Real Communication An Introduction

500

hat would prompt a congressman to submit to an interview knowing

well in advance that he will likely be made to look like a fool? And how

does an interview like this one relate to other interviews—from serious news fea-

tures to job interviews? Here we’ll take a look at interviews from a communica-

tion standpoint—how they relate to other forms of communication, what kinds

of factors are at work in an interview situation, and how anyone—from recent

college graduates to freshman congressmen and congresswomen, to real and fake

news pundits—can improve their interviewing skills.

The Nature of Interviews

Although interviewing is not exactly like grabbing lunch with a friend, the same

principles that apply to all forms of communication are also at work in an inter-

view with some important differences.

An interview is a transaction that is more structured and goal-driven than

other forms of communication. The communication is deliberate and purpose-

ful for at least one of the parties involved and often involves attempts to influ-

ence the other(s) (Atlas, 2011; O’Hair, Friedrich, & Dixon, 2011).

c Interviews are planned. Interviews have a purpose that goes beyond the estab-

lishment and development of a relationship. At least one of the parties has

a predetermined reason for initiating the interview (for example, to gather

information).

c Interviews are goal-driven. Because a goal exists in advance of the interaction,

at least one of the participants plans a strategy for initiating, conducting,

and concluding the interview.

c Interviews are structured. The primary goal of an interview is almost always

defined at the beginning of the meeting, something that’s rarely true of a

conversation with a friend. Interview relationships are more formally struc-

tured, and clear status differences often exist. One party usually expects to

exert more control than the other.

c Interviews are dyadic. Like other forms of interpersonal communication, the

interview is dyadic, meaning that it involves two parties. In some instances, a

“party” consists of more than one person, as when survey researchers conduct

group interviews or when job applicants appear before a panel of interviewers.

In such situations, even though a number of individuals are involved, there

are only two parties (interviewers and interviewees), each with a role to play.

c Interviews are transactional. Interviews involve two-way communication in

which both parties take turns in speaking and listening roles with a heavy

dependence on questions and answers. Although most interviews occur face

to face, interviews over the phone or via a video conference are also consid-

ered transactional discourse. Although the parties take turns in speaking and

listening roles, you will recall from Chapter 1 that communicators don’t

turn themselves off in the listening role; they provide valuable nonverbal

feedback.

After you have finished

reading this Appendix,

you will be able to

Define the nature of

interviews

Outline the different

types of interviews

Describe the three

parts of an interview:

opening, questions,

and conclusion

Devise an interview

strategy from the

interviewer’s point

of view

Prepare for the role

of interviewee

Secure job interviews

and manage them with

confidence

chapter

outcomes

500

W

18_OHA_45766_App_A_498_529.indd 50018_OHA_45766_App_A_498_529.indd 500 13/10/14 5:37 PM13/10/14 5:37 PM