Interview preparation
Interviews fail in the preparation, not the conversation. This skill covers pre-interview research, question design, logistics, and follow-up.
When to use
- Preparing to interview a source
- Developing question frameworks for recurring interview types
- Managing interview logistics and consent
- Planning follow-up after initial interviews
- Training new reporters on interview technique
Pre-interview research checklist
Background research
## Source background check
### Public records
- [ ] Professional licenses verified
- [ ] Court records checked (civil/criminal)
- [ ] Business registrations confirmed
- [ ] Property records (if relevant)
- [ ] Campaign finance (if political figure)
- [ ] SEC filings (if corporate)
### Professional background
- [ ] LinkedIn profile reviewed
- [ ] Current employer confirmed
- [ ] Previous employers noted
- [ ] Published work reviewed
- [ ] Conference appearances checked
- [ ] Professional associations
### Social media audit
- [ ] All platforms identified (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.)
- [ ] Post history reviewed
- [ ] Connections/followers analyzed
- [ ] Previous statements on topic found
- [ ] Any deleted content recovered?
### Media appearances
- [ ] Previous interviews found
- [ ] Statements consistent with current position?
- [ ] Other journalists' assessments
- [ ] Any retractions or corrections involving them?Context research
## Topic preparation
### Essential knowledge
- [ ] Key facts about the topic confirmed
- [ ] Timeline of events established
- [ ] Other stakeholders identified
- [ ] Conflicting accounts noted
- [ ] Documents/data reviewed
### What to know before you dial
- [ ] How do they fit into the story?
- [ ] What do I NEED from this interview?
- [ ] What might they be reluctant to discuss?
- [ ] What have they said publicly before?Question framework
The essential questions
Every interview should be built to answer:
- What happened? (Facts)
- Why did it happen? (Causes)
- What did you do/decide/see? (Actions)
- What does it mean? (Significance)
- What's next? (Implications)
Question types
| Type | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Open-ended | Get the full story | "Walk me through what happened that day." |
| Clarifying | Pin down details | "When you say 'soon after,' do you mean minutes or hours?" |
| Probing | Go deeper | "Why do you think that happened?" |
| Follow-up | Catch inconsistencies | "Earlier you said X, but now you mentioned Y. Help me understand." |
| Confrontational | Challenge statements | "Documents show [fact]. How do you respond?" |
| Closing | Ensure completeness | "Is there anything I didn't ask that you think I should know?" |
Question templates by interview type
Profile interview:
1. Background: "Tell me about where you grew up / how you got started."
2. Turning point: "When did you realize [X] was your path?"
3. Challenge: "What was the hardest moment in [period]?"
4. Values: "What principle guides your work?"
5. Future: "What are you working on next?"Investigative interview:
1. Establish rapport: Non-threatening background questions first
2. Timeline: "Walk me through [event] from the beginning."
3. Details: "Who else was there? What did you see/hear?"
4. Documentation: "Do you have any records of this?"
5. Corroboration: "Who else can confirm this?"
6. Response: "What did [other party] say when you raised this?"Expert/explainer interview:
1. Credentials: "What's your expertise in this area?"
2. Plain language: "Explain [concept] as if I'm not a specialist."
3. Context: "How common/unusual is [situation]?"
4. Significance: "Why does this matter?"
5. Sources: "Where can I learn more? Who else should I talk to?"Victim/sensitive interview:
1. Control: "Take your time. You can stop at any point."
2. Open: "Tell me what you're comfortable sharing."
3. Specific: "Can you describe [specific detail]?"
4. Impact: "How has this affected you?"
5. Agency: "What do you want people to understand?"
6. Check-in: "Are you okay to continue?"Recording and consent
Recording laws by state type
One-party consent states: You can record without telling the other person (but you should tell them anyway for ethical reasons).
Two-party/all-party consent states: All parties must consent. These include: California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Washington.
Always do:
- State clearly at the start: "I'm recording this interview. Is that okay?"
