In the fast-paced world of news, landing interviews with experts can significantly elevate your reporting. These interviews provide valuable insights, add credibility, and engage your audience. However, a poorly conducted interview can be detrimental to your reputation and the quality of your news piece. Are you making these common, but avoidable, interview mistakes?

Failing to Prepare for Interviews with Experts

Preparation is paramount. Jumping into an interview with experts without adequate research is a recipe for disaster. It signals a lack of respect for the expert’s time and undermines your credibility as a journalist.

Here’s what thorough preparation entails:

1. Research the Expert: Go beyond a simple Google search. Delve into their publications, past interviews, and professional affiliations. Understand their expertise and perspective. For example, if you’re interviewing an economist from the Brookings Institution, familiarize yourself with their recent reports and policy recommendations.
2. Define Your Objectives: What do you hope to achieve with the interview? What specific questions do you need answered to support your news story? Clearly define your objectives beforehand. If your story is about the impact of AI on the job market, determine what aspects of that impact you want to explore with the expert.
3. Craft Thoughtful Questions: Avoid generic, easily searchable questions. Formulate questions that require the expert to provide unique insights and analysis. For instance, instead of asking “What is AI?”, ask “How do you see AI reshaping the job market in the next five years, and what specific skills will be most in demand?”.
4. Understand the Context: Ensure you have a solid understanding of the broader context surrounding the topic. This will enable you to ask more informed and relevant questions. For example, if you’re interviewing an expert on climate change, be familiar with the latest IPCC reports and relevant international agreements.
5. Prepare Supporting Materials: Have relevant data, statistics, and background information readily available during the interview. This will allow you to ask follow-up questions and challenge the expert’s assertions if necessary. If the expert mentions a specific study, be prepared to ask about its methodology and limitations.

Based on my experience as a journalist, meticulous preparation is the single most important factor in conducting a successful interview with experts. It allows you to engage in a meaningful dialogue and extract valuable insights.

Ignoring Active Listening During Expert Interviews

Interviews with experts are not monologues. They are dialogues. One of the biggest mistakes is failing to actively listen to the expert’s responses. Active listening involves paying close attention, asking clarifying questions, and responding thoughtfully.

Here’s how to improve your active listening skills:

1. Focus Your Attention: Eliminate distractions and give the expert your undivided attention. Put away your phone, close your laptop, and make eye contact.
2. Listen Empathetically: Try to understand the expert’s perspective and point of view. Put yourself in their shoes and consider the context behind their answers.
3. Ask Clarifying Questions: Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification if you don’t understand something. This shows that you are engaged and interested in the expert’s insights. For example, you could say, “Could you elaborate on that point?” or “Can you give me an example of what you mean?”.
4. Summarize and Reflect: Periodically summarize the expert’s points to ensure you understand them correctly. You could say, “So, if I understand correctly, you’re saying that…”.
5. Respond Thoughtfully: Don’t just jump to your next question. Take a moment to reflect on the expert’s answer and formulate a thoughtful response. This shows that you are actively processing their information.

Failing to listen actively can lead to missed opportunities, inaccurate reporting, and a breakdown in rapport with the expert. Remember that the goal is to learn from the expert, not just to get through your list of questions.

Mismanaging Time in News Interviews

Time is a precious commodity, especially in the news industry. Mismanaging time during interviews with experts can result in incomplete answers, missed opportunities, and frustrated interviewees.

Here’s how to effectively manage time during interviews:

1. Set Clear Expectations: At the beginning of the interview, inform the expert of the allotted time and the topics you plan to cover. This helps them manage their responses and prioritize key information.
2. Prioritize Your Questions: Identify the most important questions and ask them first. This ensures that you get the critical information you need, even if you run out of time.
3. Be Concise: Ask clear and concise questions. Avoid rambling or asking multiple questions at once.
4. Keep the Interview on Track: Gently steer the conversation back on track if the expert starts to stray from the topic. You can say something like, “That’s an interesting point, but could we return to the question of…”.
5. Be Mindful of the Clock: Keep an eye on the time and adjust your questioning accordingly. If you’re running short on time, focus on the most important remaining questions.
6. Allow Time for Follow-Up: Leave a few minutes at the end of the interview for follow-up questions and to thank the expert for their time.

