Stages of preparation for the interview

An interview is a way of delivering information through verbal and non-verbal communication. It can be filmed on television, on the radio, or in a newspaper or magazine. Preparation is important in order to create a positive image of a professional who knows his business and not to become a toy in the hands of a journalist. Below we will tell you how to prepare for an interview with an employer or journalist.

Types of interviews

To prepare thoroughly for an interview, you need to know what format the interview will take place in, that is, the type of interview:

1. Operational or informational - most often used in print media and on television. It implies receiving a short, succinct commentary from a specialist on some problem or event, such as a man-made accident or the opening of a new medical center.
2. Investigative interview - an in-depth exploration of an issue that involves provocation on the part of the interviewer.
3. A conversation is a format used by talk shows, when there is a live discussion of any problem on equal terms with the journalist, i.e. the interviewee also has the right to ask questions and receive answers, so this format should be properly prepared.
4. A portrait interview is a form of communication where the interviewee takes center stage. He tells about his achievements, biography, key moments of his life.
5. Flash or express interview. Condensed information is taken from a participant of events. It can be construction, repair work, a sports match.

To prepare, it is necessary to know the peculiarities of each format of conducting a conversation, which we will now talk about in more detail.

Operational and informational

Often such an interview is conducted on the spot. Journalists call it a synchronous interview. It is a capacious block where the specialist tells about the event or the reasons for the breakdown. For such a situation, one cannot prepare, but must be ready for it, especially for people in leadership positions.

Here it is necessary to remember that the journalist needs the specialist, so he can dictate his terms:

• to take pictures in a location that is convenient for the interviewee;
• ask to work through the questions, don't be shy about writing down answers on paper - this is not a job interview, where it is advisable to answer questions while looking at the employer or his representative;
• rehearse with the camera off, which is a very effective way to prepare for a future report;
• you shouldn't be afraid of the camera and focus on it;
• you have to be relaxed, watch your gestures.

Investigative interview

Often the interview investigation is taken within the framework of journalistic investigations concerning criminal, political, economic aspects of activity. Here preparation is extremely important, as the journalist will ask tricky, provocative questions. To avoid information leakage and unwanted answers, it is necessary to select the most problematic aspects of the topic, make a list of undesirable questions and adequate answers to them. A good option would be to prepare questions in advance. But even in this case you should expect a trick, as the interviewer's main thing is to get information. At any moment the interview can go off track, so you need to prepare in advance and choose appropriate answers to uncomfortable questions.

Interview-portrait

It is important not to be afraid of the camera, to behave in a moderately relaxed manner, to follow gestures, to control facial expressions. It is necessary to make your phrases clear and concise. A good preparation for the interview - practicing all these moments in front of a mirror. This will give you confidence and allow you to control yourself during the conversation.

Also a good help will be to watch a few shows made in a similar format and assess how the heroes behave there, to take their techniques. Here a special attention should be paid to clothing, especially for a girl, a woman. It is best suited immortal strict classics, but do not wear too open dresses and enlightening clothes. You should not overdo it with accessories.

Attention! It is important to remember that this interview format is an advertisement of a person and here you need to prepare so that there was not only a beautiful picture (excluding radio air) but also high-quality sound, so it is important to provide for all the details.

If it is an online skype interview, you should take care of the background. There should not be kissing, drunk, strangers, as they will attract the attention of the audience, not the main character. It is best to choose a wall, a closet, a painting as a background.

Express interview

This is the only case when it is impossible to prepare for an interview, as journalists may arrive unexpectedly. Such situations often happen after or during high-profile court hearings, international sporting events, summits and conferences. Only experience in communicating with the media and understanding that you can become an interviewee at any moment will help.

Reading books will be a good help in the development of speech. This activity will enrich your vocabulary and allow you to build phrases fluently, which is very important for spontaneous communication.

Attention! All recommendations can be used that you can prepare for the interview at the interview with employers:

• to be confident and moderately uninhibited;
• Answer questions clearly, defending their position;
• be prepared for unexpected, uncomfortable questions;
• not to respond to provocation;
• to construct phrases correctly, try not to stutter;
• control gestures and facial expressions.

Clothing should also be businesslike - emphasized strict. About, what to wear to a woman's job interview., we described in the corresponding article.

Lastly, we recommend watching a fun video in which a TV host talks about 3 simple rules to help you prepare:

Now you know how to prepare for an interview with an employer and a journalist! We hope our recommendations have helped you in preparing for such an important conversation!

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