- Get affirmative consent on the recording itself
- Note the consent in your notes
Consent template
## Recording consent
Date: [date]
Interviewer: [your name]
Subject: [their name]
Medium: [phone/video/in-person]
[At start of recording:]
"This is [your name] with [publication], interviewing [their name] on [date].
I'm recording this conversation. Do I have your permission to record?"
[Their response: yes/no]
"And you understand this may be used for publication?"
[Their response: yes/no]Attribution guidelines
On the record (default)
- Everything can be published with full name and title
- This is the standard expectation unless otherwise agreed
On background
- Information can be used, but source not identified by name
- Agree on description: "a senior official," "someone familiar with the matter"
- Confirm exact wording before interview ends
Deep background
- Information can guide reporting but cannot be attributed at all
- Verify independently before publishing
- Rarely appropriate—push for at least background
Off the record
- Information is for your knowledge only
- Cannot be published or used to seek confirmation elsewhere
- Agree to this BEFORE they share information, not after
- If they say something on the record then try to take it off, you can refuse
Clarifying attribution
Before starting:
"Just to be clear on attribution—are we on the record?"
If they request otherwise:
"I'd prefer on the record. What concerns you about that?"
If they insist:
"Okay, we'll go on background. What description can I use?"
Document it:
"So I can refer to you as [agreed description]—is that right?"Interview logistics
Scheduling template
## Interview request
To: [source name]
Subject: Interview request - [topic] - [publication]
[Name],
I'm a [title] at [publication] working on a story about [brief, honest description].
I'd like to speak with you because [why they're relevant]. The interview would take approximately [realistic time estimate].
Are you available [specific days/times]? I can do phone, video, or in-person—whatever works best for you.
Please let me know if you have questions about the story.
[Your name]
[Contact info]Pre-interview checklist
## Day-of checklist
### Equipment
- [ ] Primary recorder charged/working
- [ ] Backup recorder ready
- [ ] Notebook and pens
- [ ] Printed questions/documents
- [ ] Business cards
### Logistics
- [ ] Location confirmed
- [ ] Contact's phone number for day-of
- [ ] Tested video/phone connection
- [ ] Quiet space secured
### Preparation
- [ ] Questions reviewed and prioritized
- [ ] Documents to reference ready
- [ ] Timeline of facts clear in mind
- [ ] Backup questions if interview goes shortDuring the interview
Opening
- Small talk to build rapport (brief)
- Confirm time available
- State recording and get consent
- Start with easy, open questions
Active listening
- Let them finish sentences
- Use silence—don't fill every pause
- Take notes even if recording
- Note non-verbal cues separately
Real-time verification
- Ask for specifics: dates, names, locations
- Request documentation during interview
- Ask "How do you know that?"
- Note inconsistencies for follow-up
Closing
- "Is there anything I didn't ask that I should have?"
- "Who else should I talk to?"
- "Can I follow up if I have more questions?"
- Thank them for their time
Follow-up protocols
Immediate (same day)
- Back up recording
- Transcribe key quotes while fresh
- Note observations not on recording
- Send thank-you if appropriate
Within 48 hours
- Full transcription or detailed notes
- Fact-check claims against available records
- Identify gaps requiring follow-up
- Add source to contacts database
Before publication
- Verify quotes are accurate
- Confirm attribution terms
- Offer to read back quotes if promised
- Give chance to respond to characterizations (if newsworthy)
Difficult situations
They want to go off the record mid-interview
"Before I agree to that, let me hear what you want to tell me, and then we can discuss how to handle it."
They refuse to answer
"I understand you can't discuss that. Can you point me to someone who can?"
They're hostile
Stay calm. Keep questions factual. "I'm just trying to understand what happened."
They're crying/emotional
Pause. "Take your time. We can stop whenever you need."
They lie
Don't accuse. Present contradicting evidence: "Documents show [X]. Can you help me understand the discrepancy?"
*Good interviews require good preparation. The conversation is the easy part.*