English 150 - #4 World of Work Interview Question Guidelines Most interviews seek to achieve one or more of the following goals: 1. Obtain the interviewee's knowledge about the topic 2. Obtain the interviewee's opinion and/or feelings about the topic 3. Feature the interviewee as the subject It's important that you know exactly why you are conducting an interview and which goal(s) you are aiming for. <a href="/keyword/stay-focused/" >stay focused</a> on questions and techniques which will achieve them. Do your homework. You will be expected to have a basic knowledge of your subject. Do not roll up to an interview with a band and ask them how many albums they have released -- you should know this already. If you show your lack of preparation, you lose credibility and risk being a nuisance. Before you conduct the interview: do a little research on the job itself (and the person, if possible) to help guide your initial interview questions and follow-up questions General facts about the daily activities involved in the job The person's prior experience and/or accomplishments The person's education and/or background Challenges the person faces, professionally and personally The environment the person works in Issues or controversy which arises in the job Have a list of questions. It seems obvious but some people don't think of it. While you should be prepared to improvise and adapt, it makes sense to have a firm list of questions which need to be asked and which help you focus on the areas you want to learn about. Listen. A common mistake is to be thinking about the next question while the subject is answering the previous one, to the point that the interviewer misses some important information. This can lead to all sorts of embarrassing outcomes and to you missing what you came there to get. Your subject will understand that you are trying to take accurate notes and will be tolerant of you needing a little time between questions you can even let them know you'd appreciate their patience.