Week 7 - Lecture Notes

Title: Checklist
* * * please copy for your toolbox * * *

Instructions: Use the questions below as a profile checklist.

Questions and Answers

Answer the following questions in the fields below.

Question 1: What did you consider when choosing your subject? You may want to think through some of the questions here: Why is this person newsworthy? What will be your focus of the profile? What has this person done that would be of interest to readers of your college newspaper, Web site or local publication? Does this person contribute to your college or university behind the scenes - i.e. head of maintenance? Has this person received an award, written a book, started a new course or program? Is this person new in his or her job? Is this person retiring after a long stay at your college or university? If it is a student, is he or she head of an organization, an athlete, or achieved an unusual accomplishment?


Question 2: Have you done background research? Check the Internet. Ask for a resume or vita. Ask co-workers, students or other people about the person (before the interview) to get tips on questions to ask. (You also could interview these people after the interview.) Check everything you can about the person's background before the interview.

Question 3: Did you schedule the interview well in advance?

Question 4: Can you get a photo?

Question 5: What questions have you prepared? Here are some options: a. Turning points - Were there any incidents or people who influenced you to choose this career or job? b. Goals - what are your goals in this job c. Achievements - What are your major achievements (books, research, awards)? d. Obstacles - What are some of the obstacles you have faced or currently face? e. Logistics - Don't forget to get the basics; when or how long in this position, age if relevant, check the full name and spelling, formal title. f. Background - Double check items on the resume (college, degrees, home town), other positions held. g. Personal - Married, single, children - if relevant.

Question 6: Can you locate other sources? Check other people who work with this person, relatives if relevant, students if interviewing a professor or administrator.