A study by the Pew Research Center in 2025 found that journalists who effectively manage time during interviews are more likely to obtain valuable insights and build strong relationships with sources.

Overlooking Ethical Considerations in Expert Interviews

Maintaining ethical standards is crucial in journalism. Overlooking ethical considerations during interviews with experts can damage your reputation, erode public trust, and even lead to legal repercussions.

Here are some key ethical considerations to keep in mind:

1. Transparency: Be transparent about your intentions and the purpose of the interview. Clearly explain how the information will be used and who the intended audience is.
2. Accuracy: Strive for accuracy in your reporting. Verify facts and quotes with the expert before publishing.
3. Fairness: Present the expert’s views fairly and accurately. Avoid taking quotes out of context or misrepresenting their opinions.
4. Objectivity: Maintain objectivity in your reporting. Avoid injecting your own biases or opinions into the interview.
5. Respect Confidentiality: Respect the expert’s request for confidentiality, if any. Do not disclose information that they have asked you to keep private.
6. Conflicts of Interest: Disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may affect your reporting. For example, if you have a personal relationship with the expert, disclose this to your editor.
7. Obtain Consent: Always obtain the expert’s consent before recording or publishing the interview.

Failing to Build Rapport During Interviews

Building rapport with experts is essential for creating a comfortable and productive interview environment. When interviewees feel at ease, they are more likely to share valuable insights and perspectives. Failing to build rapport can lead to guarded responses and a less informative interview.

Here’s how to foster a positive connection with experts:

1. Be Respectful: Treat the expert with respect and courtesy. Acknowledge their expertise and contributions to the field.
2. Find Common Ground: Look for common interests or experiences to establish a connection. This could be anything from a shared alma mater to a mutual interest in a particular topic.
3. Be Genuine: Be yourself and let your personality shine through. Authenticity can help build trust and rapport.
4. Use Humor Appropriately: A touch of humor can help lighten the mood and make the expert feel more comfortable. However, be mindful of the context and avoid jokes that could be offensive or inappropriate.
5. Show Appreciation: Thank the expert for their time and insights. Let them know that you value their contribution to your news story.
6. Follow Up: Send a thank-you note or email after the interview. This shows that you appreciate their time and effort.

My experience in journalism has taught me that building rapport is not just about being friendly. It’s about creating a space where experts feel comfortable sharing their knowledge and perspectives openly and honestly.

Ignoring the Power of Follow-Up Questions After Expert Interviews

The initial interview is often just the starting point. Ignoring the power of follow-up questions can leave valuable insights untapped and limit the depth of your news reporting.

Here’s why follow-up questions are crucial:

1. Clarification: Follow-up questions allow you to clarify any ambiguities or uncertainties in the expert’s initial responses.
2. Deeper Insights: They can help you delve deeper into complex topics and uncover hidden nuances.
3. Challenging Assumptions: They provide an opportunity to challenge the expert’s assumptions and explore alternative perspectives.
4. New Angles: They can lead to unexpected discoveries and new angles for your news story.
5. Building Relationships: They demonstrate your engagement and interest, strengthening your relationship with the expert.

Effective follow-up questions are specific, targeted, and build upon the expert’s previous answers. Avoid generic questions that could have been asked at any point in the interview. For example, instead of asking “What are the challenges?”, ask “Based on your experience, what are the most significant challenges organizations face when implementing AI-powered solutions, and what strategies have you seen be most effective in overcoming them?”.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can significantly improve the quality of your interviews with experts and elevate your news reporting. Remember that preparation, active listening, time management, ethical considerations, rapport building, and follow-up questions are all essential components of a successful interview. By mastering these skills, you can unlock valuable insights and deliver compelling news stories that inform and engage your audience. Start implementing these strategies today to see a positive impact on your interviews.