The one thing you would never do is turn up on anyone’s doorstep without warning and expect them to drop what they’re doing and speak to you.As well as being impolite ,turning up unannounced is likely to unnerve and annoy most people.Always ring up or write to the person you wish to interview asking if they will spare some time to talk to you.
Before fixing up an appointment,make sure that the individual you intend to interview is the right person to speak to.Speak to person who will give you the most information and quotes-not the person with the fanciest title or largest office.
Also make sure you know exactly what it is you want to talk to someone about.Have a specific list of topics in mind and give them prior warning of the sort of information you are likely to need.
This doesn’t mean giving someone a set of pre-printed questions days before the meeting(although politicians love this!)It simply allows interviewes to gather any documents and check up on facts they know you may require but which they haven’t got to hand.There’s nothing more annoying than having to halt an interview while someone goes off to seach for a missing file.
Fix up an interview at a time and place that is convenient to you both.If you need to interview several people in a firm or club,find some way to bring them all together in the same room at the same time.Even if this means waiting a week or so it will still be quicker than fixing up series of individual appointments.
Always ensure that you have plenty of time to conduct the interview so that it doesn’t seem rushed.A good, reproductive interview should be a relaxed ,friendly chat-not a rapid bombardment of questions.
