What is an interview? Everything you need to know about it
Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2025 4:06 am
For many, interviews can be a difficult and time-consuming task, but the truth is that they can also provide valuable information.
Whether we do the interview face to face or by phone, we can ask questions, observe, listen and notice the participants' reactions, whether they have doubts, are confused, or are excited or bored when answering our questions.
Therefore, in this article we will present in detail what an interview is, what types exist, what methods you can use to implement it and some additional recommendations that will help you in your next data collection or personnel selection process.
An interview is a method of collecting primary data that consists of asking one or more people for their opinion on a company, a product or a topic.
Interviews are qualitative in nature and therefore focus on personal israel phone number experience. The main objective of interviews is to find out about people's behaviour, attitudes and opinions .
Compared to other types of primary research , interviews typically have a higher response rate and provide more reliable results.
Some of the main objectives of conducting interviews include collecting primary data and detecting patterns and trends among the interviewees.
Characteristics of an interview
An effective interview requires compliance with certain principles and characteristics that distinguish it from other methods of information gathering. Among the most important are:
Direct interaction : The interview is based on personal interaction between the interviewer and the interviewee, allowing for a deeper understanding through verbal and non-verbal language.
Variable structure : Depending on their objective, interviews can be structured (with predetermined and ordered questions), semi-structured (with a flexible outline) or unstructured (with open and spontaneous questions).
Open dialogue : Unlike other methods, interviews allow for a fluid conversation, where the interviewee's answers can lead to new questions or further elaboration.
Clear objective : Each interview has a defined purpose, whether it is to obtain specific information, evaluate competencies, or understand behaviors or perceptions.
Confidentiality and ethics : In many cases, it is essential to ensure the privacy of responses and respect the informed consent of the interviewee, especially in research contexts or sensitive interviews.
Preparation and Planning : Interviews require a preparation phase to define the objective, research the interviewee, and formulate appropriate questions that align with the purposes of the interview.
Whether we do the interview face to face or by phone, we can ask questions, observe, listen and notice the participants' reactions, whether they have doubts, are confused, or are excited or bored when answering our questions.
Therefore, in this article we will present in detail what an interview is, what types exist, what methods you can use to implement it and some additional recommendations that will help you in your next data collection or personnel selection process.
An interview is a method of collecting primary data that consists of asking one or more people for their opinion on a company, a product or a topic.
Interviews are qualitative in nature and therefore focus on personal israel phone number experience. The main objective of interviews is to find out about people's behaviour, attitudes and opinions .
Compared to other types of primary research , interviews typically have a higher response rate and provide more reliable results.
Some of the main objectives of conducting interviews include collecting primary data and detecting patterns and trends among the interviewees.
Characteristics of an interview
An effective interview requires compliance with certain principles and characteristics that distinguish it from other methods of information gathering. Among the most important are:
Direct interaction : The interview is based on personal interaction between the interviewer and the interviewee, allowing for a deeper understanding through verbal and non-verbal language.
Variable structure : Depending on their objective, interviews can be structured (with predetermined and ordered questions), semi-structured (with a flexible outline) or unstructured (with open and spontaneous questions).
Open dialogue : Unlike other methods, interviews allow for a fluid conversation, where the interviewee's answers can lead to new questions or further elaboration.
Clear objective : Each interview has a defined purpose, whether it is to obtain specific information, evaluate competencies, or understand behaviors or perceptions.
Confidentiality and ethics : In many cases, it is essential to ensure the privacy of responses and respect the informed consent of the interviewee, especially in research contexts or sensitive interviews.
Preparation and Planning : Interviews require a preparation phase to define the objective, research the interviewee, and formulate appropriate questions that align with the purposes of the interview.