Mastering Interview Preparation: A Template for Journalists
Photo by Adolfo Félix on Unsplash
One brilliant interview can be the difference between a surface-level story and a groundbreaking piece. But here’s the catch — that brilliance rarely happens by accident.
Ready to learn how to turn your next interview from a basic Q&A into something extraordinary? We’ve crafted an interview preparation framework to help you approach conversations confidently and thoroughly, whether you’re grilling tech CEOs or capturing human interest stories.
This comprehensive interview preparation checklist is designed to streamline your research, optimize your questioning strategy and ensure you secure every critical detail, providing a flexible blueprint that can be tailored to your unique journalistic niche and storytelling.
Interview Preparation Template
1. Pre-Interview Research
Once you have your interviewee lined up, do the work to research their background. Not only will this help you form better questions in step 2, but it can help you demonstrate professionalism, identify biases, gain a better understanding of the topic in general, discover new angles, make fact-checking easier and use your interview time more efficiently.
- Subject Background
- Key biographical details
- Professional/personal context
- Recent significant events/achievements
- Research Sources
- Previous interviews
- Social media profiles
- Professional publications
- Relevant news articles
2. Interview Question Framework
You’ve done the research on your interview subject. Now, craft specific questions that delve deeper into the subject matter and elicit insightful responses.
- Core Topics
- Specific Questions
- Open-ended questions
- Follow-up probe questions
- Potentially sensitive questions
3. Technical Preparation
These may seem like the basics, but having the technical and logistical pieces organized is critical to a smooth, efficient interview.
- Recording Equipment
- Primary recording device
- Backup recording method
- Battery/power cord check
- Logistics
- Interview location/platform
- Scheduled time
- Expected duration
4. Post-Interview Workflow
The work isn’t done when the recorder turns off. This step will ensure you’ve captured the most important details. Plus, it will help you verify facts to maintain journalistic integrity, consider additional stories and cultivate your relationship with the interviewee.
- Immediate notes transcription
- Audio/video file backup
- Fact-checking action items
- Potential follow-up questions identified
5. Consent and Legal Considerations
Journalists mustn’t overlook ethical and legal considerations of an interview, from ensuring subjects understand how the interview will be used and how they’ll be identified, to knowing the legal requirements regarding recording conversations, which can differ depending on the location.
- Interview agreement signed
- Attribution preferences confirmed
- Quote approval process clarified
Personalize Your Own Template
No two interviews are identical! This template serves as a robust foundation, but its true power lies in adaptability. Consider customizing the framework by adding specialized sections for beat-specific research, adjusting question frameworks to match interview subjects’ backgrounds or integrating digital tools that align with your reporting style.
From interview preparation techniques to digital storytelling innovations, we’re committed to empowering reporters, bloggers and content creators with comprehensive, practical resources. Subscribe to Beyond Bylines to get our latest tips right in your inbox.
Madison Zadravec is a Customer Content Specialist and Industry Ambassador for PR Newswire. Both roles highlight Madison’s keen eye for detail and passion for brand storytelling. When not immersed in the latest headlines, Madison can be found hiking with her dog, solving a crossword puzzle, or baking a sweet treat.
