It’s interesting to hear about people’s experiences when they work in parallel but similar fields.

Thanks a lot you guys.

I’m also a freelance journalist and find it really disappointing when an interview doesn’t go as well as it should. This is because I only agree to interview people who I think will say something very interesting and directly relevant. I therefore look forward to the interviews and get frustrated when someone hasn’t thought about what they are going to say beforehand, or doesn’t turn up, or is using a mobile phone.

However, for me the single greeatest reason why interviews fail is that a remarkable number of interviewees fail to listen to the question they’re being asked. Frequently company spokespeople have a line they’ve rehearsed and they’re detemrined to get it out regardless of whether or not it has anything to do with what I’ve asked. Others just seem to fundamentally misunderstand the nature of a conversation, seeing it more as an opportunity to externalise their internal ramblings. In both cases it’s a waste of everyone’s time as what they say won’t be relevant to my article and I won’t use it.

As Matthew says, interviews should be intense, natural conversations where experts are sharing their skills and knowledge. When they work well they’re great; when they don’t they’re incredibly frustrating.