Tips for Interviewing

Teaching engineers or computer scientists how to interview can be a difficult, but the value of having technically savy people that can speak in human terms is vital in today's hi-tech world. Actually, learning to speak to the media in a human voice can be helpful no matter what line of business your in.

Stephanie Moncada of Weber Shandwick in Minneapolis, brought these useful interviewing tips to my attention.

Interview tips:

1. Everything you say is on the record.
2. Speak in human terms, don’t use too much jargon.
3. Be clear and concise. Don’t use 10 words when you can say it in five.
4. Always tie your answers back to your key messages.
5. Use your key messages.
6. If you cannot comment, explain why.
7. If you don’t know the answer, say so. If possible, offer to track down the answer for the reporter.
8. An interview does not have the natural flow of a conversation. Once you’ve answered the question stop talking. The reporter will ask you the next question when he or she is ready.

Thanks for the useful tips Steph!