INTERVIEW TIPS FOR CANDIDATES

• PORTRAYING THE RIGHT IMAGE

In order to maintain credibility, the candidate needs to look and sound like he or she is comfortable and in control.  This is why it is so important that the candidate avoid nervous behavior, such as using filler words and phrases and uncomfortable body language during the interview.  When a candidate crosses his or her arms or fiddles around with their fingers, whatever the case may be; it gives off the impression that the candidate is insecure.  This is never a good image to portray.  It helps if the candidate “talks with their hands.”  This helps to emphasize what they are saying which makes them look more comfortable, makes those watching feel more comfortable, and gives them something to do with their hands that benefits their body language.   Also, the candidate should always speak in a clear, firm voice, and look directly at the reporter.

• SIMMER DOWN NOW

A candidate should never do an interview or speak when he or she is angry.  When a person is angry, they tend to say things that they wouldn’t otherwise say.  This doesn’t mean the candidate shouldn’t speak from the heart.  When a candidate speaks passionately about an issue, the voter takes him or her more seriously.  However, a candidate doesn’t have to be angry in order to speak passionately.  It is always best to calm down first and then do the interview.

“A word once let out of the cage cannot be whistled back again.” – Horace

• THINK ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT

If the interview is going to be viewed by the voters, the candidate should request to choose where the interview is going to take place.  He or she should keep in mind his or her environment during the interview.  It’s important to think about the background that will be seen by the viewers.  Candidates should pick a backdrop that could potentially further the message that the candidate is trying to get across.

• KNOW THE SUBJECT MATTER

The candidate should know everything that there is to know about the subject matter to be talked about during the interview.  They should have a list of talking points in their heads about what they want to get across in the interview.  It helps to practice answering questions with family members and campaign supporters before it is actually time to do the interview.  However, the candidate shouldn’t sound rehearsed – just concise and to the point.  It’s better for the candidate if the reporter doesn’t have to think too hard about what the candidate was saying.

• SPEAK TO THE VOTER

The reporter may be the one asking the questions, but the voter is the one that will be reading and/or hearing what the candidate is saying.  During the interview, the candidate should speak towards their base and to swing voters, not toward the reporter.

• BE POSITIVE

The candidate should frame everything he or she says in a positive light.  Reporters will look for controversy in the candidate’s statements, so it’s important for the candidate to steer clear of being dramatic and/or negative in his or her statements.

• DON’T ANSWER WHAT ISN’T ASKED OF YOU

The candidate should refrain from answering questions that aren’t asked of them.  Candidates often hear one question when another is asked.  This is especially true of new, inexperienced candidates.  Many times candidates will continue to talk on and on and fall victim to a little thing I like to call, “word vomit.”  This can get a candidate into trouble.  Candidates should keep their answers short and to the point.  Most importantly, they should stay on message and not let the reporter pull them off of that message.

• “OFF THE RECORD, SCHMOFF THE RECORD”

Candidates should avoid going “off the record.”  At the end of the day, a reporter is a reporter, and his or her well being depends upon the quality of the story they produce.  If the candidate says something while “off the record” that would make the story a much better sell, don’t be surprised if it’s a headline the next day.