How to give good interview
PLEASE NOTE: From the number of comments about job or university interviews, it’s clear that people find this article looking for advice about that. However, this article is not about that type of interview. It’s about doing press interviews. For more tips on job interviews read How to be a really bad interviewee and Want a job? Learn to spell and Getting a job in the games industry on my personal site. Also, I’m sorry but I can’t give personal advice about your upcoming interview.
Giving an interview is easy. It’s not like public speaking and it’s not like being cross-examined by Jeremy Paxman except if you are Michael Howard. A good interview is like a focused, directed conversation between two professionals.
I do twenty or so interviews a week. There are few pieces of writing that can’t be improved with more and better interviews.
- Be yourself. Be concise and answer the question put to you.
- Let the interviewer lead. If they seem to want you to talk more, talk more. If they sound impatient and keep interrupting, be more succinct.
- Don’t talk too quickly. I have a theory that one reason why George Bush plays so well in the American media is that he talks really slowly. There is some evidence to suggest that has psychological overtones of confidence and power. It also makes people listen harder. It gives you more time to think and the poor journalist more time to write notes.
- Don’t be put off by tape recorders. Some interviewers use a tape recorder and work from the recording and some will write notes during the interview (I do both).
- Agree an agenda and schedule. Agree at the beginning how long the interview will last and some kind of rough agenda so that you get through everything in the time available.
- Don’t ask for questions in advance. It is reasonable to ask a journalist what sort of questions they may ask and what topics they want to cover when arranging the interview, but don’t ask for a list of questions in advance – they won’t have it and even if they do, they won’t send it to you. It’s not that they want to catch you out, it’s just that they want your answers to be fresh and spontaneous, not rehearsed.
- Do your own research. Read the interviewer’s other work, Google them, read the magazine or newspaper the article will be published in. This is much more useful than preparing cod answers to cod questions.
- Do think about what you would like to say. Think about the kinds of things you want to communicate and the sorts of questions you are going to get asked but don’t write prepared statements.
- Remember what the interviewer wants. Usually they want three things: 1) a better understanding of the topic, 2) something new and interesting to say to their readers and 3) quotable quotes that will punctuate the story.
- The interviewer is human. My best interviews come from a natural rapport with the interviewee. If they are defensive, it makes me defensive but if they are friendly, I am friendly. It’s just human nature. Part of my job is to put my victims at ease but I need something to work with.
- Pick your time well. I am terrible before 10am and after about 5pm.
- Be accessible. Give the journalist a phone number and an email address. Don’t hide behind a PR company because they will add two days and extra cost to every interaction. Try to be flexible about arranging the interview. Don’t be like the publicity-hungry airline executive I interviewed once who gave 24 hours notice of an interview, cancelled on four hours notice, rescheduled to the next day promising an hour but only gave fifteen minutes. And then complained that he only got a one page article.
- Turn up on time. If I arrange to interview ten people, there will always be at least one who doesn’t show up or who doesn’t answer their phone. Some try to reschedule, some disappear. I schedule lots of interviews during an interview day and if someone misses their slot, I normally can’t fit them in later.
- Don’t ask to review the article. For corporate work, this is usually possible though time-consuming. For journalistic interviews, it is a practical and often a contractual impossibility. It complicates the production cycle, most writers’ assignments specifically forbid it and editors fear that people will get all nannyish and try to rewrite a piece to turn a good interview back into a bland, committee-written press release.
- Prepare yourself. Have a friendly journalist or PR ex-journalist do a mock interview with you. Get some media training (although please keep some personality and candour afterwards - don’t turn into media puppet).
There are two things to be wary of in an interview. These are tricks that unscrupulous journalists sometimes use but mainly in the tabloid press.
- No such thing as off the record. Unless you know and absolutely trust the interviewer, don’t say anything ever that you wouldn’t want to appear in print. A good journalist will respect an off the record comment or an inadvertent slip; but the only guarantee comes if you don’t make them. However, don’t do what one of my interviewees did once: ask for the entire interview to be off the record and then complain to my editor when he wasn’t quoted.
