in advance, establish rapport with the interviewee, introduce yourself and explain the purpose of the interview, ask open-ended questions, take notes, and show enthusiasm for the conversation. Doing these things will help ensure that the interview is successful and productive.
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