The Art of Interview - Masterclass

When you’ve spent years and years practicing what you come to call your job – and passion when part of the lucky few -, the ins and outs of it become second nature and you don’t really give them much thought. Decades pass and you just go through the motion. Then an acquaintance, a friend, your child, asks a question that leaves you pondering, trying to put in words something that’s always seemed so obvious to you. These questions make us take a walk down memory lane and take a moment to measure our journey. Sometimes, they even help us realize how and why we ended up where we are in the first place.

In my case, there’s nothing that screamed out “reminiscing” more than a – virtual – classroom filled with young journalists I helped prepare their first professional interview over the span of one full week. This was a few days ago and I can say without a doubt that it was one of the most enriching experiences I lived this year.

Sharing one’s knowledge, From guidance and motivation to the small anecdotes and tips you wished you knew when you had just started; it might sound like nothing but work, but it brings immeasurable joy and gives back in a way very few things do. At the end of it all, you’ve even learned a few things yourself.

You also can’t help but notice how different things were when you were just starting off your career: no Internet to conduct research on prospect guests or social media to broadcast your interviews. And meeting over Zoom for classes, mentoring, or interviewing someone? Let’ say this wasn’t on the menu…

But beyond the technology and internet of things, what fueled me some 25 years ago is but the same thing that fuels these young journalists today: curiosity, the thirst to take a step towards others and build bridges between people.

And aren’t we in dire need of such bridges in these trying times…