Preparation for Interview Process

Definition

Preparation for the interview process involves a series of steps taken by journalists to ensure they gather the most relevant and insightful information during interviews. This preparation includes researching the subject, developing thoughtful questions, and establishing a comfortable environment for the interviewee, all of which contribute to a more effective and engaging conversation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Effective preparation can significantly enhance the quality of information obtained during an interview, leading to richer narratives.
2. Knowing the background of the interviewee helps journalists ask more informed questions, fostering deeper discussions.
3. Creating a welcoming interview environment can help reduce anxiety for the interviewee, encouraging them to share more openly.
4. Rehearsing questions and practicing active listening are crucial components of successful interview preparation.
5. It's important to be adaptable during the interview, allowing for organic conversation flow while still staying on track with core topics.

Review Questions

• How does researching an interviewee before an interview improve the quality of the conversation?
  • Researching an interviewee before an interview allows journalists to ask informed and relevant questions that prompt detailed responses. By understanding the interviewee's background, experiences, and current context, journalists can tailor their inquiries to delve deeper into meaningful topics. This preparation not only helps in building rapport but also enhances the overall richness of the narrative.
• Discuss the importance of developing open-ended questions in the preparation for interviews.
  • Developing open-ended questions is crucial because it encourages interviewees to share their thoughts and feelings in a more expansive manner. Unlike closed questions that elicit short responses, open-ended questions prompt deeper insights and allow for stories to unfold naturally. This type of questioning enables journalists to gather more nuanced information that can lead to compelling narratives.
• Evaluate how creating a comfortable interview environment impacts the depth of information shared by an interviewee.
  • Creating a comfortable interview environment plays a vital role in how much information an interviewee is willing to share. When individuals feel at ease, they are more likely to open up about their experiences and thoughts, leading to richer dialogue. This comfort level can be influenced by factors such as physical setting, tone of voice, and establishing trust. Ultimately, a positive environment fosters a stronger connection between the journalist and interviewee, enhancing narrative depth.

Related terms

Research: The act of gathering information about a subject or interviewee beforehand to inform the questions and context of the interview.

Question Development: The process of creating specific and open-ended questions that prompt detailed responses from the interviewee.

Interview Environment: The physical and emotional setting in which the interview takes place, impacting how comfortable and open the interviewee feels.