How to Interview Your Boss

Ever had to interview your boss – or a divisional general manager – or the managing director of a key customer? What about a politician or a senior executive in a government department? All these scenarios can be nerve racking, yet they’re something a business analyst may be required to do on a regular basis.

Face-to-face contact remains one of the most effective methods for gathering information, but it’s all too easy to get it wrong. We ask the wrong questions, treat it as an informal chat, create a bad impression and lose credibility. An interview needs planning and a clear picture of what the interview objectives are. In this paper we’ll look at some proven tips and techniques for ensuring a successful information gathering interview, whatever the title or position of the person being interviewed.

Authors: Jan Kusiak, Training Services Manager, IRM