I Need A Little Guidance

[Fanfare]

Suppose you were going to interview an individual(eg. Trainer, exhibito, instructor, breeder, etc. . .) for some type of informatonal work like a written article, or a video documentary, or heck, even a raidio show, what types of questions would you ask?

Let's start with trainer. If you were giving a trainer an interview, what would you like to know in your interview?

[horses101870]

I have been interviewed for training positions and I have my resume' and photo album handy also. If I have video, I have it for veiwing. I have at least 5 refferances also. I have found that if I can give them a demo of my skills on there horses or I invite them to watch me train\or teach horses I have going. I have been on radio shows a few times and mostly have been asked because people have recomended me. I have wrote a few articles and I submit a demo first, If they like it I write a full one for them with a contract and copy right. As a person who has trained and taught I will say that I always try to due what the client wants with in reason. A trainer should want a open relationship w/ there clients but as a trainer they should have the last say. After all you pay them for there experiance and knowlege. PLease set straight forward guide lines for both and you hopefuly wont be disapointed!!! :)

[Fanfare]

I wasn't necessarily thinking of "Job Interview". Thank you very much though. I was thinking more along the lines of an Interview for information and the like.

Like a host interviewing a guest. Kind of a bad example but, Letterman interviewing Matt Damon. That kind of thing.

[JohnDeere]

I have given a lot of interviews through my writing for numerous ASB publications.
If I were to interview a Saddlebred trainer, from my personal viewpoint, I would want to know how they got to where they are. Who did they work for? How did they even get into the industry in the first place? What, if there was a defining moment, led you to decide you wanted to be a horse trainer? How has the industry changed you as a person? What have you learned? What is your advice to young people who hope to be a part of the industry in the future?

Hope that helped. :)

[Fanfare]

Why yes it did, thank you!

[janders]

I would ask a training question or two, also. If you're going to interview several trainers, for example, maybe ask them the same question. Or if they have a technique that they are known for, or an especially tough horse that they 'fixed.' I love reading anecdotes or stories from different trainers. There are such personalities in the horse world!

[Fanfare]

Hmmm....I definitely know what you mean, janders....I've heard some fabulous stories. Great idea.

[Rivendell]

Ask what sets them apart from others in their field.

[SaddlebredMom]

I would also ask what was their proudest moment as a trainer. Everyone may assume it would be their biggest win, but that might not necessarily be the case and it would be interesting to know that about them.

[D_BaldStockings]

in your own notebook,
Start with the reason for/goal of the interview, then list what questions will get you to that goal.
For instance, 'you are trying to help others succeed in an industry':
you need some background info questions
some questions that will reveal their growth in the industry
some dead ends they may have pursued
what has been lost or set aside that they would like to go back to
where they see the industry headed
where they see the most potential for growth
what avenues they are seeing new successes come out of.

Now it might seem that you would want to go for the final question right away, but you need to involve your audience and pique their interest in the speaker and subject first and lead their thoughts down the path to your goal.

I am so glad to see you putting so much into this, Fanfare!

Mary

[Fanfare]

To Mary and everyone else:

http://smilieshq.com/smilies/party0038.gif (http://www.smilieshq.com)

Mary, I have actually put a lot more into it than I am willing to share just yet. I need to work on it a whole heck of a lot longer before I put my main ideas on the chopping block for "editing" hehehe. Maybe get a few examples of what I have in mind....But I can't get ahead of myself there.

Thanks a lot! I am getting a lot of ideas.