In just a couple weeks Jenny Sundel will be teaching the Interviewing for Beginners class in West Hollywood. She was generous enough to share some of her tips with us. If you'd like to learn more, make sure to sign up for her seminar--do it soon and get a break on the price!

Here is my recipe for the perfect interviewer. As I can't cook to save my life, take it with a grain of salt. And of course mix to your own personal taste.

1 Part Hostess with the Mostest

· Break the ice: You want the interview experience to be as pleasant as possible, so greet your subject with a nice solid handshake and a smile. And remember: you're the one in charge of the tone. Come prepared with lots of good questions so you can easily switch topics if your interviewee clams up. Look for common ground, even if it's as simple as admiring the person's shirt.

· Dealing with a bad guest: Grin and bare it for the better good of the interview. If you lose your cool, the interview could get cut short. And worse, if you ever deal with celebs, you could get banned from a publicity firm's entire client roster.

1 Part Actor

· Know your audience: It's not about you and what you want to know. It's about what your editors and readers will find interesting.
· Learn your lines: Reading off index cards won't cut it. You have to make a connection with your subject and listen and respond.

· Improvise: Don't be afraid to go off book. If they throw you a curveball, explore it. That's how you get the best stuff.
· There are no small parts, just small actors: If you only get 2 minutes, you can still make it work (to steal Project Runway's motto). A lot can be said in a short period of time.

· Playing the part: Your role as an interviewer requires you to be very versatile and adaptable. So you might want to hone the roles of psychologist, devil's advocate, and all-around entertainer. (Although I think we can all agree that balloon animals are always a no-no, right?).

· Getting booed: When somebody takes offense to one of your questions, a publicist snaps at you, or your subject just seems generally irritated by you, seek solace in the fact that they might actually like you if you weren't playing the part of a nosy journalist. At least this is what I tell myself.

1 Part Gambler

· Luck of the draw: You never know what you're in for when you sit down for an interview. Sometimes the person is very willing to talk; other times, not so much. No matter what, you have to get your subject to open up. You can better prepare by reading past interviews and befriending other journalists - maybe they've interviewed this person before and can give you tips.

· Know when to hold 'em: Don't blow it all by asking tough questions at the very beginning or you run the risk of getting hung up on and then you're left with nothing. Wait to feel out your interviewees and consider your phrasing. Sometimes you luck out and they bring up the topic themselves or they actually want you to ask the question so they can clear the air.

· Know when to fold 'em: Always push for a response to your questions, but you have to know when to move on. There's a difference between being an aggressive reporter and an abusive one.

1 Part YOU

· Play to your strengths: Quick-witted? This will come in handy during the awkward moment when you call somebody the wrong name or blurt out some poorly phrased question. Wide-eyed and innocent? An inexperienced interviewer can leave subjects feeling less intimidated, so sometimes newbies get the best stuff. Insanely hot? You best brush your hair before you leave the house! But remember: as many a starlet has learned before, looks fade; wit and charm - that's the stuff with staying power.

· Be well-rounded: Read, have hobbies, be social - this will actually make you a better interviewer. The more experiences you have, the easier it is for you to connect with a wide range of people. So get a life (if you don't already have one!). If not for your own sake, for the sake of your career!