Interview techniques

The techniques for getting information out of people by asking the right questions in the right way and to make them feel comfortable.

interview procedures
interviewing techniques
interview methods
interview technique
interview practices

knowledge

cross-sector

Interview techniques is an essential knowledge of the following occupations:

Field survey manager: Field survey managers organise and supervise investigations and surveys on the request of a sponsor. They monitor their implementation according to production requirements and lead a team of field investigators.
Photojournalist: Photojournalists cover all kinds of news events by taken informative images. They tell stories by taking, editing and presenting images for newspapers, journals, magazines, television and other media.
Foreign correspondent: Foreign correspondents research and write news stories of international importance for newspapers, journals, magazines, radio, television and other media. They are stationed in a foreign country.
Occupational health and safety inspector: Occupational health and safety inspectors perform workplace audits to ensure compliance with government and environment legislation. They also investigate work accidents. Occupational health and safety inspectors interview employees to ensure the work environment is compliant with health and safety rules, inspect the physical work site and analyse legal paperwork.
Sports journalist: Sports journalists research and write articles about sport events and athletes for newspapers, magazines, television and other media. They conduct interviews and attend events.
Private detective: Private detectives research and analyse information to uncover facts for personal, corporate or legal reasons, depending on their clients. They conduct surveillance activities, which includes taking photos, doing background checks and interviewing individuals. Private detectives may help in criminal and civil cases, child custody, financial fraud, on-line harassment and may search for missing people. They compile all the information into a file and hand it to their clients for further action.

Market research interviewer:
Market research interviewers strive to collect information on the perceptions, opinions, and preferences of customers in relation to commercial products or services. They use interview techniques to draw as much information as possible by contacting people via telephone calls, by approaching them face-to-face or by by virtual means. They pass this information to experts for drawing analysis.
News anchor: News anchors present news stories on radio and television. They introduce pre-recorded news items and items covered by live reporters. News anchors are often trained journalists.
Survey enumerator: Survey enumerators perform interviews and fill in forms in order to collect the data provided by interviewees. They can collect information by phone, mail, personal visits or on the street. They conduct and help the interviewees administer the information that the interviewer is interested in having, usually related to demographic information for governmental statistical purposes.
Journalist: Journalists research, verify and write news stories for newspapers, magazines, television and other broadcast media. They cover political, economic, cultural, social and sport events. Journalists must conform to ethical codes such as freedom of speech and right of reply, press law and editorial standards in order to bring objective information.
Entertainment journalist: Entertainment journalists research and write articles about cultural and social events for newspapers, magazines, television and other media. They conduct interviews with artists and celebrities and attend events.
Crime journalist: Crime journalists research and write articles about criminal events for newspapers, magazines, television and other media. They conduct interviews and attend court hearings.
Business journalist: Business journalists research and write articles about economy and economic events for newspapers, magazines, television and other media. They conduct interviews and attend events.
Political journalist: Political journalists research and write articles about politics and politicians for newspapers, magazines, television and other media. They conduct interviews and attend events.
Critic: Critics write reviews of literary, musical and artistic works, restaurants, movies, television programs and other themes for newspapers, journals, magazines, radio, television and other media. They evaluate theme, expression and technique. Critics make judgements based on their personal experience and knowledge.

Interview techniques is optional for these occupations. This means knowing this knowledge may be an asset for career advancement if you are in one of these occupations.

Credit analyst: Credit analysts investigate credit applications from customers and evaluate if the applications comply with regulations and guidelines of the financial loan-granting institution. On the basis of credit analyses they advise financial institutions whether customers are loan worthy. They perform tasks such as collecting data on the loan applicant, aquire additional information from other departments or institutions and indicating what sort of agreements the financial institution should reach with the credit applicant. Credit analysts also follow up on the development of the credit portfolio of clients.
Presenter: Presenters host broadcast productions. They are the face or voice of these programs and make announcements on different platforms such as radio, television, theatres or other establishments. They ensure that their audience is entertained and introduce the artists or persons being interviewed.
Sociologist: Sociologists focus their research on explaining social behaviour and the way people have organised themselves as a society. They research and explain the way societies have evolved by describing their legal, political, and economic systems and their cultural expressions.
Campaign canvasser: Campaign canvassers operate on field level to persuade the public to vote for the political candidate they represent. They engage in direct conversation with the public in public places, and gather information on the public’s opinion, as well as perform activities ensuring that information on the campaign reaches a wide audience.
Media scientist: Media scholars research the role and impact that media has on the society. They observe and document the usage of different kinds of media such as newspapers, radio and TV and the response from society.
Fact checker: Fact checkers make certain that all the information in texts that are ready for publishing is correct. They research the facts thoroughly and correct errors.
Newspaper editor: Newspaper editors decide which news stories are interesting enough and will be covered in the paper. They assign journalists to each item. Newspaper editors determine the length of each news article and where it will be featured in the newspaper. They also ensure that publications are finished on time for publishing.
Vlogger: Vloggers make online videos to talk about a wide range of subjects such as politics, fashion, economics and sports. They can relate objective facts, but often they also give their opinion on the related topic. Vloggers post these videos online on social media or streaming platforms, often accompanied with written text. They also interact with their viewers via comments.
Genealogist: Genealogists trace history and lineages of families. The results of their effort are displayed in a table of the descent from person to person which forms a family tree or they are written as narratives. Genealogists use analysis of public records, informal interviews, genetic analysis, and other methods to gain input information.
Market research analyst: Market research analysts collect the information gathered in the market research and study it to draw conclusions. They define the potential customers of a product, the target group and the way they can be reached. Market research analysts analyse the position of products in the market from different perspectives such as features, prices and competitors. They analyse cross selling and interdependencies between different products and their placement. Market research analysts prepare information helpful for the development of marketing strategies.
Research and development manager: Research and development managers coordinate the efforts of scientists, academical researchers, product developers, and market researchers towards the creation of new products, the improvement of current ones or other research activities, including scientific research. They manage and plan research and development activities of an organisation, specify goals and budget requirements and manage the staff.
Polygraph examiner: Polygraph examiners prepare individuals for polygraph testing, conduct the polygraph exam and interpret the results. They pay close attention to detail and use a range of instruments to monitor respiratory, sweat and cardiovascular responses to questions addressed during the process. Polygraph examiners write reports on the basis of the results and can provide courtroom testimony.
Blogger: Bloggers write online articles on a wide range of subjects such as politics, fashion, economics and sports. They can relate objective facts, but often they also give their opinion on the related topic. Bloggers also interact with their readers via comments.
Anthropologist: Anthropologists research all aspects of life pertaining to humans. They study the various civilisations that have existed along the time and their ways of organisation. They attempt to analyse the physical, societal, linguistic, political, economical, philosophical, and cultural aspects of different people. The aim of their studies is to understand and describe the past of humanity and solve topical societal problems. They explore different perspectives such as philosophical anthropology.
Columnist: Columnists research and write opinion pieces about news events for newspapers, journals, magazines and other media. They have an area of interest and can be recognised by their writing style.
Editor-in-chief: Editors-in-chief oversee the production of news stories for newspapers, magazines, journals and other media. They manage the day-to-day operations of a publication and make sure it is ready on time.
Magazine editor: Magazine editors decide which stories are interesting enough and will be covered in the magazine. They assign journalists to each item. Magazine editors determine the length of each article and where it will be featured in the magazine. They also ensure that publications are finished on time for publishing.

References

1. Interview techniques – ESCO