Key Concepts: Chapter 4

Structuring the interview

Comprehension of the following key concepts is important to your progress toward content mastery. The definitions provided here, along with additional examples, can be found in the text, Interviewing Principles and Practices, by Stewart and Cash. Consider these terms and how their definitions match your current conceptions of these ideas.

Consider reviewing the Cash-Stewart Interviewing model here

Also consider the Flash version of this content.

The Opening:

The primary function of the opening is to motivate both parties to participate willingly and to communicate freely and accurately. Most opening follow a two-step process establishing orientation and rapport.





Rapport:
Refers to a process of maintaining or establishing the relationship between interviewee and interviewer by creating feelings of goodwill and trust.


Orientation:
a portion of the opening devoted to explaining the purpose, length, and nature of the interview.


Common opening techniques:
State the purpose, summarize the problem, explain how the problem was discovered, mention an incentive or reward for participation, request advice or assistance, refer to the known position of the interviewee, refer to the person who sent you to the interviewee, refer to the organization you represent, request a specific amount of time, ask a question.



The Body:

A series of topics or questions depending on the situation known as the interview schedule.



The interview guide:
a carefully structured outline of topics and subtopics to be covered during an interview.


Interview schedules:
A term used to describe a more precisely prepared guide directing the interview. Interview schedules range from "nonscheduled", moderately scheduled, highly scheduled, to highly scheduled standardized.



The closing:

describes the means used to signal the termination of the interview but not the relationship, express supportiveness to enhance the relationship and summmarize the interview.



Closing techniques:
Offer to answer questions, use clearinghouse questions, declare the completion of your purpose, make personal inquiries, make professional inquiries, signal that time is up, explain the reason for the closing, express appreciation or satisfaction, arrange for the next meeting, and/or summarize the interview.



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Materials are borrowed from Interviewing Principles and Practices, by Stewart and Cash.


Developed by David Bodary, Comments and Suggestions
Last modified: December 26, 2000