Here Are Some Tips to Help You With Your Interview

Before the Interview
  • Make a question chart/map before the interview that includes all the possible ways the interview can go.
  • Brainstorm and prepare a list of flexible open-ended questions, and possible follow up questions
    • Perfect your opening question. The opening question shapes the whole interview. 
    • Make sure your questions are open ended
      • Make sure questions are not too broad or too narrow
      • Avoid leading questions
        • Avoid bias in your questions
  • Use questions relevant to the interview topic
    • Be sure questions relate to the interviewee
    • Avoid asking unclear questions questions
  • Begin your interview by asking a very general question (which directly correlates with your topic), then tie each of your follow up questions to the responses of the interviewee to slowly dive deeper and get specific details.
  • Make the interview conversational, not interrogational or scripted
  • Provide a welcoming physical environment
During the Interview
  • Introduce yourself
  • Use professional body language
    • Eye contact  
    • Posture
    • Hand movements
  • Sit professionally and on the same level as the interviewee
    • Sitting up higher can make them seem less important and they could become intimidated 
  • Use attentive body language that keeps you oriented towards the interviewee
  • Show active interest in the interviewee and what they speak about 
    • Show you are interested in what your interviewee is saying  by making small signs of agreement (mms and nods), matching the interviewees emotions.
      • Vocal cues show your interviewee that you’re engaged and listening 
  • Speak at a normal pace, not too slow or too fast
    • Use pauses and periods of silence
    • Talk less than the person you are interviewing
  • Let the interviewee speak as much as they want to as long as they stay on the topic.  But be sure to direct the conversation back towards your main objective.
  • Make a connection with the interviewee
    • Ask insightful questions
    • Add value 
    • Learn their story 
    • Empathize
  • Use follow up questions appropriately. Have follow up questions prepared, but prioritize/follow the flow of the conversation 
  • Treat the interview like a conversation (to a certain extent)
    • When talking, use a conversational tone, like you are talking to a friend. An announcer voice will make an interview feel as though their life is being shown to the world and cause them to clam up.
  • Be respectful towards the interviewees opinions
    • Give the interviewee time to get their thoughts together before answering questions
    • Relax and work to keep your interviewee calm and focused
  • Always stay positive even if the interview isn't going the way you thought it would
  • Act with honesty, don’t lie about things you can or can't do
  • Here’s some simple things to remember throughout the interview 
    • Be confident
    • Remember their name
    • Be mature
    • Never interrupt 
    • Stay aware of time
    • Stay energetic
    • Minimize distractions
    • Don’t be rude 
    • Stay calm
    • Thank the interviewee in the end 
    • Smile!