Imagine your good fortune: you've been contacted by a member of
press (newspaper, radio, tv, Internet, whatever) and they want to interview you! What a great publicity opportunity! You accept gladly, but after initial thrill wears off, panic sets in at prospect of being interviewed. "What will they ask me? What will I say? Will I sound intelligent and knowledgeable, or idiotic and incompetent?" Relax -- this article is going to help get you prepared and calm your fears.On Being Asked for an Interview
When you are first contacted about an interview, definitely "milk it" -- sound eager and interested, not indifferent or disinterested. Encourage reporter in his/her selection of you as an interview candidate. Marshall up your confidence -- think to yourself, "I am best and most qualified person for this interview."
It's also ok to be inquisitive -- if you're going to be giving of your time and expertise, it's natural to want to have a full understanding of who this person is, what media outlet they represent, where your interview or quotes will be published or broadcast, what angle of interview will be, and how long interview will last. You should always allow yourself opportunity to refuse interview if you feel at all uncomfortable about subject matter or media for which you would be interviewed. Proceed with caution because, after all, it is YOUR reputation that will be on line.
Preparing for Interview
Once you've agreed to interview, you want to get prepared. Here's how:
1. Familiarize yourself with show, publication, etc. before interview. Get to know reporter, interview format, and audience.
2. Prepare questions in advance that you feel interviewer might ask you. It might help to have a friend or co-worker do a dry run with you beforehand.
3. If there are certain points you want to get across (or messages you want to "plug") be sure to determine them in advance. Then, during interview, you need to look for opportunities to get these points out and weave them into your response.
4. Have ready any press releases, bios, photos, video clips, sound bites, etc. that you can provide to reporter to back up your statements or enhance final interview piece.
5. If you're being interviewed for television and it's on an important topic for your company, you may want to hire a professional media trainer. This person can help you create your message, answer questions in a poised and effective way, and even show you how to gesture while speaking.
Giving Interview
Our list continues with must-do's to keep in mind DURING interview:
6. Generally give short answers rather than long, drawn-out ones. Get to point.
