1.3 Types of interviews and their contexts
3 min read•august 6, 2024
Interviews come in many flavors, each with its own purpose and style. From job interviews to journalistic probes, they all aim to gather info and insights. Knowing the different types helps you prep and shine in any interview situation.
Whether it's landing a dream job, uncovering a big story, or conducting research, interviews are key. They're not just Q&A sessions – they're chances to connect, learn, and make an impact. Mastering interview skills opens doors in countless fields.
Employment Interviews
Job Interviews
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Top images from around the web for Job Interviews
"Preparing for a Dozen Types of Interviews" - HigherEdJobs View original
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Selecting Employees | Introduction to Psychology View original
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PRDV103: Types of Job Interviews | Saylor Academy View original
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- Conducted by employers to assess a candidate's qualifications, skills, and fit for a specific job opening
- Typically involve face-to-face meetings between the candidate and one or more interviewers (hiring manager, HR representative, team members)
- May include various formats such as structured interviews with predetermined questions, semi-structured interviews with a mix of planned and spontaneous questions, or unstructured interviews with a more conversational approach
- Employers evaluate candidates based on their responses, body language, and overall presentation to determine their suitability for the role
Exit and Performance Interviews
- Exit interviews are conducted with employees who are leaving an organization voluntarily or involuntarily
- Aim to gather insights into the employee's experience, reasons for departure, and potential areas for improvement within the company
- Can help identify patterns or issues that may be contributing to employee turnover
- Performance interviews, also known as performance appraisals or reviews, are conducted by managers to assess an employee's job performance over a specific period
- Discuss strengths, weaknesses, achievements, and areas for improvement
- Set goals and expectations for future performance and development
- Provide feedback and guidance to help employees grow and succeed in their roles
Informational Interviews
- Conducted by job seekers or individuals exploring career options to gather information about a specific industry, company, or role
- Involve meeting with professionals in the field of interest to ask questions, gain insights, and build relationships
- Serve as a valuable networking tool and can help individuals make informed decisions about their career paths
- Provide an opportunity to learn about the day-to-day responsibilities, challenges, and rewards of a particular job or industry
Interviews for Information Gathering
Journalistic and Research Interviews
- Journalistic interviews are conducted by reporters, journalists, or media professionals to gather information for news articles, features, or broadcasts
- Aim to uncover facts, opinions, and perspectives on a particular topic or event
- Require strong interviewing skills, such as active listening, asking probing questions, and maintaining objectivity
- Research interviews are conducted by researchers or academics to collect data for studies, projects, or publications
- Can be structured, semi-structured, or unstructured depending on the research objectives and methodology
- May involve one-on-one interviews, focus groups, or panel discussions
- Require careful planning, participant selection, and adherence to ethical guidelines and research protocols
Investigative and Survey Interviews
- Investigative interviews are conducted by law enforcement, private investigators, or other professionals to gather information related to a crime, incident, or allegation
- Aim to uncover facts, evidence, and witness accounts to support an investigation
- Require specialized training in interviewing techniques, such as building rapport, detecting deception, and handling sensitive or emotional situations
- Survey interviews are conducted to collect data from a large sample of individuals for market research, opinion polls, or social science studies
- Can be administered through various methods, such as phone interviews, online questionnaires, or in-person interviews
- Require carefully designed questions, sampling techniques, and data analysis to ensure reliable and representative results
Specialized Interview Contexts
Clinical Interviews
- Conducted by mental health professionals, such as psychologists, psychiatrists, or counselors, to assess an individual's mental health, diagnose disorders, or develop treatment plans
- Involve gathering information about the individual's symptoms, history, and overall functioning through a structured or process
- May include standardized assessment tools, such as diagnostic interviews or psychological tests, to aid in the evaluation and diagnosis
- Require a supportive and non-judgmental environment to foster open communication and trust between the interviewer and the interviewee
Key Terms to Review (18)
Behavioral Interviewing: Behavioral interviewing is a technique used in job interviews where candidates are asked to provide specific examples from their past experiences to demonstrate their skills and behaviors. This method is based on the premise that past behavior is the best predictor of future performance. By focusing on real-life situations, this approach helps interviewers assess how candidates have handled challenges and opportunities, providing deeper insights into their abilities and fit for the role.
Closed-ended questions: Closed-ended questions are inquiries that provide limited response options, typically requiring a simple 'yes' or 'no,' or selecting from predefined choices. These questions serve specific purposes in interviews, such as gathering straightforward information, facilitating quantitative analysis, and maintaining control over the conversation.
Confidentiality: Confidentiality refers to the ethical and legal obligation to protect the privacy of information shared by individuals during an interview. This concept is crucial for building trust with interviewees and ensuring that sensitive information remains secure and is not disclosed without consent.
