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Interviewing & Investigation Tips
Part Two
by Vicki M. Taylor 

In part two of our series on Interviewing and Investigation Techniques, we’llexplore how to handle yourself, the equipment, and others during the interview.  

Be Attentive

First and foremost, you must always pay attention to your interviewee. Listen to what the person has to say. Just because you’re using a tape recorder, doesn’t mean you don’t have to pay attention.  

Maintain eye contact. Show the person that you are listening. Nod your head and smile. 

Use positive verbal responses to indicate you are listening.

Maintain Proper Logistics 

Know the appropriate recording level based on the surroundings and distance of interviewee from tape recorder. 

Try to place the tape recorder at an equal distance from all parties involved.  

Make sure that all interview questions are clearly stated on the tape. It’s just as important to record the questions as it is to record the answers. 

Make sure that the recorder is within easy reach of you, the interviewer. 

In order to avoid wasting tape, make sure that you stop the tape recorder if long pauses are necessary. For example, someone may need to get further information from another person or location. 

Be aware of the end of the tape. Let your interviewee know that you will need to break and turn the tape over so that you don’t miss any valuable information. 

Remove the safety tabs from your cassette tapes so that no one accidentally erases or tapes over your interviews. 

Always label your tape and box with the name, date, and interview topic. 

TIP: If you used more than one tape for an interview, be sure to number the tapes also.   

While these techniques are all good, you should also be aware of what you shouldn’t do during an interview.

Some Don’ts for a Successful Interview

Never, ever have a conversation with another person while someone is speaking. It’s not only rude, but very distracting. 

Don’t doodle on paper, or tap your pen or pencil annoyingly.  

Most importantly, don’t eat while you conduct an interview. Not only is it distracting, but many of the questions or responses may be unclear due to chewing or other related food noises. 

Never interrupt. Let the interviewee have time to prepare answers. 

Don’t mumble or speak so softly that no one can hear you. Ask your questions clearly. If the interviewee doesn’t understand the question. Ask it again, using different words or use an example to help the interviewee understand. Be prepared with examples for your questions before the interview starts.

Use proper business language. Don’t use or encourage foul language. 

Don’t encourage interruptions. They only distract the interviewee and promote unprofessional activity.   

Stay Tuned!! Next week we'll focus on what to do after the interview in  Part Three of Interviewing & Investigation Tips.

Copyright © 2001 Vicki M. Taylor. All Rights Reserved.

Vicki M. Taylor has been writing for fifteen years. She enjoys writing stories with strong women as the main characters. Her book "Forever Until We Meet" is coming soon from Crossroads Publishing. She’s also working on a series of 70 short stories that follow Charlie Anderson, a young female domestic violence psychologist who works with the authorities to help abused women.  When she's not writing, you can find her lurking about the many writing boards chatting with others and dispensing little pearls of wisdom from her computer in Tampa, Florida where she lives with her husband and their miniature American Eskimo. To contact Vicki: VMTWriter@vickimtaylor.com

To read more by Vicki Taylor:

http://VickiTaylor.homestead.com
http://www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/8567