An interview is a formal conversation where one person asks questions and another person answers them. The person asking questions is trying to learn specific information: a reporter might interview a scientist about a new discovery, or a principal might interview a teacher applying for a job.

Job interviews are perhaps the most common type. When you apply for a position, the employer wants to know if you're the right fit, so they interview you by asking about your skills, experience, and goals. College admissions officers interview prospective students for similar reasons.

Journalists interview people to gather facts for their stories. If a newspaper is writing about a local hero, a reporter will interview that person to learn the details firsthand. Police officers interview witnesses to crimes. Researchers interview people to collect data for their studies.

The word can also be used as a noun: “She has an interview tomorrow morning” or “The magazine published a fascinating interview with the astronaut.”

Good interviews require preparation on both sides. The interviewer prepares thoughtful questions, while the person being interviewed thinks about how to answer clearly and honestly. Unlike casual conversations where topics drift freely, interviews stay focused on particular subjects or goals.