Cross-cultural communication anxiety and uncertainty are common elements experienced by everyone despite their cultural orientation. Understanding this shared concern will help us empathize with others in intercultural communication. This week, you will better understand the dynamic of interacting with a person from a different culture. You will experience some anxiety as the interviewer, but the person you will be interviewing might also be anxious. Keep this in mind.
It is finally here; you are ready to give the interview! You have prepared culturally sensitive questions, you have been building a comfortable relationship with the interviewee, and you have selected a time and place that works well for the interviewee. Next, consider the following tips from “9 Tips on Conducting Great Interviews” (Israel, 2012) that will help your interview be a success.
- Start slow, creating a safe environment for interviewee.
- Coax your interviewee into revealing information. Don’t hammer them.
- Ask open ended questions.
- Ask questions you don’t know the answers to – allow yourself to be surprised.
- Allow interviewees to go off-topic a bit.
- Don’t send questions ahead of the interview.
- Be prepared – do your research.
- Listen to your interviewee.
- Avoid dumb questions.
Interview Questions
Name of Interviewee:
Question 1:
Can you share a bit about your cultural background and how it has shaped your values and beliefs?
Question 2:
What challenges have you faced while navigating cultural differences, either at school, work, or in your community?
Question 3:
How does your family maintain cultural traditions, and how do those practices influence your daily life?
Question 4:
Have you ever felt misunderstood or misrepresented because of your cultural background?
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Question 5:
What role does language play in your cultural identity?
Question 6:
What advice would you give someone who wants to be more culturally aware and respectful?
