Conduct Your Interview

Planning ahead for your interview will help ensure that you are comfortable during the interview and that you get the information you need.

If you feel prepared, you will be able to focus on the interview subject and their responses.

Adding responses to interview questions in a document can help you keep track of the information you find out.

You can also write responses or record them on a device if your interview subject gives you permission.

To begin, add responses to your document as you conduct the interview.

Do not worry about making spelling or grammar mistakes as you type, as long as you include the main points.

You can correct formatting and other mistakes after the interview.

Continue adding responses.

If you cannot type or write fast enough, it’s okay to politely ask your interview subject to repeat part of a response.

You do not have to type every word that your interview subject says.

You can paraphrase or summarize the responses to focus on the most important details.

Add the details during or after the interview subject’s response.

After asking the questions in your document, you may think of another question or two that you would like to ask.

If your interview subject has time, you can ask more questions.

Be sure to record them and the responses in your document.

When the interview is complete, thank your interview subject for his or her time.

When you have time, you can reread and edit your document.

Complete a spell check and make any corrections.

You can also format the text in the responses.

Adding italics to the text in the responses will emphasize them.

You can emphasize the responses by making them bold or changing their color as well.

Now, it’s your turn: Conduct your interview, Add the responses to your document, Spell check your document, and format the text.