Mastering Interviews with Experts: Common Mistakes to Avoid for News Professionals

Conducting interviews with experts is a cornerstone of credible news reporting. These interviews provide valuable insights, context, and perspectives that enrich your stories and establish you as a trusted source of information. But are you making the most of these opportunities, or are easily avoidable mistakes undermining your efforts? Are you truly prepared to extract the golden nuggets of knowledge from the experts you interview?

Failing to Research Properly Before Interviews with Experts

One of the most significant errors journalists make is inadequate preparation. Jumping into an interview without sufficient background knowledge not only wastes the expert’s time but also prevents you from asking insightful questions. This can lead to a superficial interview that lacks depth and fails to uncover newsworthy angles.

Before you even think about scheduling an interview, dedicate time to thoroughly researching the expert and their field. This includes:

• Reviewing their publications and previous interviews: Understand their existing viewpoints and areas of expertise.
• Staying up-to-date on relevant industry news: Grasp the current trends, challenges, and opportunities in their sector.
• Identifying potential areas of disagreement or controversy: Prepare questions that challenge their assumptions and explore different perspectives.

For example, if you’re interviewing an expert on artificial intelligence, you should be familiar with recent developments in areas like OpenAI‘s GPT models, ethical concerns surrounding AI bias, and regulatory efforts to govern AI development. Without this foundational knowledge, your questions will likely be generic and fail to elicit valuable insights.

In my experience as a senior editor, I’ve observed that reporters who spend at least 2-3 hours researching an expert before an interview consistently produce more compelling and informative stories.

Insufficiently Defining the Scope of Interviews for News Reports

Another common pitfall is failing to clearly define the interview’s scope and objectives. Without a specific focus, the conversation can meander aimlessly, resulting in a disjointed and unfocused story. You need to establish a clear understanding of what you want to achieve with the interview and communicate this to the expert beforehand.

Here’s how to define the scope effectively:

1. Identify the key themes and questions you want to explore: What are the main points you want to cover? What specific information are you seeking?
2. Communicate your objectives to the expert in advance: Provide them with a brief outline of the topics you plan to discuss and any specific questions you have.
3. Set time limits for each section of the interview: This helps to keep the conversation on track and ensures you cover all the essential areas.

For example, if you are writing a piece on the future of remote work, you might focus the interview on topics such as the impact of remote work on productivity, the challenges of managing remote teams, and the long-term implications for commercial real estate. Clearly communicate these themes to the expert beforehand so they can prepare relevant examples and data.

Failing to define the scope can also lead to scope creep, where the interview veers off into unrelated topics, wasting valuable time and diluting the focus of your story. Stay disciplined and politely steer the conversation back to the core themes.

Asking Leading Questions and Biased Questions

Maintaining objectivity is paramount in journalism. Asking leading questions or framing questions in a way that reveals your own biases can compromise the integrity of the interview and undermine your credibility. Leading questions subtly suggest the answer you expect, preventing the expert from offering their genuine perspective.

Examples of leading questions to avoid:

• “Don’t you agree that climate change is an existential threat?” (Assumes the expert agrees with the premise)
• “Isn’t it obvious that this new policy is a disaster?” (Implies a negative judgment)

Instead, strive to ask open-ended, neutral questions that encourage the expert to elaborate and share their own opinions. Here are some examples:

• “What are your thoughts on the potential impacts of climate change?”
• “What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of this new policy?”

Furthermore, be mindful of your nonverbal cues. Your facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language can all communicate your biases, even if your questions are neutral. Strive to maintain a neutral and objective demeanor throughout the interview.

If an expert makes a statement that you disagree with, avoid interrupting or challenging them directly. Instead, ask follow-up questions that encourage them to explain their reasoning and provide evidence to support their claims.

Poor Listening Skills During Important News Interviews

Effective listening is crucial for a successful interview. Too often, journalists are so focused on their next question that they fail to truly listen to the expert’s responses. This can lead to missed opportunities, misunderstandings, and a lack of follow-up questions that could uncover deeper insights.

Here are some tips for improving your listening skills:

• Pay attention to both verbal and nonverbal cues: Observe the expert’s body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions to gain a deeper understanding of their message.
• Avoid interrupting: Let the expert finish their thought before jumping in with your next question.
• Take notes: Jot down key points, quotes, and ideas that emerge during the conversation.
• Ask clarifying questions: If you’re unsure about something, don’t hesitate to ask the expert to explain it further.
• Summarize and paraphrase: Periodically summarize the expert’s main points to ensure you understand them correctly.

Active listening also involves being present in the moment and focusing your full attention on the expert. Put away your phone, close your laptop, and eliminate any other distractions that could interfere with your ability to listen effectively. If conducting the interview remotely, ensure a stable internet connection and a quiet environment.

Neglecting to Build Rapport and Establish Trust

Building rapport and establishing trust is essential for eliciting candid and insightful responses from experts. If the expert feels uncomfortable or distrustful, they may be reluctant to share their true thoughts and opinions. Establishing trust starts before the interview even begins.

Here’s how to build rapport and establish trust:

• Introduce yourself and your publication clearly: Explain your role and the purpose of the interview.
• Be respectful of the expert’s time: Arrive on time, stick to the agreed-upon schedule, and thank them for their participation.
• Show genuine interest in their work: Ask questions that demonstrate you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested in their expertise.
• Be transparent about your intentions: Explain how you plan to use the information they provide and offer them the opportunity to review quotes for accuracy.

During the interview, maintain eye contact, smile, and use positive body language to create a welcoming and engaging atmosphere. Listen attentively to their responses and show empathy for their perspectives. If they share sensitive or personal information, treat it with respect and discretion. Consider the expert’s personal background and adjust your communication style accordingly. For example, academics may respond well to a formal approach, while entrepreneurs may prefer a more informal and conversational style.

According to a 2025 study by the Pew Research Center, sources who felt respected and understood by journalists were significantly more likely to provide valuable and insightful information.

Failing to Follow Up After the Interview for News Accuracy

The interview isn’t over once the recording stops. Failing to follow up with the expert after the interview can lead to inaccuracies and misunderstandings in your reporting. It’s crucial to give the expert the opportunity to review any quotes you plan to use and to clarify any points that may be unclear.

Here’s how to follow up effectively:

• Send the expert a transcript or summary of the interview: This allows them to review their statements and identify any errors or omissions.
• Offer them the opportunity to review quotes for accuracy: This ensures that their words are presented in the correct context and that they are comfortable with how they are being quoted.
• Be responsive to their feedback: If the expert identifies any inaccuracies or requests changes, be willing to make adjustments to your reporting.

Following up also provides an opportunity to ask any additional questions that may have arisen since the interview. You can also use this opportunity to thank the expert again for their time and to maintain a positive relationship for future collaborations.

Conclusion

Mastering interviews with experts is crucial for producing high-quality news. By avoiding common mistakes such as inadequate preparation, asking leading questions, poor listening, neglecting to build rapport, and failing to follow up, you can elevate your interviews and extract valuable insights. Remember to prioritize thorough research, objective questioning, active listening, and respectful communication. The key takeaway is to treat each interview as a collaborative effort, ensuring accuracy and building trust with your sources. By doing so, you’ll not only enhance the quality of your reporting but also establish yourself as a credible and respected journalist.