The one question you should ALWAYS ask during an interview

As a freelance copywriter specializing in health care, clients often ask me to present complex information to a general reading audience. “How soy isoflavones help cancer patients better tolerate chemotherapy,” is one example. It’s my job to tackle a topic like this and write a story that will a) engage general readers and b) allow them to understand the subject, even if they didn’t attend medical school.

Heck, I didn’t attend medical school, either. But this gives me an advantage – I’m in the same boat as my readers. I get to ask the physician the same questions they would ask.

Before contacting the doctor for an interview, I’ll place myself in the readers’ shoes and figure out what they would want to know. I often base my questions on the “who, what, when, where, why and how” journalism standbys, then add others based on the background information I’ve already studied. During the interview, I’ll modify my questions based on the answers provided.

This method works great for getting info about any subject. But there’s one question I always add near the end every interview, no matter how simple or complex the topic. I learned this helpful tip years ago from a seasoned journalist when I worked at the Detroit News. It’s a simple query, but one I highly recommend you include in every interview:

“Is there anything else you’d like to add or anything I’ve forgotten to ask?”

Asking this does one of two things: it either validates the thoroughness of the interview, or it gives you additional information that can sometimes change the complexion of the entire story.

If you ask this question and get the response, “No, I think we’ve covered the subject thoroughly,” then you know you’ve conducted a solid interview. But since you can never really get inside the head of the person you’re interviewing, it always helps to ask if you’ve missed something. And there will be times when you obtain additional information that can make a good story even better.

Your interview subjects will also appreciate the chance to answer this question. It’s a sign of consideration on your part as an interviewer. More often than not, the person interviewed will provide colorful quotes you can weave into your story or take you down an alternate path that will add greater dimension to your piece.

Try adding this question to your interview repertoire, and let me know how it works out. What other advice do you have for conducting a great interview?

About the Author: Jeff Samoray is an award-winning copywriter and editor who specializes in health care and medical writing. Follow Jeff on Twitter and visit his website to learn more about his writing, editing and creative consulting services.