Interview Techniques
Question Types:
Closed Questions - A closed question, pushes an answer out of
someone, it looks for a definite answer to the question, such as facts and
figures and is usually a typical yes or no answer that the questions creates.
These are good for finding out specific information about the person you are
interviewing, also it is a quick questions and answer so it is not normally
long and complicated. This can be used to help extend on other information.
Closed questions are not very effective at receiving the persons true opinion,
as it is a one word answer most of the time, they cannot explain their own
thoughts and feelings in depth, meaning these types of questions are usually
avoided for emotional conversations. Another problem with using closed
questions during an interview, is that the person may feel they are not able to
show their own feelings and will feel the interviewer is just trying to get
information from them almost like an interrogation instead of an interview.
Here is an example of a closed question interview. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEIpm9dbBAY
Open Questions - This type of question allows the person you
are interviewing to explore their opinions and feelings about the subject, it
allows them to give a detailed description which is totally up to them how much
depth they go into it with, and these questions create lengthy, strong
conversations instead of short one word answers. Respondents are able to share
all the information they want with the interviewer, sharing opinions, feelings,
emotions and ideas, this really gives the respondent a sense of freedom with
their answers, this can also allow the interviewer to gain extra information
from the respondent. Sometimes problems can be solved through this method of
questioning as well. Sometimes issues with this method of questioning is that
it is difficult to compare answers to the questions and you will not receive
definite answers to anything. Also this method of questioning is more time
consuming due to the more free answer. Here is a video showing open ended
questions during an interview. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeKOH_vMvjA
Direct Questions - These type of questions, require a
direct answer this means that the question that is asked needs a certain answer
that is completely relevant to the question asked. An example of this type of
question is "how much money does ... cost" it’s asking a question
that requires a correct, relevant answer. This
question deliberately tries to get a certain reaction from the
interviewee.
Suggestive Question - This question is
almost a way to trick the person you are interviewing, into answering a
question in detail, this is used so that the interviewer can get a lot of
information about a certain subject that they might not normally answer. This
sort of question uses words such as "Do you think" this gives a sense
of a personal opinion or answer.
Interview Styles:
Investigative Interviews - These interviews are to find certain information
about the subject during it, this is to give the viewers/audience the
information they need to understand environments, people and situations, type
of productions that use this are news programs and documentaries. The
difference between this type of interview and hard news is that unlike hard
news, these interviews don’t always get right to the point, they ask direct and
closed questions very often to gain certain information. However open questions
are sometimes asked to gain extra detail from interviewee's. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZBe4avxmYg
Hard News - This type of interview is normally a short,
"to the point", type of interview and is normally used to illustrate
a news item. This involves the use of both closed and open questions, to find
out facts, figures, comments, responses and any specific information that is
needed from the respondent, this is a very formal type of interview. The interviewer
can ask a series of open questions to gain as much information as possible
about certain subjects. These interviews are usually used by news programs
across the globe, as these are serious, information driven programs. Here is a
link to a video showing an example of a hard news interview. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jA0NGYnbXQw
Promotional Interviews - The person being interviews in this style of
interviewing, is usually someone who is well-known or important such as an
actor, director or a celebrity of some sort. These interviews are usually held
in a promotional event shown on adverts and videos for the thing it is
promoting. However these interviews can also take place on chat shows, which
merges entertainment interviews and promotional together. For this interview
there is usually be some sort of promotional piece such as a poster in the
background. These interviews are very casual and relaxed, open questions are
used to set this mood and to allow the interviewee to give a lot of information
and detail about certain subjects of the production they are promoting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kB5K33bd6Y
Entertainment Interviews - This type of interview usually involves celebrities
and involves live shows, where the main goal for this interview is to entertain
the audience and the viewer. This can be done by utilizing humour for example
questions can be deliberately light hearted and fun, these interviews a less
serious and are more casual than regular interviews, these are not all about
learning important information. The questions that are asked during this
interview are usually open questions, leaving the interviewee an opportunity to
share open opinions and feelings, the questions asked help to set the mood of
the interview. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_A9W5Uu89w
Interview Structuring:
Interviews start out with a short introduction,
this helps to identify the topic that the interviewer will be involving during
the interview, letting the interviewee and audience understand it, also the
introduction can help to set the general mood of the interview, whether it’s a
casual relaxed interview or a serious direct one, this can be done by making
the interviewee feel comfortable by offering a drink or to welcome them and
have a calm casual tone. The introduction always usually is used to relax the
interviewee, so that they feel more open to attend the interview and answer the
questions. The introduction can also help to gain some early information about
the subject or the interviewee for both the audience and the interviewee. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWdc7PyZNLA This interview includes Jennifer Lawrence
interviewing Kim Kardashian, this shows the example of an introduction to the
interview, first she starts by giving the audience information about the
celebrity she is about to interview, helping them understand some extra
information and backstory about the person, this helps them to prepare for who
it is, then before she asks the questions she says "Are you excited?
