Interviewing Skills

An interview is a conversation where one person asks questions and another person answers them. Journalists interview people to get news stories. Students might interview someone for a school project. Good interviewing skills help you get interesting and useful information from the people you talk to.

How to Conduct an Interview

Prepare your questions ahead of time. Start with easy questions to make the person feel comfortable. Ask open-ended questions that need more than a yes or no answer. Listen carefully to the answers. Ask follow-up questions based on what the person says.

Tips for Great Interviews

Be polite and respectful at all times. Take notes or, with permission, record the conversation. Do not interrupt when the person is speaking. Thank the person when the interview is over. Review your notes right away while the conversation is still fresh in your mind.

Fun Facts

• Barbara Walters was one of the most famous interviewers in television history.
• The word interview comes from French words meaning to see each other.
• Some of the most interesting stories in history came from interviews with ordinary people.

Did You Know?

Asking why or can you tell me more are two of the best follow-up questions because they encourage people to share deeper answers.