The One Question to Ask during an Interview

A trusted, media-savvy friend ( Rhonda Roberts ) suggested that I write a series of posts on LinkedIn.  It would give me a creative outlet, and perhaps introduce me to prospective employers.  I somewhat bristled at the thought.  Like many people who’ve worked in marketing and advertising, I’m perfectly happy to persuade you to buy things or eat at the best BBQ restaurant in White Bluff, TN…but I am at a loss when the subject is self-promotion.  Another concern: while I consider myself a competent producer, director, videographer, editor, sound recordist, and writer, I don’t see myself as someone likely to impart much insight about any of these activities.  Before I could ignore her counsel and put my laptop away, I had a small revelation.  Why not write about the wisdom other people have given me?  Experienced media professionals may find this material self-evident, but here we go…

In college I took a career aptitude exam.  I discovered that I was an anomaly of sorts- even though I wanted a job where I worked in the field and got to meet interesting new people, I wasn’t very comfortable TALKING with them.  Or being the center of attention.  (I think this is common among videographers and photographers.  We communicate by observing and recording.  By quietly creating a montage of sounds and images based on what we deem significant in the environment around us).

There’s an allegedly witty phrase photographers sometimes repeat while asking a reporter to carry their tripod: “Remember, three-fourths of the word ‘reporter’ is ‘porter’”.  Personally, I was stout enough to schlep around the sticks myself, but a good measure of my appreciation for reporters stemmed from their ability to talk.  To interact.  To enjoy (or at least tolerate) the spotlight shining on them.  I decided in the early days of my career to study their interview techniques so that I might be able to loosely replicate them when I was in the field alone, camera in the right hand…microphone in the left.

I’ve been fortunate to work with dozens of talented reporters and field producers, and I wish I could absorb everything they know about conducting an interview.  From Miranda Cohen I learned what I consider the most crucial question to ask before concluding almost ANY interview:

                  “Is there anything I didn’t ask you that you wish I HAD asked?”

Most of the time…probably 80 percent… you’ll get a reply like “No, I can’t think of anything”.  And that’s perfectly fine.  Perhaps you’ve covered everything that needed to be said.  Or your subject is pressed for time.  But sometimes, you’re rewarded with that perfect response that ties up the whole story with a pretty bow.  Regardless, you will give your interview subjects an unfettered opportunity to deliver their message.  In a journalistic context you may need to question the veracity of that message; for today’s purposes I’m talking about situations where the goal is to convey general information as effectively as possible.

I’ve interviewed lawyers, legislators, artists, first responders, surgeons, epidemiologists, professors, race car drivers, actors, construction workers, historians, librarians, ministers, professional athletes, musicians, engineers…you get the idea.  There’s no way I could be their equal in their many fields of study.  I’ve learned to put my ego aside and let the expert be the expert.  To try to understand the subject matter well enough to give the viewer useful or entertaining information.  It takes a certain confidence to conclude an interview by suggesting you may have neglected to ask a foundational question, but I think it’s worth it.

Reporters, writers, field producers, and everybody: please feel free to share any of your most effective interview questions or techniques below.  At heart, I’m still a videographer that must hold the mic sometimes, and I can use your insight.