Alright buckle down and get comfortable", this is used to relax the guest
and make them feel welcome, the question she asked "are you excited?"
the answer isn’t really important to her, it's almost a rhetorical question,
however this is asked so that the interviewee feels like it’s her interview and
her opinion matters. Using the word "you" in for the opening starter
question is effective as it sets the main focus as them, making them feel
important for the interview.
The questions asked in an interview need to be
asked in a specific order, this order makes the most sense and should make the
interviewee feel like the questions are relevant to each other, they should be
linked (using follow up questions), and also that the interview is gradually
progressing. Questions should start off easy and simple, more complex questions
are usually asked in the middle of the interview, once the interviewee are
eased in and towards the end, they should be left of a positive note, so the
questions should become more positive short and simple. These questions need to
be asked clearly, so that the interviewee can understand them. Open questions
should be the main questions that are asked, closed and direct questions should
mainly be avoided, unless it is a closed and direct driven interview, this
makes sure that they feel their opinion is valid and so you can gain extra
information. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls31TkGSQGA here
is a well-structured, live interview, involving lots of open
questions. The questions need to be asked one at a time, to ensure
simplicity, this makes sure that the interviewee does not get confused in
anyway and also asking a lot of questions at once, can build unnecessary pressure.
You the interviewer should try to remain as unbiased and neutral as you can,
you should make sure you do not choose any sides, this makes you seem
professional as you should be. As an interviewer it is important that you
appear to be engaged in what the interviewee is saying, so you need to use body
language that shows interest, for example leaning forward, keeping eye contact
and nodding, tells that you are interested in what the interviewee is saying,
otherwise they will feel you are not interested and are not paying much
attention, meaning they might not feel obliged to share a lot of information.
Key questions should be woven in between the lesser important questions, these
should not be bunched together, otherwise it can feel very forced and direct,
these questions are the most important ones, gathering a lot of information
that is wanted from the interviewer. Sound bites can be used by both the
interviewer and the interviewee, the interviewer may use it to help give a
quick summary of a subject to help the interviewee and the audience understand
the subject.
Finishing off the interview you should leave it on
a positive note, you can do this by first of all asking the interviewee if they
have any questions that they may want to ask, again this adds to them feeling
they have an importance to you, the interviewer. Also the questions should
start to become more light-hearted and opinion based, this helps to end the
interview on a positive vibe. It is also important that you thank the guest,
for their time, this helps leave it on a positive note and if you want to
interview them again, it gives you a better chance that they will think
positively of you can they will, also if they think of you positively they
might share it with others, making you more popular among others. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRbY07bMm7w At the end of this interview with Ridley Scott, it
shows them finishing off the interview, with an open fairly easy to answer
question, then you see the interviewer thank Ridley Scott for his time.
Communication
Skills:
Building Rapport is an essential part in having a successful
interview with a client, so doing research about the person so you know
information about the person such as name, age, occupation and etc. This can
improve the way you appear to them, this will make them think that you have
prepared for the interview so they will know it’s professional. Also knowing
this information prior can help to structure questions. Also obviously making
sure you are dressed appropriately for the mood of the interview, this would
mainly involve wearing a shirt and tie, this can make the interviewee feel that
this is an important more professional, interview otherwise unsmart close will
make it feel very amateurish and too smart can leave an overwhelming filming,
smart and casual is the main focus. Starting off the interview you want to make
sure that you give off a casual friendly vibe, this can be done by asking them
non-related questions such as "how are you doing", this takes them
away from the interview, helping to relax them but also making you seem interested
in them. Also asking open questions to begin with will give them a sense of
freedom. And then also general strong communication and personality can help
the client to enjoy the interview more. As mentioned before using body language
to your advantage can help build a relationship, it can decide whether they
think of you positively or negatively, make sure you look and seem interested
in the conversation. Making sure you listen to what the interviewee says is
important, this can help you build improvisational questions, and this lets the
interviewee know that you are listening. Make sure that you avoid talking about
invasive subjects, or any deep, religious information as this could upset the
interviewee, keep the questions relevant. Finishing off the interview to help
create the rapport, you need to thank the interviewee as mentioned before and
maybe leave them with a business thank you card or email etc.
To help to plan a phone call interview, make sure that you plan ahead,
right a baseline guide/script that you can work from to help with asking
questions and develop from then, any awkward silence during a phone call can be
the breaking point for most interviewee's. Making sure you maintain a positive
tone also is important, a negative tone will leave a negative impact on the
interviewee, making them unsure whether they want to answer the questions or
not. Obviously during the phone call keep your attention on the questions and
the answers, don't get distracted and don't cause any disruptions such as eating
or talking to someone else during the phone call. A good way to perform an over
the phone interview is to treat it as a in person interview, start positively
asking some irrelevant questions to make them feel important, then try asking
open questions so that they feel freedom in answering the questions and so that
you're not just asking closed questions, that can feel invasive. Phone call
mics aren't perfect so making sure you maintain a loud clear voice. Also make sure you finish off positively, by like mentioned before, saying "thank you for your time" and making sure you don't cut them off.
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