INTERVIEWING TECHNIQUES

Be Prepared:

• Research the subject thoroughly before the interview.

•  Avoid simple biographical questions. 
• Be prepared in case the subject becomes emotional.  You may have to budget in breaks if needed.
  

Be an Active Listener:

• Have a list of questions but don't limit yourself to these pre-prepared questions.
• Listen to what the person is saying and don't be afraid to follow-up or make the interviewee clarify his/her remarks if you are not clear on what they are saying.
• Keep an open mind at all times and be flexible.
• Ask one question at a time.
• Speak clearly and sometimes you will need to speak louder than usual.
• Ask open – ended questions that require more than yes/ no answers.
• Use silence to elicit more information.
• Give the interviewee time to answer the question fully and finish his / her train of thought.
• Never interrupt even if the interviewee is straying off the topic. Try to gently steer them back to the topic.
• Make note of details in the room, how the subject is dressed,
  if they talk with their hands etc.
• Ask the interviewee to describe the sights, sounds, smells---try to have them paint a detailed picture of what they went through.

Be Patient:

• Keep the questions as brief and clearly stated as possible.
• Listen- interviews are about getting information from the subject not
  hearing yourself talk.

• If the interviewee is drifting off the subject try to get them back on
  track by re-phrasing the question.
• Remember it is ok to make a mistake as you will be editing your interview.