Navigating Challenging Interview Scenarios with Confidence

Interviews are the backbone of feature writing. Whether you’re conducting a one-on-one chat or handling a group interview, the way you manage the situation is crucial for gathering the insights needed for a compelling story. However, not every interview is smooth sailing. From dealing with resistance from interviewees to handling evasive responses and managing high-profile personalities, there are many hurdles that feature writers face. In this post, we’ll walk through the strategies you can use to navigate these challenging interview scenarios with confidence. Let’s dive into these common issues and discover how to tackle them effectively.

Overcoming resistance from interviewees 🔗

Resistance in interviews can take many forms. Whether it’s a reluctance to share personal details, an unwillingness to talk about a controversial issue, or simply an interviewee being tight-lipped, resistance can be a serious roadblock in your quest for a great story. So, how do you break through that resistance?

Understanding the causes of resistance 🔗

Before diving into tactics, it’s important to understand why resistance happens. Some interviewees are naturally guarded or defensive because of the nature of the questions. For instance, if you’re covering sensitive topics like politics, personal scandals, or corporate controversies, people may naturally be reluctant to answer questions that could get them into trouble. Others may simply feel uncomfortable in the interview setting and want to protect their privacy.

Strategies to overcome resistance 🔗

• Establish rapport: One of the best ways to overcome resistance is to build trust with your interviewee. Begin the conversation with light, non-threatening questions that help them feel at ease. Showing genuine interest in their background and experiences creates a safe space for them to open up.
• Use silence to your advantage: Sometimes, allowing a pause after a question encourages the interviewee to fill the silence with more information. Don’t rush to fill in the gaps – give them time to think and respond.
• Be empathetic: Acknowledge their discomfort. If they’re hesitant to answer, gently express understanding, which can help lower their defenses. For instance, saying something like, “I understand this might be a tough question, but it’s important for the story,” shows you’re not being confrontational.
• Frame your questions carefully: Avoid coming off as accusatory or confrontational. Instead of directly challenging their views, phrase your questions in a way that invites reflection. For example, “What do you think about the criticisms your company is facing regarding X?” sounds less aggressive than “Why did your company do this?”
• Use follow-up questions: If your interviewee starts to close down, don’t hesitate to ask follow-up questions that help them elaborate on their answers. Instead of asking, “Are you satisfied with the results of X?” try, “Can you share more about how you feel about X, and what you would have changed?”

What do you think? Have you ever faced resistance in an interview? What strategy worked best for you?

Dealing with evasive responses 🔗

Evasive responses are another common challenge in interviews, particularly when speaking to public figures or politicians who might be trying to avoid controversial topics. Whether it’s dodging sensitive questions or giving vague answers, getting someone to engage meaningfully can feel like pulling teeth. So, how do you handle it when an interviewee is trying to deflect or redirect your questions?

Understanding evasive behavior 🔗

Evasive responses often arise from a desire to control the narrative or avoid discomfort. Public officials, politicians, or corporate leaders, in particular, might have been coached to avoid answering sensitive or challenging questions directly, often for image-management purposes. These responses can come in the form of generalizations, non-answers, or deflections towards unrelated topics.

Techniques for handling evasive answers 🔗

• Stay calm and composed: The key to handling evasive responses is maintaining your own composure. When an interviewee deflects a question, it’s easy to get frustrated, but staying calm and composed will allow you to redirect the conversation without losing control.
• Don’t be afraid to follow up: If an interviewee gives you a vague or evasive answer, don’t hesitate to follow up with more specific questions. A good follow-up question could be, “Can you elaborate on that?” or “Could you clarify what you mean by X?” This keeps the interview focused and signals that you expect a more detailed response.
• Be persistent (but polite): When dealing with evasive responses, persistence is essential. Politely insist on getting the information you need without being confrontational. A statement like, “I understand that this is a tough issue, but I would appreciate your insights on it,” can gently push your interviewee towards answering your question more directly.
• Change your approach: Sometimes, trying a different angle can force the interviewee to open up. If they’re avoiding a question, ask it from another perspective or reframe it to help them feel less cornered. Instead of asking, “Why did your organization take this action?” you might say, “What were the factors that led your organization to consider this action?”
• Use the power of “Why”: “Why” is an important tool in getting to the core of an evasive answer. Asking “Why” helps get the interviewee to clarify their stance and provide more depth. For example, “Why do you think this decision was the best course of action?”

What do you think? Have you ever had an interviewee who was really good at dodging questions? How did you handle it?

Interviewing celebrities and multiple interviewees 🔗

When you’re interviewing high-profile individuals or multiple people at once, the dynamics of the interview change completely. Managing such interviews requires a unique set of skills, from creating a comfortable environment to ensuring you capture all the insights you need from multiple voices. Whether you’re speaking to a celebrity, a politician, or a group of experts, here’s how you can ensure a smooth and productive interview process.

Interviewing celebrities: The nuances of managing high-profile personalities 🔗

Interviewing celebrities can be intimidating, especially if they’re known for being guarded or media-savvy. Celebrities may have a carefully crafted public image they want to maintain, and they may not be as open with personal or off-the-record information. However, understanding their position and adjusting your approach can help you get past the surface-level answers and uncover compelling insights.

Key strategies for interviewing celebrities 🔗

• Do your research: Before interviewing a celebrity, take time to research their background, career, and personal interests. Being well-prepared not only shows respect but also helps you craft more insightful questions that are likely to elicit interesting responses.
• Build rapport quickly: Celebrities are often used to being asked the same questions repeatedly. To stand out, engage them in a more personal way. Ask about their passions, projects, or interests beyond their public persona to build a deeper connection.
• Be respectful of their time: Celebrities are usually on tight schedules. Be mindful of the time they’ve allotted for the interview, and don’t waste it by asking basic or irrelevant questions. Get straight to the heart of what makes them unique.

Managing multiple interviewees: Gathering diverse perspectives 🔗

When conducting interviews with multiple people, it’s essential to manage the flow of conversation to capture diverse viewpoints without letting the discussion spiral. Group interviews often bring a dynamic that allows for a variety of opinions and insights, but it’s easy for one person to dominate or for the conversation to derail. Here’s how to keep things organized:

Techniques for interviewing multiple people 🔗

• Set clear expectations: Let your interviewees know the structure of the interview beforehand. Whether you’re doing one-on-one rounds or a group discussion, set clear guidelines to make sure everyone gets a chance to speak.
• Be a neutral facilitator: In a group interview, your role is to moderate, not dominate. Give each person equal opportunities to speak, and intervene if someone is interrupting or dominating the conversation.
• Ask open-ended questions: Open-ended questions invite longer, more detailed responses from each interviewee. This is particularly important in a group setting, where short or closed answers can shut down conversation quickly.
• Listen actively: Active listening is key when interviewing multiple people. Pay attention to the different viewpoints shared and ask follow-up questions that tie the responses together. This helps build a richer narrative from diverse perspectives.

What do you think? Have you ever had to manage an interview with multiple participants? How did you handle it?