Having gotten my first reporting job prior to attending college, my early interviewing techniques were shaky, if not embarrassing.

Covering the a Southern California minor-league baseball team, the High Desert Mavericks, the first person I ever interviewed was Carl Everett, who has gone on to fame and fortune in the Major Leagues. He had star quality then even, and was kind enough to handle my mumbling, incoherent questions with the pat answers that baseball players are likely taught in the second grade.

That was more than 10 years ago. Following a stint in college and six years at daily newspapers, my interviewing skills became, while not polished, competent and effective. Since that humiliating first interview, I've spoken with governors, mayors and dozens of professional athletes and artists. I even had the opportunity to interview basketball coaching legend John Wooden.

So, what have I learned about how to interview someone?

Be Yourself

OK, that's annoyingly simple but true. After you get a few interviews under your belt, you'll lose that initial trepidation and walk up to anyone comfortably. You don't have to put on a "reporter" persona. Be yourself, it's an interview but also a conversation. When an interview subject falls into a conversation with you, that’s when you can get worthwhile quotes and information.

Be Prepared

This should go without saying, but is often missed by writers in a hurry. Being organized and prepared will give the interviewer confidence going in to the interview. It will also keep the interviewer from being thrown off or force his or her subject to explain things that could have been researched prior.

Have the important questions ready. A mistake I made a few times was to forget to ask the simple questions: age, name, etc. You don't need to have a list of 100 questions ready, but try to have a checklist of questions you need that are pertinent to the story.

When interviewing someone with any amount of fame, make sure to research the person fully. They have likely answered certain, simple questions hundreds of times, so it’s your job to know these questions.

Be Involved in the Interview.

By this, I mean, don't get caught up in trying to write down every word said. You'll know which quotes are useable the moment you hear them. While your subject is speaking, don't just hear the answers, listen to them. The majority of great quotes come on follow-up questions that you never planned to ask in the first place.

Think of it from the other way around: If you are talking to someone who is distracted, scribbling frantically and not making eye contact, you may be hesitant to speak your mind.

Phone Etiquette

When doing an interview on the phone, you face one main handicap – an inability to see the other person’s reactions. This is a time to be strictly by-the-book. Ask your questions straightforward and do not interrupt until you are sure the person is finished speaking.

Most of the time, phone interviews are necessary for people with busy schedules, and you will need a specific time to call. Remember not to be late in making the call. Also, don’t linger on the phone after you have the information you need. A phone interview done quickly, pleasantly and efficiently will mean you have another person willing to speak with you again in the future.

Call Backs

The Tough Interviews

It’s great interviewing a nice lady who sells homemade pottery. It can get a little scary when you interview people who have committed a crime, or lost a loved one, for example.

If your research has shown you that a person you need to interview may not be the type of person you like, remember, it’s not your job to judge them. Always stay completely neutral. Any lack of neutrality will show in the interview and you could quickly anger and lose a source.

When the situation calls for tact, be aware. When you know your questions are going to touch on personal issues, ask permission first. “I know this is hard, but do you mind if I ask you a few questions,” will usually be enough to make your source realize you are just doing your job.

To Write or Record

Another question asked by beginning journalist is whether they should use a tape recorder, notebook or both. Really, this all comes down to personal preference. I generally only use a notebook and have never had a problem with accuracy on quotes.

If I do a Q&A, I use a tape recorder and a notebook, even on the phone. Once again, whatever you feel comfortable with is the way to go, but always have a notebook with you, people being interviewed see a notebook and immediately give you a little extra respect for some reason

Final Ideas

• Be Honest: An interview is a conversation. Imagine any conversation you’ve been in with someone who is not being honest with you. If you have a question to ask, just ask. Beating around the bush and trying to lead a source to a question can result in an unpleasant conversation.
• Remember: The interview is not about you. Keep your questions and remarks short and to the point.
• If you have the time following an interview, try to get spellings of names and other facts verified a final time.
• Enjoy yourself. There’s no need to be tense. Look at every interviewing opportunity as a chance to meet and speak with someone new.

A Final Trick

Let me finish this with the one good trick I know. When you finish an interview, when time allows, stick the notebook in your back pocket or purse. Then talk to the subject a little more. Just small talk basically, no searing questions. Make a joke, compliment them on their shoes, whatever.

You'll be shocked to find that occasionally this little trick will get you a great quote. People see the notebook put away and let down their guard. Just because the notebook is away, however, doesn't mean the interview is over.

Whether you're interviewing a janitor for a story for your small Web site, or the President for the New York Times, people are people. Be yourself, enjoy the interviewing experience and your story will show the results.

External Links:

• Poyner Online - Everything you need to know to be a better journalist.
• The Project for Excellence in Journalism. - A great resource for journalists.
• The American Journalism Review - Helping journalists and critiquing the industry.