- Don’t let the journalist put words in your mouth. Some people think this is a legitimate tactic. For example, “your industry is in a terrible mess and only a bloodbath will sort things out, wouldn’t you agree.” If you don’t disagree they might put those words into quotes as if you said them. So, listen carefully to what they say and if they ask a question in that format, do a Tony Blair and say “I’m not sure I agree with that entirely. What I think is …”
Bad Language / When is ‘off the record’ really off the record wrote:
[...] It is not the cure for interview nerves. (See my post: How to give good interview). [...]
Posted on 21-Aug-06 at 8:35 am | Permalink
Aden wrote:
Please send me more about report writing tips, I am student @ Malalchi College in Kenya Nairobi. My Name is Aden , Currently i am doing Filadwork Study in a particular Community, so that need more help form your web,
THANKS FOR YOU ASSISTENCE.
Posted on 22-Apr-07 at 1:33 pm | Permalink
minaxi wrote:
sir m preparing to give an interview for the selection in law college bt i dnt knw wt they will ask .I’v passed my 12th tis year n i got 70 rank in the enterence exam of law.Please guide me so that i can clear the interview.i got 82% in 12.
Posted on 08-Jun-07 at 12:43 pm | Permalink
yaqoob wrote:
Dear Sir,
I am about to give an interview to HR Director in coming week or so. The post is IT Manager where i will have to put E-Learning and apply blended learning in the prospective organization in delivering Executive Trainings. Therefore i need help from you in this matter. please advice me some tactics to do a impressful interview and also educate me how to answer the follwoing questions when it put to me by HR Director:
What is your ambitious?
Why you wana join us?
How do you know our Big Boss as you are reffered by him?
what are you expecting salary?
did you apply anywhere else?
what are you currently working (while am free)?
Why do you need the subject job then our other job.
Posted on 26-Jun-07 at 9:54 am | Permalink
satyam dwivedi wrote:
Ques — sir , i have to give an interview in the army .
last time the army physologist asked me that “WHAT DO YOUR ENEMY THINK ABOUT YOU ? ”
and i was unable .
please give the proper answer so that i can overcome this question .
Posted on 10-Dec-07 at 6:19 am | Permalink
satyam dwivedi wrote:
how to give personal interview before an physocolgist .
Posted on 10-Dec-07 at 6:20 am | Permalink
Deepak wrote:
Hi,
I hv to give an interview by next week
Pls let me know about interviewer questions & answers
Posted on 09-Jan-08 at 10:07 am | Permalink
Valentina wrote:
Plese help me . I have an interview next week for Temporary Programming and Training Assistant. tell me what sentences to use?
thank you
Valentina
Posted on 09-Jan-08 at 10:23 pm | Permalink
sandra wrote:
I have a problem with interviews, I get very nervous and my mind wipes out and forget what the question was. Can you give me tips on how to over come this problem?
Thank you
Sandra
Posted on 27-Jan-08 at 3:45 pm | Permalink
Harmeer wrote:
I am a fresher and i am going for an interview for the post of accounts and finance i have never gone through such an interview can you tell me what are they going to ask as i am a fresher.
Thank You
Harmeer
Posted on 13-Feb-08 at 1:37 pm | Permalink
suresh wrote:
Hi
I want give interviews this week in telephonic what and all i have to prepare.Pls give me good tips
Posted on 14-Feb-08 at 4:04 am | Permalink
nishant verma wrote:
Sir,
Please give me some tips for interview, I have over 4 year exp in real estate industry but i now want swith over
Posted on 17-Feb-08 at 1:33 pm | Permalink
shadab wrote:
sir plz give some interesting topic that i can sayabout me.
they usually check fluency and ask tell about a topic for sometime…
Posted on 18-Feb-08 at 2:38 pm | Permalink
asadullah wrote:
dear
i have interveiw for the post of Database officer, so could u plz some important tips about this.
thanks
asad from afghanistan
Posted on 24-Feb-08 at 7:27 am | Permalink
amin wrote:
Plese help me . I have an interview next week for Programme clerk as Assistant. tell me what sentences to use? and let me know about interviewer questions & answers
thank you
Posted on 25-Mar-08 at 10:59 am | Permalink
mahesh wrote:
Hello Sir,
I am a fresher. I have a problem with interviews . Sir can u give me tips.thank u Sir.
