Interview strategies

Definition

Interview strategies are specific techniques and approaches used to conduct effective interviews, allowing interviewers to elicit valuable information from their subjects. These strategies can include preparing thoughtful questions, establishing rapport with the interviewee, and using active listening skills to facilitate a productive conversation. Understanding these strategies is essential for gathering insights, especially in fields that require in-depth knowledge from diverse perspectives.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Effective interview strategies involve extensive preparation, including researching the interviewee and their background before the conversation.
2. Building rapport is crucial as it helps the interviewee feel comfortable and more willing to share personal insights or experiences.
3. Active listening is an essential skill in interviews, allowing the interviewer to fully understand and engage with the responses given by the interviewee.
4. Using a mix of open-ended and follow-up questions can help draw out more comprehensive answers and provide richer content for the interview.
5. Non-verbal communication, such as eye contact and body language, plays a significant role in how well an interview is conducted and can impact the quality of responses.

Review Questions

• How can building rapport influence the effectiveness of an interview?
  • Building rapport significantly influences the effectiveness of an interview by creating a comfortable environment for the interviewee. When trust is established, the subject is more likely to share detailed and candid responses, which enhances the quality of information gathered. This connection can lead to a more engaging conversation, encouraging the interviewee to open up about their thoughts and feelings.
• Discuss how using a combination of open-ended and follow-up questions can improve the depth of information collected during an interview.
  • Using a combination of open-ended and follow-up questions improves the depth of information collected during an interview by encouraging initial expansive responses while also seeking clarification or elaboration. Open-ended questions allow interviewees to express themselves freely, providing insight into their perspectives. Follow-up questions can then be used to delve deeper into specific areas of interest raised during those initial answers, ensuring that important details are not overlooked.
• Evaluate the importance of active listening in interviews and its impact on both the interviewer and interviewee's experiences.
  • Active listening is critically important in interviews as it shapes the interaction between the interviewer and interviewee. For the interviewer, it ensures that they fully understand and engage with what is being said, which fosters a productive dialogue. For the interviewee, feeling heard enhances their willingness to share information openly. This mutual engagement contributes to a more dynamic exchange of ideas and ultimately leads to richer content for reporting or storytelling purposes.

Related terms

open-ended questions: Questions that encourage detailed responses rather than simple yes or no answers, allowing for deeper exploration of a subject.

rapport building: The process of establishing a positive and trusting relationship between the interviewer and the interviewee to facilitate open communication.

follow-up questions: Questions that are asked after an initial response to gain more detailed information or clarification on a topic.