interview assignment

INTERVIEW GUIDELINE

1. I.               Introduction to the assignment:

Each student will be expected to schedule an appointment with a senior citizen (age > 60) to conduct an in-person interview during the fall semester. It should be an in-depth interview, which will give you a comprehensive understanding about an older individual.

1. II.             Purpose:

The purpose of the interview is to help you gather relevant information about a potential client and his/her needs and preferences related to leisure/recreation services.

1. III.           Procedure

• Select an individual or agency that may offer opportunity for you to complete this assignment.  Then, contact the person or a representative of the agency to make appointment and secure permission for you to conduct an interview.

• Prepare an extensive list of questions (i.e. a questionnaire) that corresponds to the information required by the assignments.

• Visit your “client” to gather all of the written or verbal information you need for the assignment.

• After the interview, send a brief thank-note to the client or the representative who facilitates your interview.

1. IV.           Document of interview (2 pages)

1. Information about interview on cover page

Your name

Class

Date of interview

Location/agency for interview

2. Information about interviewee:

a). Background information

Age

Gender

Education background

Ethnicity

Previous occupation

Household income (or pension)

Place of birth

Marital status

Children/Grandchildren

b). Describe clients’ conditions with information gathered through questions and observation.

Targeting areas may include but not limited to:

Physical

Flexibility

Locomotion

Endurance

Balance

Social

Cooperation

Conversation

Eye-contact

Psychological/emotional

Enthusiasm

Agitation

Careless

Nervous 

Cognitive

 Alert

Attention span

Orientation

Memory

Leisure domain

Travel

Sports

Outdoor

Aquatic activities

Gardening

Art and craft…

Cooking

Online games

Reading

Secondary leisure activities

Other   __________

c). Write a summary and recommendation of recreation intervention for the interviewed client

V. A few tips will help you to success:

• Make an appointment with a representative of the agency to secure permission to conduct the interview and call to confirm it before your visit.
• Greet your client with a handshake or smile before you start the interview.
• Talk about the weather or something nice to “break the ice”
• Initiate the conversation by briefly introducing yourself to the client first.
• During the interview, use body language such as nodding to encourage talk or use other communication techniques to alter topic in order to keep client in the track.
• After the interview, send a thank you card to express your gratitude.