🎙️Art of the Interview Unit 15 – Eliciting Responses and Storytelling

Key Concepts and Techniques

• Establishing trust and rapport with the interviewee creates a comfortable environment conducive to open and honest responses
• Asking open-ended questions encourages the interviewee to provide more detailed and insightful answers (e.g., "Can you tell me about your experience with...?")
  • Avoid yes/no questions that limit the depth of the response
  • Use follow-up questions to probe for more information or clarification
• Active listening involves fully focusing on the interviewee's responses, both verbal and nonverbal cues
  • Maintain eye contact, nod, and use affirmative responses (e.g., "I see," "Go on") to show engagement
  • Avoid interrupting or rushing the interviewee
• Silence can be a powerful tool, allowing the interviewee time to reflect and elaborate on their thoughts
• Remaining neutral and non-judgmental throughout the interview helps maintain objectivity and encourages honest responses
• Adapting questioning style and approach based on the interviewee's personality, background, and comfort level ensures a more effective interview
• Preparing a flexible interview guide with key topics and questions helps maintain focus and structure while allowing for spontaneous exploration of relevant themes

Types of Interview Questions

• Open-ended questions encourage the interviewee to provide detailed, descriptive responses (e.g., "How did you feel when...?")
• Probing questions help elicit more specific information or clarification (e.g., "Can you give me an example of...?")
• Hypothetical questions explore the interviewee's thoughts on potential scenarios (e.g., "What would you do if...?")
• Behavioral questions focus on past experiences and actions to predict future behavior (e.g., "Tell me about a time when you...")
• Reflective questions encourage the interviewee to think deeply about their experiences and opinions (e.g., "Looking back, what do you think about...?")
• Closed-ended questions, while less common, can be used to confirm specific details or facts (e.g., "Did you attend the meeting on Tuesday?")
• Follow-up questions build upon the interviewee's responses to gain a more comprehensive understanding (e.g., "You mentioned earlier that..., can you elaborate on that?")

Building Rapport with Interviewees

• Begin with casual conversation to help the interviewee feel at ease (e.g., discussing the weather, their journey to the interview location)
• Express genuine interest in the interviewee's experiences and perspectives
• Use the interviewee's name throughout the conversation to create a personal connection
• Share brief, relevant personal anecdotes to establish common ground and relatability
• Maintain a friendly, approachable demeanor through facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice
  • Smile, maintain eye contact, and use open body language (e.g., uncrossed arms)
  • Speak in a warm, conversational tone
• Demonstrate empathy and understanding when the interviewee shares difficult or emotional experiences
• Express gratitude for the interviewee's time and willingness to share their thoughts

Active Listening Skills

• Give the interviewee your undivided attention, minimizing distractions (e.g., silencing phones, closing laptops)
• Maintain eye contact to show engagement and encourage the interviewee to continue speaking
• Use nonverbal cues, such as nodding, smiling, and leaning forward, to demonstrate interest and understanding
• Paraphrase the interviewee's responses to ensure accurate comprehension (e.g., "So, what I'm hearing is...")
  • This also allows the interviewee to clarify or expand on their thoughts
• Ask follow-up questions based on the interviewee's responses to show that you are actively processing the information
• Avoid interrupting the interviewee, allowing them to complete their thoughts before responding
• Take brief notes to capture key points without disrupting the flow of the conversation

Encouraging Storytelling

• Ask the interviewee to share specific experiences or anecdotes related to the topic (e.g., "Can you tell me about a time when you faced a similar challenge?")
• Use open-ended questions that invite narrative responses (e.g., "How did that experience shape your perspective on...?")
• Encourage the interviewee to provide sensory details and emotions to create a vivid, engaging story
  • Ask about sights, sounds, smells, and feelings associated with the experience
• Show genuine interest and curiosity in the interviewee's stories through active listening and follow-up questions
• Allow the interviewee to take their time in recounting their experiences, avoiding the urge to rush or interrupt
• Use prompts to help the interviewee expand on their stories (e.g., "What happened next?" or "How did that make you feel?")
• Acknowledge the significance of the interviewee's experiences and express appreciation for their willingness to share

Handling Difficult Responses

• Remain calm and composed, even if the interviewee becomes emotional or confrontational
• Acknowledge the interviewee's feelings and show empathy (e.g., "I can understand why you feel that way")
• Rephrase sensitive questions to be more neutral and less confrontational
  • Instead of "Why did you fail to meet the deadline?" try "What challenges did you face in meeting the deadline?"
• If the interviewee becomes uncooperative or hostile, calmly redirect the conversation to a more neutral topic
• Offer breaks if the interviewee becomes overwhelmed or emotionally distressed
• Respect the interviewee's boundaries and avoid pushing for information they are unwilling to share
• If the interviewee provides an incomplete or evasive response, gently probe for more information (e.g., "Can you tell me more about that?")
• Maintain professionalism and objectivity, even if the interviewee's responses are controversial or contradictory to your own beliefs

Ethics and Sensitivity in Interviewing

• Obtain informed consent from the interviewee, clearly explaining the purpose, format, and intended use of the interview
• Respect the interviewee's privacy and confidentiality, protecting their personal information and sensitive details
• Avoid asking questions that are discriminatory, offensive, or irrelevant to the purpose of the interview
• Be aware of cultural differences and adapt your approach to show respect for the interviewee's background and beliefs
• Avoid making assumptions or judgments based on the interviewee's appearance, manner of speaking, or personal characteristics
• Give the interviewee the opportunity to review and clarify their responses before publishing or sharing the interview
• Be honest about the potential risks and benefits of participating in the interview
• Provide the interviewee with resources for support if the interview covers traumatic or emotionally challenging topics

Practical Application and Practice

• Conduct practice interviews with friends, family, or colleagues to develop your skills and confidence
• Record and review your practice interviews to identify areas for improvement (e.g., body language, questioning techniques)
• Seek feedback from your practice interviewees on your performance and incorporate their suggestions
• Attend workshops or seminars on interviewing techniques to learn from experienced professionals
• Analyze successful interviews in your field to identify effective strategies and approaches
• Develop a pre-interview checklist to ensure you are prepared with questions, materials, and equipment
• Practice active listening in everyday conversations to build your skills and habits
• Reflect on each interview experience, noting successes, challenges, and lessons learned to inform future interviews