Real Communication An Introduction

508 Appendix A   Competent Interviewing

c Phrase questions positively and remain civil (Ben-Porath, 2010). For example,

asking “Have you voted in campus student government elections?” is clear

and objective; using negative phrasing (“You haven’t ever voted in the campus

student government elections, have you?”) can be confusing and, in some

cases, may be unethical and biased (Doris, 1991).

Speaking of ethics, competent interviewers should use questions that are

straightforward and avoid hidden agendas. Directed questions suggest or imply

an answer. If the direction is subtle (“Wouldn’t it be so much fun if we all got

NAME: Cynthia Guadalupe Inda

OCCUPATION: Trial attorney

When I mention that

I’m a lawyer, many

people are surprised

to learn that I spend a

great deal of time interviewing people. In fact, I

like to think of my job as asking questions and

culling information in ways similar to talk show

hosts, counselors, and reporters. But before I

confuse you, allow me to explain these aspects

of my career.

When I was with a district attorney’s office

for a number of years, my biggest challenge

was interviewing many witnesses for the dozens

of cases I was assigned in a limited amount of

time. In order to do my job effectively, I needed

to interview all the witnesses quickly and

efficiently—but not make them feel rushed.

The talk show host aspect of my job is put-

ting people at ease during an interview. People

are often intimidated by lawyers, so I look people

in the eye, smile, and try to be as down-to-earth

as possible. (I think I’m this way in real life, so I

just have to remember to treat my interviewees

as I would my friends and family.) When deal-

ing with Spanish-speaking witnesses, I always

conduct interviews in Spanish. This helps to put

people at ease because the law doesn’t seem as

terrifying in one’s own language.

The counselor aspect of my job is hav-

ing empathy for people’s situations. I often tell

people who are afraid to bring charges or get

involved in any way that I understand their fear

and reticence. I’ll say something like, “I know that

there are other things you’d rather be doing; just

tell the judge exactly what you are telling me.” If

an interviewee is very upset, I’ll often switch the

subject away from the task at hand; I get them

talking about themselves instead of the law. They

usually relax and it makes it easier to get back to

the interview questions.

The reporter aspect of my job is in culling

information from my interviewees to focus on

what is essential to the case. Preparation really

matters here. When I have witnesses on the

stand, my questions are targeted toward the

achievement of a goal. I ask open-ended ques-

tions, but I also have a series of background and

clarifying questions to help make my point. When

I’m cross-examining a witness, however, my

questions are much more closed: I try to ask only

questions that call for “yes” or “no” responses.

The facts established by the “yes” or “no”

answers I’m searching for give less credibility to

the opposition’s case.

Effective interviewing skills are crucial to my

professional success and the well-being of my

clients. Interviewing is not all work—I have fun

getting to know people and helping them achieve

justice.

real communicator

Have you ever been asked

unethical, biased, or uncivil

questions? Did you ever,

knowingly or unknowingly,

use these types of questions

yourself? How can you deal

with questions like these if

you find yourself in that

uncomfortable position?

AND YOU?

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