Tips for Interviewing

1) Ask open-ended questions (questions that do not have an easy yes or no or short answer).

2) Find out about your interview subject beforehand. Get acquainted with someone who knows them well.

3) Ask follow-up questions.

4) Describe the scene or atmosphere when you interview them.

5) Take careful notes.

More tips...

By Joe Hamelin
Press-Enterprise

* Always use a tape recorder. Explain to the subject, if need be, that no one will hear it but you.
* Take notes, too. Tape recorders sometimes malfunction.
* Do your homework. A subject will warm to you when realizing you've taken the trouble to be informed.
* If you can, find someplace quiet where you won't be interrupted and steer the subject there.
* Save the tough questions for the latter part of the interview.
* Try not to ask questions that can be answered with a "yes" or "no."
* Don't be nervous. The athlete can't hurt you. But you can hurt the athlete. He or she is the one who should be nervous, and probably is.
* If you are totally out of your element, ask for help. Admit that you normally cover softball and have never written a piece on rowing. Almost always, the subject will be only too happy to help.
* Try to have a "conversation" when possible, instead of just asking questions.
* Unless you have an agenda, have three to four questions prepared to get things rolling. Then follow where the subject wants to take you.