# Interview Prep > Prepare for journalism interviews with research checklists, question frameworks, and attribution guidelines. Use when preparing to interview sources, planning follow-up questions, or managing interview logistics. Covers consent, recording laws, and professional protocols. Use when this capability is needed. - Skill: `tomevault-io/interview-prep` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/interview-prep` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/interview-prep/raw - Safety review: pending - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Research & Search - Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io) - Updated: 2026-09-17 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/interview-prep --- # Interview preparation Interviews fail in the preparation, not the conversation. This skill covers pre-interview research, question design, logistics, and follow-up. ## When to use - Preparing to interview a source - Developing question frameworks for recurring interview types - Managing interview logistics and consent - Planning follow-up after initial interviews - Training new reporters on interview technique ## Pre-interview research checklist ### Background research ```markdown ## Source background check ### Public records - [ ] Professional licenses verified - [ ] Court records checked (civil/criminal) - [ ] Business registrations confirmed - [ ] Property records (if relevant) - [ ] Campaign finance (if political figure) - [ ] SEC filings (if corporate) ### Professional background - [ ] LinkedIn profile reviewed - [ ] Current employer confirmed - [ ] Previous employers noted - [ ] Published work reviewed - [ ] Conference appearances checked - [ ] Professional associations ### Social media audit - [ ] All platforms identified (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.) - [ ] Post history reviewed - [ ] Connections/followers analyzed - [ ] Previous statements on topic found - [ ] Any deleted content recovered? ### Media appearances - [ ] Previous interviews found - [ ] Statements consistent with current position? - [ ] Other journalists' assessments - [ ] Any retractions or corrections involving them? ``` ### Context research ```markdown ## Topic preparation ### Essential knowledge - [ ] Key facts about the topic confirmed - [ ] Timeline of events established - [ ] Other stakeholders identified - [ ] Conflicting accounts noted - [ ] Documents/data reviewed ### What to know before you dial - [ ] How do they fit into the story? - [ ] What do I NEED from this interview? - [ ] What might they be reluctant to discuss? - [ ] What have they said publicly before? ``` ## Question framework ### The essential questions Every interview should be built to answer: 1. **What happened?** (Facts) 2. **Why did it happen?** (Causes) 3. **What did you do/decide/see?** (Actions) 4. **What does it mean?** (Significance) 5. **What's next?** (Implications) ### Question types | Type | Purpose | Example | |------|---------|---------| | **Open-ended** | Get the full story | "Walk me through what happened that day." | | **Clarifying** | Pin down details | "When you say 'soon after,' do you mean minutes or hours?" | | **Probing** | Go deeper | "Why do you think that happened?" | | **Follow-up** | Catch inconsistencies | "Earlier you said X, but now you mentioned Y. Help me understand." | | **Confrontational** | Challenge statements | "Documents show [fact]. How do you respond?" | | **Closing** | Ensure completeness | "Is there anything I didn't ask that you think I should know?" | ### Question templates by interview type **Profile interview:** ```markdown 1. Background: "Tell me about where you grew up / how you got started." 2. Turning point: "When did you realize [X] was your path?" 3. Challenge: "What was the hardest moment in [period]?" 4. Values: "What principle guides your work?" 5. Future: "What are you working on next?" ``` **Investigative interview:** ```markdown 1. Establish rapport: Non-threatening background questions first 2. Timeline: "Walk me through [event] from the beginning." 3. Details: "Who else was there? What did you see/hear?" 4. Documentation: "Do you have any records of this?" 5. Corroboration: "Who else can confirm this?" 6. Response: "What did [other party] say when you raised this?" ``` **Expert/explainer interview:** ```markdown 1. Credentials: "What's your expertise in this area?" 2. Plain language: "Explain [concept] as if I'm not a specialist." 3. Context: "How common/unusual is [situation]?" 4. Significance: "Why does this matter?" 5. Sources: "Where can I learn more? Who else should I talk to?" ``` **Victim/sensitive interview:** ```markdown 1. Control: "Take your time. You can stop at any point." 2. Open: "Tell me what you're comfortable sharing." 3. Specific: "Can you describe [specific detail]?" 4. Impact: "How has this affected you?" 5. Agency: "What do you want people to understand?" 