Interview is a form of communication that generally involves questioning and answering. The interviewers ask the questions that need to be addressed by the interviewees. In case of media interview, the interviewee is generally invited as a guest in television, radio or print media (Agrawal , 2017). These days, different YouTube channels also feature interviews. The media can reach to a larger population at once that has the ability to make or break the reputation of any person. Controlling the media interview means taking the interview in our desired direction and making a point out of the conversation. Since the reporters (interviewers) of the media are well trained in taking interviews, taking control over the interview is difficult for interviewee.
However there are certain aspects that an interviewee can control. The interviewee should be careful about what and how he speaks. The selection of words and desired tone is always under the control of employee. The body language and non-verbal cues are totally under the interviewee’s control. For this, the interviewee can ask for the questions beforehand if applicable and prepare accordingly (Chilton, 2017). Similarly, researching about the media, program and targeted audience before appearing in an interview might also help in this.
The interviewee also has control over keeping the conversation to the point. There are chances that the interviewer might ask some irrelevant or out of the topic questions, the interviewee can choose not to answer those questions and remind the interviewer about the purpose of the interview. The interviewee also has control over how to present himself in the media (especially in television interviews). The interviewee should opt for suitable outfit depending on the nature of the program. Another thing that interviewee can control is accepting the mistake (Fisher, 2015). There are chances that we say something that might be offensive, undesirable or inappropriate during the time. At such times, instead of justifying the point, we can simply apologize for it and take the interview forward. The best way for an interviewee to keep the interview under control is summarizing the point at the end of the interview by emphasizing on the things he wants the audience to pay attention towards or remember.
There are certain things that the interviewee cannot control. The way the audience and interviewer can interpret the information provided has nothing to do the interviewee. There is no guarantee that the things we say mean the same to others as well. The technical and other problems that may arise during the interview like the microphone being dysfunctional and power cut are not under the interviewee’s control. The interviewee can do nothing about such interruptions in between. The media has the authority to publish or broad cast the interview on the scheduled time. So, the interviewee has no authority in adjusting the time and schedule. The questions asked in the interview are also not controllable by interviewee. Especially in case of open interview, the interviewee has no idea about the questions that will come next.
To conclude, we need to give our best in any interview so that the intended message can reach the audience. Presenting our true selves and not faking up anything is the key for effective interview.
Interview is a form of communication that generally involves questioning and answering. The interviewers ask the questions that need to be addressed by the interviewees. In case of media interview, the interviewee is generally invited as a guest in television, radio or print media (Agrawal , 2017). These days, different YouTube channels also feature interviews. The media can reach to a larger population at once that has the ability to make or break the reputation of any person. Controlling the media interview means taking the interview in our desired direction and making a point out of the conversation. Since the reporters (interviewers) of the media are well trained in taking interviews, taking control over the interview is difficult for interviewee.
However there are certain aspects that an interviewee can control. The interviewee should be careful about what and how he speaks. The selection of words and desired tone is always under the control of employee. The body language and non-verbal cues are totally under the interviewee’s control. For this, the interviewee can ask for the questions beforehand if applicable and prepare accordingly (Chilton, 2017). Similarly, researching about the media, program and targeted audience before appearing in an interview might also help in this.
The interviewee also has control over keeping the conversation to the point. There are chances that the interviewer might ask some irrelevant or out of the topic questions, the interviewee can choose not to answer those questions and remind the interviewer about the purpose of the interview. The interviewee also has control over how to present himself in the media (especially in television interviews). The interviewee should opt for suitable outfit depending on the nature of the program. Another thing that interviewee can control is accepting the mistake (Fisher, 2015). There are chances that we say something that might be offensive, undesirable or inappropriate during the time. At such times, instead of justifying the point, we can simply apologize for it and take the interview forward. The best way for an interviewee to keep the interview under control is summarizing the point at the end of the interview by emphasizing on the things he wants the audience to pay attention towards or remember.
There are certain things that the interviewee cannot control. The way the audience and interviewer can interpret the information provided has nothing to do the interviewee. There is no guarantee that the things we say mean the same to others as well. The technical and other problems that may arise during the interview like the microphone being dysfunctional and power cut are not under the interviewee’s control. The interviewee can do nothing about such interruptions in between. The media has the authority to publish or broad cast the interview on the scheduled time. So, the interviewee has no authority in adjusting the time and schedule. The questions asked in the interview are also not controllable by interviewee. Especially in case of open interview, the interviewee has no idea about the questions that will come next.
To conclude, we need to give our best in any interview so that the intended message can reach the audience. Presenting our true selves and not faking up anything is the key for effective interview.
References
Agrawal , P. (2017, April 17). Eight Tips To Rock Your Media Interviews . Retrieved from Forbes: forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescoun...
Chilton, G. (2017, February 28). 3 Ways to Handle That Media Interview Like a Pro . Retrieved from Enterpreneur: entrepreneur.com/article/289113
Fisher, A. (2015, November 17). 5 Ways to Control Media Interview . Retrieved from Media First: mediafirst.co.uk/our-thinking/5-wa...