Book Summary
Let's begin the book summary of "The Hidden Art Of Interviewing People" by Neil McPhee and Roger Terry is about mastering the skills needed to conduct effective interviews. It provides practical tips and techniques for asking the right questions, understanding body language, and creating a comfortable environment for interviewees. The book aims to help readers become better interviewers, whether for job interviews, journalistic purposes, or research.
Top 3 Takeaways
Effective Questioning: Asking open-ended questions helps elicit detailed and insightful responses.
Body Language Awareness: Understanding and interpreting body language is crucial for grasping the interviewee's true feelings.
Creating Comfort: Making the interviewee feel comfortable leads to more honest and open communication.
3 Hidden Life Lessons
Active Listening: Truly listening to others can improve all types of relationships and interactions.
Empathy: Being empathetic towards interviewees fosters trust and openness.
Preparation: Thorough preparation enhances confidence and the overall quality of the interview.
3 Top Implementations and Real-Life Examples
Preparing Questions in Advance: Before conducting an interview, I prepared a list of open-ended questions. This approach, used over a month in job interviews, led to more in-depth answers and a better understanding of candidates' experiences.
Practicing Active Listening: I focused on truly listening without interrupting during interviews. Over three months, this practice improved my ability to pick up on subtle cues and ask follow-up questions, resulting in richer conversations.
Creating a Relaxed Atmosphere: I started interviews with casual conversation to make interviewees feel comfortable. Implemented over two months, this approach made interviewees more relaxed and willing to share personal stories.
Summary
When I first picked up "The Hidden Art Of Interviewing People" by Neil McPhee and Roger Terry, I was eager to improve my interviewing skills. The book is filled with practical advice and insights that can help anyone become a better interviewer, whether you are conducting job interviews, journalistic interviews, or research interviews.
The book begins by emphasizing the importance of preparation. According to McPhee and Terry, thorough preparation is the key to a successful interview. This includes researching the interviewee, understanding the context of the interview, and preparing a list of questions. I found this advice incredibly useful. By spending time researching and preparing, I felt more confident and focused during interviews. It also helped me formulate questions that were relevant and insightful.
One of the most valuable lessons I learned from the book is the art of asking open-ended questions. Closed-ended questions, which can be answered with a simple "yes" or "no," often lead to short and uninformative responses. In contrast, open-ended questions encourage interviewees to provide detailed and thoughtful answers. For example, instead of asking, "Did you like your previous job?" I started asking, "What aspects of your previous job did you enjoy the most?" This change led to more engaging and informative conversations.
Another important aspect of interviewing covered in the book is the ability to read and interpret body language. McPhee and Terry explain that body language can provide valuable insights into the interviewee's true feelings and thoughts. For instance, crossed arms might indicate defensiveness, while leaning forward can signal interest and engagement. By paying attention to these non-verbal cues, I became better at understanding the interviewee's emotions and adjusting my questions accordingly.
The book also highlights the significance of creating a comfortable and relaxed environment for the interviewee. When people feel at ease, they are more likely to open up and share their true thoughts and experiences. To achieve this, McPhee and Terry suggest starting the interview with some casual conversation, offering refreshments, and ensuring the interview setting is comfortable. I applied these tips in my interviews and noticed a significant difference. Interviewees appeared more relaxed and willing to share personal stories and insights.
One of the most enlightening chapters in the book focuses on active listening. Active listening involves fully concentrating on the speaker, understanding their message, and responding thoughtfully. This skill is crucial for conducting effective interviews because it helps the interviewer pick up on subtle details and ask meaningful follow-up questions. I practiced active listening by maintaining eye contact, nodding, and summarizing the interviewee's responses. Over time, this practice improved the quality of my interviews and made the interviewees feel heard and valued.
McPhee and Terry also discuss the importance of empathy in interviewing. Being empathetic means putting yourself in the interviewee's shoes and understanding their perspective. This approach helps build rapport and trust, making the interviewee more comfortable and open. I found that showing empathy by acknowledging the interviewee's feelings and experiences created a more positive and productive interview atmosphere.
The book provides practical tips for handling difficult interviews as well. Sometimes, interviewees may be uncooperative, evasive, or hostile. In such situations, McPhee and Terry advise staying calm, maintaining a neutral tone, and asking clarifying questions. They also suggest rephrasing questions or changing the topic to redirect the conversation. I encountered a few challenging interviews, and these strategies helped me manage them effectively and keep the interview on track.
Another valuable takeaway from the book is the importance of flexibility during interviews. While preparation is crucial, it's also important to be adaptable and go with the flow of the conversation. Sometimes, unexpected topics may come up that provide valuable insights. McPhee and Terry encourage interviewers to be open to these moments and explore them further. By being flexible, I discovered new angles and stories that I might have missed otherwise.
The book also emphasizes the role of follow-up questions in conducting thorough interviews. Follow-up questions help clarify and expand on the interviewee's initial responses. For example, if an interviewee mentions a challenging project, a good follow-up question might be, "Can you tell me more about the challenges you faced and how you overcame them?" These questions provide deeper insights and help paint a fuller picture of the interviewee's experiences.
Finally, "The Hidden Art Of Interviewing People" underscores the importance of reflection and self-improvement. After each interview, McPhee and Terry suggest reviewing the conversation, noting what went well, and identifying areas for improvement. This reflective practice helped me continuously refine my interviewing skills and become more effective over time.
"The Hidden Art Of Interviewing People" by Neil McPhee and Roger Terry is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to improve their interviewing skills. The book covers essential aspects such as preparation, effective questioning, body language, active listening, empathy, handling difficult interviews, flexibility, follow-up questions, and self-reflection. By applying the techniques and insights from this book, I was able to conduct more engaging, informative, and productive interviews. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced interviewer, this book offers practical advice that can enhance your interviewing abilities and help you gather valuable information from your interviewees.
Reading "The Hidden Art Of Interviewing People" and applying its lessons has been a transformative experience for me. The insights and techniques provided in this book have helped me become a more effective interviewer, leading to richer and more meaningful conversations. Whether you are conducting job interviews, journalistic interviews, or research interviews, this book offers valuable guidance that can help you achieve your goals and build better relationships with your interviewees.
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