SKILLS CHECK! Back To Main Athlete's Page

What's Your IQ?* *Interview Quotient Intention: 1. To help you assess your strengths and weaknesses in media interviews. 2. To give you correct approaches and the reasoning behind them. 3. To provide specific recommendations based on your individual strengths and weaknesses pinpointed by this Skills Check result. [1] When you're asked a question, what do you do? Think about your next point. Listen carefully to the question. Wonder what the reporter's angle is. [2] If you're not certain what the journalist is asking, how do you respond?  Change the subject.  Try to answer it anyway.  Ask him/her to repeat the question. [3] When asked a controversial question, how do you answer? Give a long, detailed answer explaining your side of the issue. Give a short, direct answer in 20 seconds or less. [4] When asked a very specific question about your sport, how do you answer? Simplify your answer using language anyone could understand. Use technical terms so you'll sound knowledgeable. Answer with an automatic, worn out answer. [5] A reporter asks a question that contains inaccurate information. What do you do? Point out the mistake and refuse to answer the question. Assume that the reporter has researched your program and is asking what the public already thinks. Calmly correct the mistake, then answer the question the best you can. [6] The interviewer asks you a question that makes your program look bad. How do you react? Say why you can't or won't answer, then "bridge" to what you want to talk about. Say: "No comment." Ignore the question and change the subject. [7] After answering a question, you realize you made a mistake. What now? Admit your mistake and correct it immediately. Change the subject and hope they don't notice. Deny your mistake and blame the interviewer. [8] When preparing for an interview, what do you do? Rely on the reporter to set the agenda and tone for the story. Decide what you want to say, anticipating questions and planning answers in advance. Hope the reporter won't ask hard questions.