- Don’t find out in advance, and prepare for, what the interviewer is interested in discussing.
- Ignore becoming aware of the host’s style, experiences, strengths, and weaknesses.
- Have someone else arrange the interview so you won’t waste time speaking with the person who will try putting you on the hot seat.
- Convince yourself there will be no surprise, unrelated questions, particularly at the program’s beginning.
- Consider it a waste of time to have someone internally or externally, with media skills, prep you.
- Show up at the last minute. This way you avoid meeting and shaking hands will all personnel involved.
- Dress inappropriately. Slouch, look bored, frown, and fidget. Allow interior distractions to overcome your mental concentration. When first sitting down, if studio lights bother your vision, keep silent.
- Never challenge the interviewer’s inaccurate rephrasing of your answers.
- Never challenge dubious sources when asked questions attributed to information provided by such people.
- Fake your way through question on issues in which you have no knowledge. Lie.
- Forget eye contact with the greater audience — those watching you.
- Stop your complete answer whenever a host interrupts you. (The wimp’s creed.)
- Leave your host without clarifying any comment you think deserves elaboration or even correction.
