by Ruth Floresca

Created on: July 03, 2009   Last Updated: July 05, 2009

I am a contributing writer to several print publications in my country. A large percentage of the articles I submit require interviews from experts because almost all the editors I work with want credible information on the topics we feature.

I have interviewed a lot of people over the years. They included doctors, teachers, parents and other professionals from various industries.

Here are my interview tips based on several years of writing experiences:

1. Research on your topic prior to the interview

Prepare a set of questions relevant to what you will be writing about. If you are going to feature a prominent personality, try to find out little known things about the person which you can ask him/her to give further details about during the interview.

One thing though, don't just rely on your written questionnaire. Ask follow up questions when your interviewee says something interesting and your instinct tells you the succeeding answers may possibly add depth to your article.

2. Bring a voice recorder

Whether it is digital or it uses a cassette tape, the recorder will help you get everything your interviewee is saying so you don't misquote him/her when you finally write the piece. I use my mp3 player's voice record function and transfer the file to my PC afterward. It's easier to listen to the recording (using earphones, of course) on the computer because you can "rewind" or "forward" just by sliding the cursor left and right in Windows Media Player. At the same time, I type the transcription onto an open Word document and just transfer views back and forth from document to audio player with ease.

3. Have a notebook and pen ready (plus an extra pen in case the other one suddenly conks out).

Jot down the significant points your interviewee is saying. Learn to write fast and develop your own set of abbreviations that you're sure you can understand and decipher later. My interview notes sometimes look like a jumble of nonsense scribbles in other people's eyes but I can make sense of them. That's the important thing.

4. Keep your eyes mostly on the interviewee, not on your notes.

Don't make your interviewee feel that he/she is talking to somebody who's not really paying attention. I would, too, if somebody interviewing me seems more engrossed in his/her notes.

5. Never shift the focus on yourself!

Sometimes, I see people conducting interviews and would suddenly start sharing things about themselves to the interviewee such that it begins to look like their experiences or their lives are the ones being featured. A nod or murmur of agreement to what your interviewee is saying is enough. Pass up on sharing your views unless he/she specifically asked you to.

6. Never leave without asking the interviewee where you can directly contact him/her in case you need to clarify something.

Request for a mobile phone number or personal email address. As much as possible, don't just rely on the secretary to relay your message or on the office numbers printed on your interviewee's calling card.

Every writer has his/her own way of conducting interviews. These techniques work for me but, in the end, it will be up to you how you will develop your own.

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