Exit Interview: An exit interview is a structured conversation conducted with an employee who is leaving an organization, aimed at gathering feedback about their experiences and reasons for departure. This type of interview is important as it provides insights into workplace culture, management practices, and areas for improvement, ultimately helping organizations enhance employee retention and engagement.
Informational Interview: An informational interview is a conversation in which a person seeks to gather insights and advice from someone with experience in a particular field or industry. This type of interview helps individuals explore career paths, gain knowledge about specific roles, and expand their professional networks without the pressure of a formal job interview. It serves as a valuable tool for learning about potential opportunities and understanding industry trends.
Informed Consent: Informed consent is the process of obtaining permission from an individual before conducting an interview or gathering sensitive information, ensuring that the person fully understands what participation involves. This includes clearly explaining the purpose of the interview, how the information will be used, and any potential risks, thus protecting the rights and privacy of the interviewee.
Investigative Interview: An investigative interview is a structured conversation conducted to gather information, clarify details, and uncover the truth about a specific event or situation, often in relation to a crime or misconduct. This type of interview is crucial for law enforcement and organizations as it aims to extract accurate and comprehensive accounts from witnesses, victims, or suspects, helping to build a clearer picture of the circumstances surrounding an incident.
Job Interview: A job interview is a formal conversation between a job candidate and a representative of an organization, designed to assess the candidate's qualifications for employment. This process not only evaluates the candidate's skills and experiences but also helps both parties determine if there is a good fit for the role and company culture. Understanding the nuances of different types of job interviews, such as behavioral or panel interviews, is crucial in preparing effectively for this critical step in the hiring process.
Journalistic interview: A journalistic interview is a method of gathering information through direct questioning, typically conducted by a journalist to obtain insights, opinions, and facts from a source. This type of interview is crucial in the field of journalism as it enables reporters to create accurate and engaging stories, often exploring complex subjects or events through the voices of those involved or affected.
Open-ended questions: Open-ended questions are inquiries that allow for a full, meaningful answer using the subject's own knowledge and feelings, rather than simply a 'yes' or 'no' response. These questions encourage interviewees to express their thoughts and provide more detailed information, which is essential for gathering insights in various interviewing contexts.
Performance Interview: A performance interview is a structured conversation between an interviewer and an interviewee aimed at evaluating the interviewee's job performance, skills, and competencies. These interviews often take place in a workplace setting, where feedback is provided on past performances and goals are set for future improvements. They help create accountability and encourage professional growth, making them crucial in various contexts like employee evaluations and talent management.
Qualitative research methods: Qualitative research methods are approaches used to gather non-numerical data that provide insights into people's experiences, thoughts, and emotions. These methods emphasize understanding the meaning behind social phenomena, which can be particularly useful in interviews, where the context and depth of responses reveal more than just surface-level information. By exploring how individuals perceive their world, qualitative research helps to uncover themes and patterns that quantitative data may overlook.
Rapport building: Rapport building is the process of establishing a positive, trusting relationship between the interviewer and the interviewee, which is essential for effective communication and information exchange. This connection enhances the comfort level of the interviewee, encouraging openness and honesty, which leads to richer and more insightful responses during the interview.
Research Interview: A research interview is a systematic conversation between an interviewer and a participant aimed at gathering information, insights, or opinions on a specific topic. It serves as a crucial tool in qualitative research, allowing the interviewer to probe deeper into the participant's thoughts and experiences, making it distinct from other interview types like structured or semi-structured interviews.
Semi-structured interview: A semi-structured interview is a qualitative data collection method that combines pre-determined questions with the flexibility to explore topics in more depth during the conversation. This approach allows the interviewer to guide the discussion while also enabling participants to express their thoughts and feelings freely, making it particularly effective for gathering rich, detailed information in various contexts.
Structured Interview: A structured interview is a research method where the interviewer asks a predetermined set of questions in a specific order, ensuring consistency and comparability in responses. This approach is designed to minimize variability in answers and allows for quantitative analysis, making it particularly useful in contexts where clear, objective data is needed.
Survey Interview: A survey interview is a structured conversation designed to gather information and opinions from respondents about specific topics. This type of interview often employs standardized questions that can be easily quantified, making it useful for statistical analysis and research purposes. Survey interviews can take place in various formats, including face-to-face, telephone, or online, and are commonly used in market research, social science studies, and public opinion polling.
Unstructured Interview: An unstructured interview is a conversational approach to interviewing where the interviewer has no predefined set of questions, allowing for a more organic and flexible dialogue with the interviewee. This type of interview encourages open-ended responses and exploration of topics that may arise spontaneously, which can lead to deeper insights and understanding. It is particularly useful for gathering rich qualitative data and fostering a relaxed atmosphere for the interviewee.