INTERVIEWING SKILLS

Interviewing is a skill and it requires practice to feel comfortable with it. Some people feel more comfortable than others, but everyone can do it. A good interview is like a good conversation. We want to have a dialogue, not just ask people a lot of questions. This will make what they say more interesting. So how are you going to get the information? By building trust and confidence.

 

DOs

·         Find a good spot to shoot the interview – one that will add meaning to what you are talking about

·         Make sure that you have asked permission to do the interview and that any forms have been explained well to the interviewee and have been signed

·         Use open and relaxed body language, ensure everyone is comfortable, make good eye contact and look interested in what the person has to say

·         Build a feeling of trust by starting off with some conversation before starting the actual interview , put yourself at the same level as the interviewee (e.g. not standing while they sit)

·         Do a practice interview first off camera so that the interviewee knows what kind of questions you’d like to ask them and won’t be caught off guard. Explain that their answers should be short and direct.

·         Start with some easy questions and then try to build a nice conversation where you can ask some questions and pull out some information as the person talks

·         Ask clear, short questions

·         Ask open ended questions (not yes/no)

·         Ask good follow-up, probing questions – and try to be spontaneous (not reading)

·         Find out what happened, how, when, where, to whom, why, how they think it can be changed/resolved? Or why they think it’s important to talk about it.

·         Try to ask questions that go from the personal dimension to the ‘social dimension of the problem’ – are there other women here who….? How widespread do you think this is? Is this something that has always been like this? Etc.

·         Ensure that people know the risks of talking on camera, on internet. If people denounce those in power, this is especially important.

·         Be balanced and fair in your questions and portrayal of the situation

·         Always ask permission and be alert to ensure that you respect people’s time

·         Use ‘we’ not ‘you’ – you are part of our community, you are a youth too.

·         Be sensitive if you address taboo or difficult topics

 

DONT s

·         Victimize people, especially children

·         Offer advice and personal opinions about what the person is telling you

·         Use accusatory language or aggressive questions

·         Judge people for what they are telling you, blame people for problems

·         Ask yes-no questions

·         Ask leading questions (which suggest a particular answer)

·         Run the interview too quickly for people to be able to respond well

·         Jump all around with questions that don’t flow well

·         Stigmatize “we’re here to talk to you because they told us that you are… poor, unmarried mother, prostitute, HIV+, etc. etc.”

·         Use last names, especially with children

·         Make promises of giving aid or money or projects