Start Strong

1. Start Strong Interview Training

2. Start Strong Program Description Start Strong is a program working to combine walking to school with healthy breakfasts in order to enhance student health and build community involvement in your elementary school.

3. Manual • Interviewer responsibilities • Scheduling an interview • In-person interviews • Phone interviews • Dealing with questions • General tips

4. Interviewer Responsibilities • Scheduling/Conducting the interview • Professional conduct • Accurate records • Confidentiality • Turning in paperwork • Information for vouchers

5. Scheduling an Interview • Beforehand: • Practice the script • Know the name of your respondent • Have your availability handy • During the call: • Identify yourself • Follow the script • Be ready to describe the program • Be prepared to do the interview then if a good time • Be courteous • Write down available times

6. In-person Interviews • Practice ahead of time • Dress professionally and be on time • General courtesy • Follow script • Accurately record answers • Make eye contact throughout the interview • Give them a voucher

7. Phone Interviews • Call at the appointed time • Introduce yourself and remind them of the interview • Follow the script • Accurately record data • Get an address for mailing the voucher • Thank them

8. Dealing with Questions • Anticipate possible questions and have responses ready • Interviewer should never offer their own opinion or interpretation of a question • Respondents can refuse the interview at any time during the process • Staff interviews must be done in person for the integrity of the data

9. General Tips • First impression is important • Read questions at an even pace • If respondent interrupts, still finish reading the question • Use non-committal responses to show you are listening • Keep the interview on track

10. Good Interviewers are… • Outgoing • Friendly • Clear speakers • Good readers • Legible writers

11. Role Plays • Some examples of how to handle situations • With a partner: • Practice scheduling an interview • Practice doing an interview FEEL FREE TO PRETEND TO BE DIFFICULT OR SOMEONE WHO IS UNAWARE OF THE PROGRAM. THIS WILL HELP YOU PREPARE FOR THE REAL INTERVIEWS.

12. Questions? • Start Strong program contact: • Mollie Greves – greves@u.washington.edu • Interview procedure questions or comments: • Jaime Waliczek – jaimejw@u.washington.edu • Carley Bollen – bollec@u.washington.edu • Emily Brooks – ehbrooks@u.washington.edu • Kalayaan Domingo – kmd2@u.washington.edu