Interviewer

Your Fit

Income

$44K

Preparation

Medium

Growth

-10.1%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is an Interviewer?

An Interviewer is a professional responsible for conducting interviews to gather information, opinions, or data from individuals. This role is critical in various fields such as market research, human resources, and journalism, serving as a bridge to collect valuable insights or information.

Sample job titles:

Admissions Clerk, Admissions Representative, Interviewer, Registration Clerk

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Interviewer.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does an Interviewer earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) in 2024 was...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$32K per year	$37K per year	$44K per year	$50K per year	$61K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $5.67K below the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does an Interviewer do?

Work environment

Interviewers work in a variety of settings depending on their field. This can include offices, call centers, or fieldwork in public spaces for market research. Human resources interviewers often work within corporate offices, while journalists may work in dynamic environments, including outdoors or on location. The job may involve travel and irregular hours, especially in journalism and field research.

Quick task list

Conducts interviews in person, over the phone, or through digital platforms.
Prepares interview questions and methodologies.
Records and organizes data or responses gathered from interviews.
Analyzes and interprets interview data for reports or decision-making.
Maintains confidentiality and ethical standards in information gathering.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Market Research Interviewer: Specializing in gathering consumer opinions and preferences.
Human Resources Interviewer: Focusing on candidate screening and employee interviews for hiring and internal assessments.
Journalistic Interviewer: Conducting interviews to gather news and stories for media outlets.
Medical Research Interviewer: Collecting data for medical or scientific research.
Customer Feedback Interviewer: Focusing on gathering customer satisfaction data for businesses.

Description

Interviewers play a vital role in collecting and analyzing information that informs business strategies, public policies, and media content. They must possess excellent communication skills, as well as the ability to listen attentively and ask relevant questions. In addition to gathering information, they need to be adept at establishing rapport with interviewees to ensure open and honest communication.

Depending on the field, interviewers may need to be knowledgeable about specific topics or industries. For example, those in market research need to understand consumer behavior, while journalistic interviewers must be aware of current events and newsworthy topics. This role requires a balance of interpersonal skills and methodical, analytical abilities to accurately interpret and present findings.

Technology plays a significant role in this profession, especially for recording and analyzing data. Digital communication skills are increasingly important, and interviewers must be adaptable, able to conduct interviews across various platforms. The role can offer diverse experiences and opportunities to interact with a wide range of people, making it an attractive option for those who enjoy communication and information gathering.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Engaging with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Contributing valuable insights that can influence decision-making or public opinion.
The intellectual challenge of analyzing data and identifying trends or patterns.

You might make a good Interviewer if you are...

A strong communicator, both in asking questions and listening.
Curious and interested in learning about different subjects and people.
Able to analyze and interpret information effectively.
Comfortable with both face-to-face and digital communication platforms.
Ethical and respectful of confidentiality and privacy concerns.

Pros:

Opportunity to meet and interact with a variety of people.
Dynamic work environment with diverse subjects and challenges.
Potential for flexibility in work hours and settings.

Cons:

May involve irregular hours, especially in journalism.
Can be challenging to elicit information from reluctant interviewees.
Requires staying updated with relevant industry knowledge and trends.

How to become an Interviewer

Typical education

A high school diploma is often sufficient for entry-level positions, particularly in market research or customer feedback roles. However, positions in specialized fields like journalism or human resources typically require a bachelor's degree in a relevant field, equating to 4 years of post-secondary education.

High school preparation

Courses:

English and Communication for developing strong verbal and written skills.
Psychology to understand human behavior and effective communication techniques.
Journalism or Media Studies, if available, for insights into interviewing for media.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Participating in debate or public speaking clubs to enhance communication skills.
Volunteering for school newspapers or local community TV/radio stations.
Engaging in roles that require interviewing or surveying, such as for school projects.

Preparation after high school

Pursue a bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, psychology, or a related field for specialized interviewer roles.
Gain experience through internships in market research firms, media houses, or human resources departments.
Attend workshops or courses in interviewing techniques, data analysis, and digital communication tools.

More resources

The Qualitative Research Consultants Association (QRCA) - Offers resources and networking for qualitative research professionals.
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) - Provides information and resources for those interested in HR interviewing.
Poynter Institute - Offers journalism courses and resources, including interviewing techniques.
American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) - Provides standards and resources for survey research and interviewing.

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