6. Check-in: "Are you okay to continue?" ``` ## Recording and consent ### Recording laws by state type **One-party consent states:** You can record without telling the other person (but you should tell them anyway for ethical reasons). **Two-party/all-party consent states:** All parties must consent. These include: California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Washington. **Always do:** - State clearly at the start: "I'm recording this interview. Is that okay?" - Get affirmative consent on the recording itself - Note the consent in your notes ### Consent template ```markdown ## Recording consent Date: [date] Interviewer: [your name] Subject: [their name] Medium: [phone/video/in-person] [At start of recording:] "This is [your name] with [publication], interviewing [their name] on [date]. I'm recording this conversation. Do I have your permission to record?" [Their response: yes/no] "And you understand this may be used for publication?" [Their response: yes/no] ``` ## Attribution guidelines ### On the record (default) - Everything can be published with full name and title - This is the standard expectation unless otherwise agreed ### On background - Information can be used, but source not identified by name - Agree on description: "a senior official," "someone familiar with the matter" - Confirm exact wording before interview ends ### Deep background - Information can guide reporting but cannot be attributed at all - Verify independently before publishing - Rarely appropriate—push for at least background ### Off the record - Information is for your knowledge only - Cannot be published or used to seek confirmation elsewhere - Agree to this BEFORE they share information, not after - If they say something on the record then try to take it off, you can refuse ### Clarifying attribution ```markdown Before starting: "Just to be clear on attribution—are we on the record?" If they request otherwise: "I'd prefer on the record. What concerns you about that?" If they insist: "Okay, we'll go on background. What description can I use?" Document it: "So I can refer to you as [agreed description]—is that right?" ``` ## Interview logistics ### Scheduling template ```markdown ## Interview request To: [source name] Subject: Interview request - [topic] - [publication] [Name], I'm a [title] at [publication] working on a story about [brief, honest description]. I'd like to speak with you because [why they're relevant]. The interview would take approximately [realistic time estimate]. Are you available [specific days/times]? I can do phone, video, or in-person—whatever works best for you. Please let me know if you have questions about the story. [Your name] [Contact info] ``` ### Pre-interview checklist ```markdown ## Day-of checklist ### Equipment - [ ] Primary recorder charged/working - [ ] Backup recorder ready - [ ] Notebook and pens - [ ] Printed questions/documents - [ ] Business cards ### Logistics - [ ] Location confirmed - [ ] Contact's phone number for day-of - [ ] Tested video/phone connection - [ ] Quiet space secured ### Preparation - [ ] Questions reviewed and prioritized - [ ] Documents to reference ready - [ ] Timeline of facts clear in mind - [ ] Backup questions if interview goes short ``` ## During the interview ### Opening - Small talk to build rapport (brief) - Confirm time available - State recording and get consent - Start with easy, open questions ### Active listening - Let them finish sentences - Use silence—don't fill every pause - Take notes even if recording - Note non-verbal cues separately ### Real-time verification - Ask for specifics: dates, names, locations - Request documentation during interview - Ask "How do you know that?" - Note inconsistencies for follow-up ### Closing - "Is there anything I didn't ask that I should have?" - "Who else should I talk to?" - "Can I follow up if I have more questions?" - Thank them for their time ## Follow-up protocols ### Immediate (same day) - [ ] Back up recording - [ ] Transcribe key quotes while fresh - [ ] Note observations not on recording - [ ] Send thank-you if appropriate ### Within 48 hours - [ ] Full transcription or detailed notes - [ ] Fact-check claims against available records - [ ] Identify gaps requiring follow-up - [ ] Add source to contacts database ### Before publication - [ ] Verify quotes are accurate - [ ] Confirm attribution terms - [ ] Offer to read back quotes if promised - [ ] Give chance to respond to characterizations (if newsworthy) ## Difficult situations ### They want to go off the record mid-interview "Before I agree to that, let me hear what you want to tell me, and then we can discuss how to handle it." ### They refuse to answer "I understand you can't discuss that. Can you point me to someone who can?" ### They're hostile Stay calm. Keep questions factual. "I'm just trying to understand what happened." ### They're crying/emotional Pause. "Take your time. We can stop whenever you need." ### They lie Don't accuse. Present contradicting evidence: "Documents show [X]. Can you help me understand the discrepancy?" --- *Good interviews require good preparation. The conversation is the easy part.* --- > Converted and distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io/claim/jamditis) — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.