Interviewer 101: How to Get the Most out of Your Interviews

Whether you’re writing an article, a blog post, a blurb, or simply wanting to get a quote for a graphic, interviewing can be a great way to gather information, especially for those in the public relations or communications field. However, interviews can be intimidating no matter which side of the conversation you’re on. As an interviewer, it can be challenging to help interviewees give thorough answers that will be beneficial to the project at hand, but there are simple ways to maximize the outcome. Here are some useful tips to help you make the most out of an interview.

Treat the interview as a conversation

Lessen others’ anxiety by approaching the interview as a simple chat. Inform the interviewee of the purpose of the interview and where the information will be used. Maintain a positive, friendly, and professional approach and help the interviewee feel comfortable about chatting with you.

Prepare

Do your research so you can ask relevant questions. This will show your interviewee that you are prepared and prevents you from asking questions that could be easily googled. Decide what information you are hoping to get out of the interview and build questions accordingly. 

Make a positive first impression

Once you are set to conduct the interview, try to make the interviewee feel as comfortable as possible. Reintroduce yourself, thank the interviewee for taking time to chat with you, and build rapport with them. This will build a connection and trust and help you both relax and ease into the interview. 

Be aware of your body language and tone of voice

People can easily recognize uneasiness and nervousness and feed off that energy. Pay attention to your tone and body language and be sure to be professional, welcoming, and demonstrative of your genuine interest.