Being a great interviewer

A few weeks ago, I wrote about listening skills. 

In that context, I was referring to every day conversations we have with people that shape the quality of our relationships.  Today, I want to shift gears a little and talk about the art of interviewing interesting people.  This is a little different than just listening, to conduct a great interview you need to pull content out of people. 

If you blog, hire people, network or travel - you need to conduct great interviews to capture the opportunity in front of you.  I've gained valuable insight into people, helped them gain insight into themselves and found great/entertaining anecdotes through ad-hoc interviews over the last decade.  

Here are a few interview recommendations: 

1. Be sincerely curious - Don't just wait for a chance to ask your next brilliant question, be curious about the 'why' behind every 'what'.  Johnny Carson was great at doing this, and took pleasure when saying, "I did not know that!"

2. Do your research - Unless it's an instant interview, do some legwork on who you are going to interview.  Google him/her.  Re-read previous correspondence you've had.  Think of at least three questions you'll ask. 

3. Ask the questions that need to be asked - This is one of Oprah's real strengths as an interviewer.  She asks the questions we'd like to ask.  She isn't selfish in her style, she's mining for everyone.  Think about the results of the interview (decision, your review of it, etc.) and make sure that shapes your questions.

4. Let the other finish his/her answers - In fact, leave a little pregnant pause at the end of an answer that you think is 'pat' or scripted.  This uncomfortable silence often leads the other to improvise a little, and give you some juicy stuff. 

5. Don't try and be smart - A good interview isn't about you, it is about finding the truth.  In fact, playing a little dumb often puts the other into a teacher-mode, which can lead to the gleaning of insights. 

READ: The Craft Of Interviewing

Comments

[Matt]

Great tips Tim. I interview many music bands and find that the more research I do not just about their music but also about their own personal background and personalities provides for a more complete interview. They really appreciate the time and energy I put into it, and I think as a result it makes the interviews better for the readers so they can feel they know more about the people.

Keep up the good work.

[Tony Zazza]

GREAT TIPS TIM!!!!

I know after years of conducting radio interviews, one of the things I have always made a point of doing and this has worked every time, even in cases with celebs that hate interviews and that is connect with them out of the gate.

Do your homework. What things might you have in common? Do they like wine like you do? Do they have 3 kids and you are having your first and want some tips. Get beyond their "public" image and connect to them as a "person" first and let the celebrity parts swing in organically!

[Merritt Onsa]

Love the suggestions - especially the pregnant pause. Uncomfortable silence is a great tool, but I'd never thought of using it in an interview.

You're so right about playing dumb. I often interview people who do things I don't have a clue about, so asking a lot of clarifying questions really helps get them into teacher mode and I learn things I never knew to ask.

Thanks again for great questions Tim!

[Askewaskew]

Great piece, worth the read.

To get good answers, a seasoned news producer with a half-dozen Emmy awerds once told me that the most important questions a reporter asks in an interview all start with the same word: "How...?"

My theory is that what he meant by that was that "How...?" questions provoke more thought.

Why?

I don't know.