Interview Tips: Prepare For The Dream Continued

Below, Public Relations Specialist Nichole Lawton shares some tips for being interviewed by the media. Please read the first part of the interview by clicking here.

Prior to the interview:
1. Review the interviewer’s previous work to get a sense of their style. For print outlets, read some of the interviewer’s past articles or columns, and for broadcast outlets, listen and watch previous segments. Use the Internet to help track down past work if you’re unable to get a copy of older publications or the broadcast is out of your area.

2. Get a sense of the types of questions that you will be asked. You may not be able to get the exact questions, but you should have an idea of what types of questions will be asked. This step will be essential if you have not had time or access to the interviewer’s previous work. Once you know what questions will be asked, you will then have some time to do any necessary research ahead and think about what you want to say. You don’t want to go to the interview clueless about what will be asked, especially for a live radio or television interview.

3. For a radio or television interview, ask the person arranging the interview (maybe the producer or the host of the program) the format of the interview. For example, will the broadcast interview be live or taped ahead and shown at a later date? If it is taped, is it edited or does it go on as is? If you have photos or other visuals, what type of arrangement do you need to make to show them on television? How long is the interview? Are there any breaks? When you know how long the interview should be, you can tailor your responses to fit the time period.

4. Go over the points you want to make during your interview. Don’t memorize the exact wording of your answers because you want to sound natural and conversational. For a print or radio interview, it’s generally fine to have notes with you because you are not on camera. Again, you want to avoid reading your notes unless you are reading a quote or maybe providing statistical information (which should be kept at a minimum). For a television interview, notes might not be appropriate to have during the interview. When in doubt, ask prior to when the interview begins. You should also think about any points you don’t want to discuss so that you don’t inadvertently discuss them if your nerves get the best of you. If it’s a group interview, be sure you and the other members of your group are all on the same page about the topics you will be discussing, who will covering what, and topics not to be discussed.

5. Finally, if you want to be very prepared, role play a mock interview with a friend asking you the types of questions that will be asked. Tape the interview if you have a video camera. Watch and evaluate it, preferably with someone with some expertise in communications/interviewing or someone whose opinion you value. If you’re preparing for a broadcast interview, make sure your overall presentation conveys a positive, enthusiastic image.

At the interview:
1. Dress appropriately. Generally business attire is your safest bet. For on camera interviews, choose solid colors that complement your skin tone rather than busy prints that can be distracting. Everyday, subtle makeup is fine for women. Non-makeup wearers or even men can wear a little skin tone face powder to minimize shine under bright lights.

2. Arrive before the interview starts, at least 10-15 minutes ahead. The producer will probably tell you how much time in advance you should arrive.

3. Take some deep breaths before you go on to relax yourself. Remember to breathe normally and not hold your breath while you are being interviewed.

4. Look at the television interviewer for the most part and pretend you’re having a one-on-one conversation. If you stare at the camera, you’ll have that deer caught in headlights look and it will increase your anxiety level. Occasionally, you may want to look at the camera to emphasize a point to the viewing audience. Ultimately, do what the interviewer tells you and follow their lead. If you watched older segments to prepare, you’ll have a sense of the look of the show.

5. For short television interviews, speak succinctly and in “sound bites” that can be easily edited.

6. For print and broadcast interviews, you should not speak about any topics “off the record.” It’s easy for a reporter to mix up notes and get it wrong.

7. Be yourself, have fun, smile and laugh when appropriate. Conveying energy and enthusiasm for your subject can go a long way.

After the interview:
1. Make arrangements with the broadcast station or print outlet to get a copy of the interview, but don’t rely on them. Plan to tape it yourself and have a backup if possible.

2. Review the interview and evaluate your performance in preparation for future interviews. What did you do well? What could have been better?

3. Be prepared that you could have done everything in your power to prepare for the interview and speak positively about your subject and the reporter still misquotes you or frames your interview in a way that you did not intend. If it’s a major error, feel free to submit corrections in writing to the reporter, which may or may not be published for print media. Likewise, contact the reporter to express your appreciation if they did a great job with the interview.