Interview Project Part 3: Interview Plan

Sample Interview Plan

Your interview should follow this sample format, however, you will create your own topics and questions.

Student’s Name COMM 1010 section # Instructor’s Name February 15, 2015

Interview Plan Draft Dress Since the interview will take place in a professional office, I plan on wearing a nice pair of slacks and a matching jacket, a white button-down shirt with a collar, and a pair of black shoes. Opening Hi (smile and handshake). Thanks for making time to let me interview you. You have a very nice computer setup here. Orientation As I mentioned on the phone, I’m doing this interview for my communication class. I want to find out more about the work you’re doing. I have three topics I’d like to ask you about this morning: some facts about the business, what your working schedule is like, and how this job affects your life. As I mentioned on the phone, the interview will be less than 30 minutes. At the end I will also ask you to fill out a short evaluation on my performance as an interviewer. You said it would be alright if I taped this interview so I don’t miss anything. May I set up my recorder here? Do you have any questions before we start? Body Facts about the Business (choose your own topics)

1. Why did you choose to trade stocks over the Internet for your career? (primary, open).

2. How did you get started in this profession? (Primary, Open).

• How much money did it take to get started? (Secondary, Closed) • Would you recommend getting started in this way? (Secondary, Bipolar)

3. What skills and education are most important for trading stocks over the Internet? (Primary, Open)

• How did you acquire those skills and education? (Secondary, Open)

4. What advice would you give to someone interested in trading stock over the Internet? (Primary, Open)

• What professional associations and publications are important? (Secondary, Open)

5. What related fields could you easily enter if you wanted to change jobs? (Secondary, Open)

Working Schedule

1. What do you do during an average day of work? (Primary, Open) 2. How flexible is your schedule? (Primary, Closed)

• What do you need to consider if you want to take time off? (Secondary, Open)

3. I understand you have a four-year-old son at home whom you care for. How does

working at home affect your relationship with him? (Primary, Open) Effects on Your Personal Life

1. What do you like most about your job? (Primary, Open) • What do you like least about your job? (Secondary, Open)

2. Can a person make a consistent living with this career? (Primary, Bipolar)

• What does it take to make the kind of income so your wife does not have to work? (Secondary, Open)

Clearinghouse Question

1. Is there anything I haven’t asked about that you think I should know? (Primary, Bipolar)

2. Is there anyone else you would recommend I speak to about this career? (Primary,

Bipolar) Closing

1. Would you please fill out this evaluation on my performance as an interviewer? Your evaluation will not affect my grade but your honest feedback will help me improve my interviewing skills. I’ll wait.

2. Could I get your card? (or business address if business card is not available) 3. The last thing I need is a photo of us together as evidence I did the interview. 4. Thank you for your time. I have really learned a lot. 5. (Handshake) Good bye.

Now head to the lobby or your car as fast as you can and write down the fuller answers to your interview question while they are fresh on your mind. If you wait until you get home, most of the information will be lost. Even if you recorded the interview, don’t risk having a technical glitch and losing the data without any paper copy back up.