 Scott Wright Podcasing for Business | Subject: Letting it flow Interviewing Techniques posted by ScottWright on Sunday, January 10th 2010 @ 8:35 AM
I find that when I plan for an interview, I usually have way more points to be discussed than we will actually have time to cover. So, pick and prioritize the points carefully.
It's better to dig deep and let the conversation flow naturally, than to rush the interviewee into covering something on every point you'd like to ask. Rushing the interview makes it sound very amateurish.
Besides, if there are questions unasked that people really wanted to know, you will probably get more positive comments than negative ones. I'd rather get the comment, "You should have asked them about their view on ...." than having somebody comment that, "You weren't even listening to the guest's comment, and it sounded like you were in too much hurry to ask the next question on your list."
So, even if you only have time for two or three questions, listen to what the guest's answer is, and look for something to follow up on. Ask questions in your head about what they just said, and if it's something that you think people would like to follow up on, ask "What did you mean when you said..." or "I'm sure our listeners would like to hear more about..." |
 Bo Bennett Group Administrator | Subject: RE: Letting it flow Interviewing Techniques posted by Bo on Friday, January 22nd 2010 @ 7:07 AM
Great points Scott! It is so easy for me to spot amateur / unprofessional interviewers based on a) how little they listen b) how many insincere "yes, sure, right!" noises they utter and especially c) when the interviewee says something fascinating or hilarious and the interviewer just moves on to the next written down question. Remember, an interview should be more like a conversation than an interrogation! |