This information is adapted from:
Robert P. Inkster and Judith M. Kilborn's The Writing of Business. Boston: Allyn Bacon, 1999. 476-480.

• The interview will waste his/her time.
• The interview has a hidden agenda.
• The interview information will be misused or misrepresented.

• Try to frame the interview's purpose in ways that show how you will both benefit. For example, let the person know that you are attempting to understand the lives and choices of women who have very different lives and choices from yours. Let her know you need and will value the input the interview will provide.
• Be very honest about your project, what you are doing, who will read the paper. Be sure to suggest that your understanding is provisional, and that's why you want and need the interviewee's help.
• Offer the interviewee a chance to read some of the questions before the interview (just let her know that you how some questions will grow out of the conversation in the interview itself).
• Let the interviewee know s/he can read (and comment) on your final draft of the interview before you share it with a larger group.
• Use a tape recorder so you have a good record of what was said. (If you need a tape recorder, let’s try to pool resources in the class.)
• Lay out the ways in which you will respect this person's confidentiality, if that is an issue: safeguard or destroy the tape, use a pseudonym, etc.

Decide upon your goals for the interview.

• What do you need and want to know?
• What are the key issues?
• What questions will get you the info you need?

By telephone or via e-mail contact the interviewee. "Express clearly, specifically and convincingly what your intentions are," making sure the interviewee knows you are aware this is a potentially intrusive request. Do your best to address any potential concerns. Let the person know you are asking up to 60 minutes of her time. Be clear about what you will and will not do with the information revealed in the interview.

If your interviewee agrees to the interview, treat your request as a promise:

• Take no more time than you initially suggest.
• If you send the questions in advance, stick to those, asking follow-ups for clarification and elaboration. If you feel the need to ask questions not agreed upon, ask if it's okay.
• If you agree to keep the person's identity anonymous, please don't reveal it, even to me. (Use a pseudonym when you write up your interview.)
• If the person agrees to the interview, thank her and schedule a time. DON'T be late! If you must miss the appointment, call as soon as you know and reschedule.
• If the person cannot agree to the interview, assure her you understand and thank her for the time you've taken.

The most important points are about etiquette and ethos (ethos is how you present yourself).

• Arrive on time.
• Dress appropriately—casually but neatly.
• Have all materials you need: paper, pens, questions, tape recorder (with an extra tape and batteries).
• Introduce yourself, shake hands.
• Explain the project, ask for permission to tape record.
• Treat the interview as a conversation, but try to keep the interviewee on topic. Ask questions that let the interviewee talk freely. Feel free to follow-up, gently and politely, if your question is not answered.

Again, you still have some duties following the interview, the most important of which are about etiquette and ethos (ethos is how you present yourself).

• End on time or politely ask if the person can extend the time slightly.
• As you leave, thank the person for her time.
• Ask the interviewee if she would like to see a copy of this work or know more about the results of your project. If so, set up a time to do that and follow through.
• Go home and write a thank-you note. Even if you are interviewing your own mom! It will convince her she did a good job.

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