Posted on 25-Mar-08 at 1:25 pm | Permalink
Keshminder singh wrote:
i want to perpair for my interview of HR and i want you to tell me maximum to maximum questions they can be asked to me.. and answers too
Posted on 28-Mar-08 at 6:19 am | Permalink
ahammed wrote:
hello sir
Plese help me . I have an interview next week for sales and marketing. tell me what sentences to use? and let me know about interviewer questions & answers
thank you
ahammed from india
Posted on 31-Mar-08 at 8:34 am | Permalink
Ahmad wrote:
Hi Sir,
I have an interview for a Restaurant, Could you give me some tips to answer, I do’t know what I have to say, please help me, I would appreciate ur help in this matter,
Thanks
Posted on 07-Apr-08 at 11:05 pm | Permalink
MAriam wrote:
sir
after two days i have an interview call from school,I have a problem with interviews, I get very nervous and my mind wipes out and forget what the question was. Can you give me tips on how to over come this problem?
Thank you
Posted on 08-Apr-08 at 5:31 pm | Permalink
ramkumar wrote:
i am passed mca
how to give good interview
what question will ask during interview
Posted on 13-Apr-08 at 12:16 pm | Permalink
hina wrote:
im a student of M.com and in futuer i will have to give a interview but i don’t have any experience of even one interview so plz guide me.thanks
Posted on 17-Apr-08 at 7:32 am | Permalink
vainatey wrote:
Hi, I am Vainatey. I am Post Graduate in Commercial Art. I am Visualizer. For the post of Visualizer what question will ask during interview.
Thanx!
Posted on 18-Apr-08 at 7:38 am | Permalink
Suzann wrote:
Great article. I always wondered about the “off the record” thing, and I’m glad to see you confirmed my suspicions. I used to interview artists for a monthly periodical, but it was a low-stress situation, and our goal was to get the public more actively interested in supporting the arts. But - if I ever get my own novel published, I will review your excellent article!
Posted on 18-Apr-08 at 9:29 am | Permalink
S.Mansur wrote:
Sir,
I am S.Mansurul Haque and about to give an interview for entering into a medical university(AGA KHAN UNVERSITY).what should be my approach and body language??
i will be facing question like,
Why you want to do medicine?
Why aga khan university?
What are your hobbies?
and they will ask general questionsand give use numerous situations to solve??
please guide me….my interview is on the 8th of may
Posted on 05-May-08 at 6:20 am | Permalink
p rajasekhar wrote:
please send me about
interview
i have one interview next week
Posted on 29-May-08 at 9:00 am | Permalink
Anamika wrote:
How to become more confident for interview
Posted on 13-Jun-08 at 8:23 am | Permalink
Tanu Srivastava wrote:
How to introduce ourself in PI?
What questions can be asked in interview fron Finance people(freshers)?
What should be the dress for interview?
Posted on 05-Jul-08 at 6:44 pm | Permalink
Tanu Srivastava wrote:
plz answer me what should Isay if interviewer ask “where Isaw myself after 5years”.
Posted on 05-Jul-08 at 6:47 pm | Permalink
sabita wrote:
Hi! I am a fresher, though I am an Eng. Hons.,Ihave some problem with fluent eng. speaking durinng any interview. I got some opportunity But afraid that if I cannot get success. Please help me.
Posted on 08-Jul-08 at 1:16 pm | Permalink
Anil k. Joshi wrote:
Hello, its me Anil kumar Joshi, Advocate , iIwant to join corporate sector kindly tell me what are those things which a employer wants from his new desiered candidate and what are those things which help us.
Thanks & Best Regards
Posted on 17-Jul-08 at 1:39 am | Permalink
santhoshkumar wrote:
hello sir i am santhosh kumar i attend so many interviews but first attempt i became failed what is the reason so please give some tips
Posted on 19-Jul-08 at 12:45 pm | Permalink
santhoshkumar wrote:
i am in the already made many more interview but still no i am not get proper reply from the interviews please give some tips.
Posted on 19-Jul-08 at 12:46 pm | Permalink
praptimishra wrote:
i want job .i have done diploma .
Posted on 14-Aug-08 at 7:07 am | Permalink
seema gaur wrote:
i gave many interview but some time i hasitate what to do? please help me out.
Posted on 15-Aug-08 at 11:50 am | Permalink