When Interviewing someone use the following guidelines:
- Research background on interviewee and subject
- Date, Place
- Establish rapport quickly with subject
- Use general opening questions to get subject talking easily
- The move to main subject
- Ask specific questions like; “Which yacht do you prefer sailing” and not “Tell me about Sailing”
- Move to another subject if interviewee drags
- Listen and watch attentively
- Let your interviewee talk and do not interrupt
- Stick to short questions
- When presented with a ‘no comment’ ask the question differently
- If the notebook makes them nervous put it away
- Never debate and never argue
- Never make statements
- Be cooperative
- Be aware of stress factors like doodling, playing with papers, frequent leg crossing
- Look out for defensive behaviour – not making eye contact, crossing arms, turning away from you, perspiration, body odour
- Don’t be afraid of asking tough questions of the interviewee
- Don’t accept retroactive off the record requests
- Don’t tamper with quotes
- Avoid requests for anonymity