An interview is a directed conversation in which one person asks questions to obtain information, opinions or testimony from another. In its simplest sense the interviewer elicits data and the interviewee responds. This basic dynamic—question and answer—appears across many settings, from hiring and research to news reporting and law enforcement. For a succinct definition see information.

Common forms and characteristics

Interviews can be classified by format and purpose. Common formats include:

  • Structured interviews: fixed questions and order, often used in hiring and surveys.
  • Semi-structured interviews: a flexible guide of topics, typical in qualitative research.
  • Unstructured interviews: conversational and open-ended, used for in-depth profiles or exploratory work.

Typical features are preparation (goal setting, question design), interaction skills (active listening, follow-up questions), and closure (summarizing, next steps). Technical variations include in-person, telephone and video interviews, and written or asynchronous formats.

History and development

Interviews became a prominent tool in journalism and social science in the 19th and early 20th centuries as mass media and systematic research expanded. Reporters adopted interviews to gather first-hand accounts for journalism and news, while social researchers refined methods to probe attitudes and behaviour. Over time recording technologies, standardized instruments and ethical guidelines shaped contemporary practice.

Major uses and examples

Interviews serve distinct societal functions. Employers and human resources professionals conduct interviews when recruiting employers evaluate candidates for a job. Journalists interview sources to create articles, profiles and broadcast segments. Academics and market researchers use interviews to collect qualitative evidence about beliefs and experiences. Public agencies and investigators rely on interviews to document events.

Interviews in policing and intelligence

Law enforcement interview witnesses and victims to reconstruct incidents; police practice differs from judicial testimony and is governed by legal safeguards. Similarly, military and intelligence personnel may interview detainees or informants as part of analysis; these contexts sometimes border on interrogation and raise distinctive procedural and ethical issues. For related actors see police, witnesses, crime and military.

Practical considerations and distinctions

Effective interviews require clear objectives, respectful rapport, careful question sequencing and attention to consent and confidentiality. Distinguish ordinary interviews from investigative questioning: interviews aim to gather information voluntarily, while interrogations use deliberate pressure to elicit admissions. Ethical practice emphasizes informed consent, avoidance of coercion, accurate record-keeping and cultural sensitivity.

Whether in hiring, research, media or enforcement, the interview is a versatile communicative tool. Its value depends on preparation, technique and the integrity of participants and institutions.