Although the telephone is widely used for interviews, especially when time and distance are factors, the most effective and in-depth interviews are likely to be face-to-face. Correspondingly of course, there is much more etiquette, potential disasters and nerves involved in these such interviews. Luckily there are numerous tricks and tips a first time interviewer can use to combat the situation.

Thomas Clifford, an award-winning corporate film maker has a list of his 22 most valuable interviewing techniques. True, his interviews are specifically for on-camera, but many of the procedures are the same no matter what differences there are in the who, what, where and how. His list includes specific questions you should always ask, such as ‘what’s at stake?’ and ‘how did you get into this business?’, which are applicable to almost anyone. He also includes his number one tip – to make the interviewee feel as relaxed and comfortable as possible. It is proven that the interview will be much more successful this way.

Andrew Denton is known for his ability to make his interviewee’s feel relaxed as possible. When interviewing David Hicks’ lawyer Major Michael Mori,  Denton abides by Clifford’s number 1 tip, opening the interview with jokes and a conversational tone. When asking the more controversial questions, Denton really listens to Mori’s answers, and asks suitable followup questions. Denton does ask similiar questions over and over, and this technique appears to work well when dealing with potential controversy as the interviewee feels obligated to add a bit more on to what he previously said. Denton’s body language is also interesting to watch.

On the other hand, certain techniques can be taken too far, and the interview can become almost laughable – you do not want your interviewee to be laughing at your efforts. The following video is a parody, courtesy of Full Frontal and is effective in showing us what NOT to do.

Ringing up almost a complete stranger and asking them for an interview is a very daunting task. Especially as I am the type of person who gets nervous calling the hairdresser to book an appointment. I spent at least 15 minutes rehearsing what I would say – how I would introduce myself, what I would do if I got an answering machine and so on. But even after all this imaginary conversation to myself, I wasn’t prepared for one thing – what do i do when the phone just rings and rings, without no answering machine? I hung up, and sat, unsure of what to do next. I waited 5 minutes, then tried again. no answer. I waited another 10 minutes. no answer. I waited an hour. no answer. I waited another 2 hours before success. all the while in a state of nervous tension. When my interviewee finally answered his phone, he told me to call him back in another 2 hours. 

ok then.

2 hours later I promptly rang at the arranged time. And what do you know, the whole process began again. The man simply would not pick up his phone.

Chris Frost outlines in ‘Reporting for journalists’ the pro’s and cons of using the telephone for interviews.

“Using a phone gives you one major advantage. You make the call, and the answerer takes a chance. because he or she doesn’t know who is there and is obliged to interrupt other, possibly more important , activities in order to answer.”  

On the other hand, as I found out, once they know who you are, it is very easy for them to ignore you.

Frost goes on to confirm that sometimes people will prove to be difficult interviewee’s. When this occurs, ask yourself if there is anyone else you can interview – in my case, there really wasn’t. And so, unfortuantly for my interviewee, he had the dishonor of being dropped from my interview notes.