A guide for young journalists: how to overcome imposter syndrome when interviewing people
As journalists, it’s our job to talk to people in order to tell stories. But when you are a young reporter just starting out, it can be the most intimidating part of the job.
As a reporter, I can expect to interview an average of three people per shift. This is more apparent in radio, when you do not have images or cutaways to work with and sound is your only means of illustrating. But that’s also what makes the job so exciting. You get to meet so many different people and see the world in its many shades of grey. So enjoy this opportunity, don’t feel intimidated by it.
People’s voices add colour, meaning and development to your story. Knowing how to approach your interviewees, make them feel comfortable and get the best out of them is crucial. And it’s something that with a little practice, you can soon develop.
Securing the interview
NEVER say you are a “student journalist”
Telling either a press officer or an interviewee that you are a student journalist allows them to put you right at the bottom of their priorities and not bother to help you.
Press offices are under immense pressure to cater to all media organisations. If they are trying to serve you and the BBC in the same space of time, they are going to prioritise the BBC. It’s just the way it is.
You should never lie, but I’ve found the way around this is saying you’re a freelance journalist. If the press officer asks you who you are freelancing for — tell them you haven’t pitched it yet but you will be pitching it to [insert name of news organisation]. Or if your university has a news platform, use that but don’t tell them it’s the University’s student website.
Know the story
This sounds odd, but know what you want to find out and how you can sum it up in a few sentences before you pick up the phone to get an interview with somebody.
People want to know exactly what you want them to do so they know how to frame their answers. It might even be that they know somebody more suitable for your enquiry.
Be honest
Always be completely honest with your interviewee about the story you are telling and how they fit into it.
Before I start recording, I make sure the person understands what the story is and what I want to ask them. This not only helps them to frame their answers, but ensures they are comfortable and know exactly what they have given permission to you for. This of course goes a long way in showing your professionalism and making you feel relaxed too.
Getting people to take you seriously
You need to convince yourself you are a professional before you can convince anybody else
I’m in my mid-twenties, but I have a baby face and people think I’m younger. I’m sure I’ll be thankful for it later on in life. I’ve often turned up to interview somebody and they’ve told me how young I look — which immediately makes you doubt yourself.
Dress for success
Looking and feeling confident will project from the inside out. Generally, I find a smart casual look works well for interviewing, especially out on location. It is very adaptable if you decide to appear on camera with the interviewee. Make sure you’re also wearing comfortable footwear if you’re out reporting!
Make-up is of course a personal choice, but I believe that a bit of make-up helps me to feel confident, and if like me you look young for your years, it can add some.. erm.. maturity.
The key point here is that looking and feeling good will project confidence and professionalism.
Don’t glam yourself up so far that you look like you take yourself too seriously — this could even intimidate your interviewee. But leave the university hoodie at home!
Do your research
Do your research around your interviewee so you avoid asking silly questions. This is always one of my biggest fears – especially if it’s a politician I’m interviewing!
If you’re not sure how to approach them in the interview, perhaps look to see if another broadcaster or newspaper has interviewed them recently — what were they like? Are they nervous or do they try to intimidate the journalist? Are they good at answering the questions? All of this is good preparation and research demonstrates that you are professional and asking the right questions.
Focus on the answers, not the questions
When you’re new to interviewing people, it’s easy to over-interview people because you want to make sure you’ve covered all the bases.
Beyond the 5W & H rule, think about the answers you want from your interviewee and then write the questions to bring out those answers. I’m not suggesting at all that you put words in your interviewee’s mouth. Start with open-ended questions and then they might say something interesting which you can ask them more about.
Doing the interview
Be organised
Be prepared with your questions and your equipment. One of the worst feelings is arriving when the interview should be starting and you’ve still got to set up your equipment. This screams unprofessional and your interviewee could get frustrated if they’re stretched for time.
It’s always better to ask if you can arrive at the location half an hour early to set up equipment and compose yourself so that you’re ready to go when it’s time to interview.
Take charge of the situation
Feeling nervous about the interview and out of control of the situation can actually make your interviewee feel uneasy too.
Remember you are here to ask them for their knowledge or opinion, to shed light and colour on your story. Don’t feel intimidated by the pedestal you have placed them on.
Show that you are genuinely interested in what they have to say and they will open up. They’re most likely flattered that you have chosen them to help tell your story.
- Tip – If the idea of interviewing somebody seems daunting, imagine you are having a chat and there just happens to be a camera present.
Take your time
Whilst being organised and efficient is important, don’t be tempted to race through the interview because you feel inferior and like you’re wasting their time.
They agreed to do the interview, so don’t be tempted to skip some questions to get in and get out because you are nervous.
Ease in with a couple of general questions, which also gives you the background information. Then move on to the crux of the story, the part you’ll most likely use in the edit.
- Tip — For sound tests, my personal favourite technique is asking people about what they had for breakfast. It usually ends in a debate about how they like their eggs or how strong they drink their tea (so British!). But it loosens both of us up before the interview and reminds us that we are both human beings.
At the end of the day, if you’ve got an interview which is useless because you didn’t take the time to ask the right questions, you will look unprofessional, because you can’t do anything with what you’ve got.
Find your voice
Do you remember when Simba goes to find his roar so he can stop being called a cub? Well, it’s the same concept.
Having an authoritative, confident, yet approachable voice will help you to develop both your news reading and interviewing skills.
Most of us will have had a first job in the service industry — waitressing or retail. Think about the way you would have spoken to your customers. Channel that person.
It’s a different way to how you would go home and speak to your friends and family, right?
Take the same approach with your interviewees. Be confident, friendly and supportive. Reassure them and explain what you’ll be asking of them.
Be clear, be concise, but most importantly, be YOU!
Most broadcast journalists will complete some voice work during their training. This does not mean going to get elocution lessons. It’s about enhancing your own voice and using it to its full potential.
The “Queen’s english” is a thing of the past in the media industry.
Nowadays, a local accent is NOT an issue as long as your voice is clear and your audience can understand what you’re saying.
I have a slight brummie accent, which I’ve always had a hang up about. But, I’ve learnt that there’s a difference between speaking clearly, concisely and professionally, and speaking like a royal.
And in fact, I’ve had people say to me they like to hear a local accent in the news.
Again, it’s about having that belief in yourself. Own your voice, it’s yours!
When I worked with Global radio (Heart, Capital, Smooth), the presenters were receiving refresher voice training. One of the things the coach was looking for was to make sure the newsreaders sounded the same on air as they did when speaking normally.
Know how to adapt your voice
Knowing how to adapt your voice to the situation is also key to connecting with your interviewee. You will speak to members of the public differently than you would to a politician.
If it is a councillor or politician, it may be that you will need a more stern voice if you’re calling them out on something. If you’re speaking to a mother about the concerns for her disabled child getting to school, you’ll show your humanity and take a much softer and more compassionate approach.
Share your tips and experiences with young journalists, comment below, or tweet me @laurathejourno.
