My First "Official" Interview

This past Monday I completed my first interview with the president of the SWCA. He is also the director of my school’s writing center, so it was a great opportunity. On the whole, the interview went well, but this blog will focus on specific areas that need improvement and others that could be expanded to make better.

First, although I took notes throughout the interview, I did not sit down afterwards and gather my thoughts. I think I really should have done this because it parallels the method that I followed while writing the Annotated Bib. With the interview fresh on my mind, there may have been specific incidents, words, phrases, etc. that I could have written down. For the upcoming interviews, I will do my best to complete this last step, as it may lead to new observations.

An issue that I had was how to read my questions. While the interview was ongoing, I was attempting to think or look down at my next question, while still paying attention and taking notes. This didn’t work very well, until I looked down and realized (insert smack in the head here) that the page, when pressed down, allowed me to read the typed questions underneath. With this new revelation, I was able to see the questions, and still take notes.

Another aspect that I need to fix is time management. It is possible to “feel” how long an interview is, but I would like to know the exact time length. I thought bringing out my cell phone would be rude, and looking down at the voice recorder might distract the interviewee, so I have decided to fix my wristwatch. With good time management I will be more in control of the interview.

Steps that I completed well were in establishing rapport with my interviewee, obtaining informed consent to record the interview and utilizing the techniques offered by our professor’s handout. I really would like to ask the interviewee for suggestions and critique, but I don't think you are supposed to be asking your interviewee that! On the whole, I believe the interview flowed smoothly, and I hope my future interviews work as well. The next step will be writing my “Thank You” email and transcribing the interview.

One down, I don’t know how many more to go!