An interview plan is a schedule of how your interview will go. Creating a plan is critical for having a successful interview.

Your plan should cover the following areas:

1. What you plan to wear
2. Opening
3. Orientation
4. Body
5. Closing

In the what you plan to wear section, describe what you plan to wear to make a positive first impression and why you choose to wear it. How is your dress appropriate for the culture of the company?

The opening section clarifies word-for-word how you will greet and prepare the interviewee for the interview.

• Express your appreciation for his/her willingness to help you and shake his/her hand.
• In the orientation section, let the interviewee know what to expect in the interview.
• Remind them the interview is 30 minutes.
• Let them know you will save time at the end of the interview for them to fill out an evaluation form about the interview.
• Preview the topics you’ll be asking him/her about.
• Get permission to use a tape recorder (if applicable).
• Ask if he/she has any questions before you begin. 

The body section has the topics as headings and interview questions under each heading.

•  Designate each question as either primary (opening a new topic) or secondary (follow-up on a topic)
• Designate each question either open, closed, or clearinghouse
• Possible topics:

  Likes and dislikes about his/her profession
  Types of training and education he/she would recommend to prepare for this profession
  Prospects for future employment in the profession
  Effects of job on personal life
  Advice he/she would add

In the closing section:

• Thank the interviewee for his/her time.
• Invite them the fill out the Evaluation. Read the instructions with them, assuring them their answers will not affect your grade. Wait while he/she fills it out. Add details to the notes you took of the interview while you are waiting.
•  Ask for a business card or address so you can send a thank you letter
• Take a photo of you and the interviewee to document you were there

Your interview should follow this

example

Actions

, however, you will create your own topics and questions.

SampleInterview Plan

Your interview should follow this sample format, however, you will create your own
topics and questions.

Student’s Name
COMM 1010 section #
Instructor’s Name
February 15, 2015

Interview Plan Draft

Dress
Since the interview will take place in a professional office, I plan on wearing a nice pair
of slacks and a matching jacket, a white button-down shirt with a collar, and a pair of
black shoes.

Opening
Hi (smile and handshake). Thanks for making time to let me interview you. You have a
very nice computer setup here.

Orientation
As I mentioned on the phone, I’m doing this interview for my communication class. I
want to find out more about the work you’re doing.

I have three topics I’d like to ask you about this morning: some facts about the business,
what your working schedule is like, and how this job affects your life. As I mentioned on
the phone, the interview will be less than 30 minutes.

At the end I will also ask you to fill out a short evaluation on my performance as an
interviewer.

You said it would be alright if I taped this interview so I don’t miss anything. May I set
up my recorder here?

Do you have any questions before we start?

Body

Facts about the Business (choose your own topics)

1. Why did you choose to trade stocks over the Internet for your career? (primary,
open).

2. How did you get started in this profession? (Primary, Open).

• How much money did it take to get started? (Secondary, Closed)
• Would you recommend getting started in this way? (Secondary, Bipolar)

3. What skills and education are most important for trading stocks over the Internet?
(Primary, Open)

• How did you acquire those skills and education? (Secondary, Open)

4. What advice would you give to someone interested in trading stock over the
Internet? (Primary, Open)

• What professional associations and publications are important?
(Secondary, Open)

5. What related fields could you easily enter if you wanted to change jobs?
(Secondary, Open)

Working Schedule

1. What do you do during an average day of work? (Primary, Open)

2. How flexible is your schedule? (Primary, Closed)

• What do you need to consider if you want to take time off? (Secondary,
Open)

3. I understand you have a four-year-old son at home whom you care for. How does

working at home affect your relationship with him? (Primary, Open)

Effects on Your Personal Life

1. What do you like most about your job? (Primary, Open)
• What do you like least about your job? (Secondary, Open)

2. Can a person make a consistent living with this career? (Primary, Bipolar)

• What does it take to make the kind of income so your wife does not have
to work? (Secondary, Open)

Clearinghouse Question

1. Is there anything I haven’t asked about that you think I should know? (Primary,
Bipolar)

2. Is there anyone else you would recommend I speak to about this career? (Primary,

Bipolar)

Closing

1. Would you please fill out this evaluation on my performance as an interviewer?
Your evaluation will not affect my grade but your honest feedback will help me
improve my interviewing skills. I’ll wait.

2. Could I get your card? (or business address if business card is not available)
3. The last thing I need is a photo of us together as evidence I did the interview.
4. Thank you for your time. I have really learned a lot.
5. (Handshake) Good bye.

Now head to the lobby or your car as fast as you can and write down the fuller answers
to your interview question while they are fresh on your mind. If you wait until you get
home, most of the information will be lost. Even if you recorded the interview, don’t
risk having a technical glitch and losing the data without any paper copy back up.