Sunday, February 22, 2009

How to do an interview

Instructions on how to conduct an interview as a reporter

When working as a reporter for either a newspaper or a news station you need to make sure you follow a few key steps. The following is a set of instructions on how to properly prepare you for an interview as a reporter.

Things you’ll need:
· A Topic
· A Notepad, Camera, Audio Recorder, or Very Good Memory.

Step 1
Before the interview, have a plan. Make sure you do your research about what you'll be talking about so that you can ask relevant questions about the topic.

Step 2
Make a list of questions, but don't plan on relying on them at all times. The list will simply be an outline of the basic concepts you want to cover.

Step 3
Show up early. It seems like a no-brainer, but nothing says you don't really care about the interview if you show up late.

Step 4
At the interview itself, be friendly and speak conversationally. Let the interviewer open up to you.

Step 5
Ask your questions, and LISTEN TO THE ANSWERS. Listing is the single most important thing you'll do at an interview. More often you will come up with new questions that you never would have asked had you not been paying attention to the answers.

Step 6
Allow the interview to branch off on different topics, but don't let it get out of hand. You came in with a plan, and know what you're after.

Step 7
Thank the person for their time, and if possible get their contact information. Ask them if you can call them later with follow-up questions.

WARNINGS
· Be conversational, but don't give the impression that you're taking the topic lightly.
· If you don't feel safe in a situation, leave.

Michael Levy
CAMM NEWS 12
mlevy@cammnews.com

1 comment:

  1. Pretty poor blog, limit information. Not sure why Mike Levy is your head anchor. You should be ashamed that you are putting Mike Levy in the same category as Ron Burgandy. Your news team is destined for failure while the NMU bounty hunters are on a gravy train with buscuit wheels.

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