Journalist and investigator jobs, as well as marketing and human resource jobs, are all examples of professional interviewer jobs. People interested in careers in media, entertainment, or law, as well as business and health care, can apply for these positions. Interviewer jobs are those in which a professional gathers information and opinions from ordinary people or experts in order to inform, entertain, or solve mysteries and problems. Interviewers must often be at ease and bold enough to approach and converse with strangers of all ages and backgrounds in a variety of settings.
A job as a newspaper reporter, magazine writer, radio host, or television reporter can lead to a career as a media interviewer. These journalists interview citizens, government officials, and, in some cases, celebrities to report on breaking news or pop culture. Many interviewer jobs require a journalism or communications degree; however, many people have gotten into the media by networking and starting grassroots blogs, online radio programs, or public access television shows.
Investigative interviewers include law enforcement officers and attorneys. A deposition is a special question-and-answer session in which attorneys interview litigants in a court case. During court proceedings, they also interview or cross-examine witnesses in order to elicit information that will aid a judge or jury in determining who is at fault. As part of their daily duties, police detectives and patrol officers interview witnesses, suspects, and crime experts.
Human resource (HR) manager or specialist is the most common interviewer position. HR representatives interview people to see if their skills and personalities make them suitable matches for any job openings. They are responsible for hiring the workforce in any profession. Unlike media and investigative interviews, which can be very formal, the HR job interviewer often tries to establish a relaxed, informal rapport with the candidate. These interviews can take place in the office or over lunch.
In marketing, executives may organize focus groups in which a market research interviewer questions consumers about their buying and shopping habits in order to determine how frequently they use certain products and whether there is a viable customer base for new or improved products. Employees in marketing interviewer jobs must gather information on customer behavior so that a company can pitch a product to the appropriate demographic or make changes to make a service or product more appealing. In order to gather medical history, family background, socioeconomic conditions, and other personal details, health care interviewer jobs, such as intake specialists or caseworkers, require professionals to interview patients. These interviewers could be used for research as well as assessment and treatment. Medical interviewers gather information for documentaries, projects, and health studies at universities and research hospitals.