The questioning journal

An open question still needs a purpose.

A question can invite a long answer without inviting a useful one. Begin with what you want to understand and then choose the wording.

Record the answer before recording the conclusion.

An interview note can quietly turn an observation into a judgement. Write what the person described before deciding what it means.

Ask what another person would need to understand the story.

A reporter cannot rely on being present when the event happened. The question must help make the context understandable to someone else.

Silence can be part of an attentive conversation.

A pause does not always mean that a question has failed. The person may be recalling a situation or deciding how to explain it.

The learning continues after the interview ends.

Begin with the purpose of the interview. Which questions helped establish relevant information, and which left the team uncertain?

The candidate’s questions are part of the interview.

A selection conversation helps both sides understand the possible working relationship. Leave time for the candidate to ask about the role.