Interviewing for TV
TV Tips
- Arrive early so that you can check your appearance.
- Stand/sit straight with you hands in a relaxed position at your sides.
- Relax your shoulders and keep your body still.
- Ask for make-up, if necessary, to help control perspiration.
- Wear medium-toned clothing, over-the-calf socks/over-the-knee dress. Avoid white shirts, bow ties, and lots of jewelry. Do not wear sunglasses.
- Avoid wearing solid red clothing.
- Assume that the microphone and camera are on from the time the reporter arrives to the time he or she leaves. Act accordingly.
- Show warmth, friendliness, sincerity.
- When appropriate, smile, gesture, and pause.
- Keep eye contact with the interviewer, if present, or with the camera/viewing audience.
- Don't rock back and forth. Don't cross your arms. Don’t look at your watch.
- If you need to face one way (e.g., hearing problem), make this known.
- Don’t sit in between two questioners or members of the opposition - your head movements will make you look guilty.
- Keep your head up – or you will look guilty.
- Avoid looking around the room.
- Don't touch the microphone.
