An interview is a series of questions and answers, usually between two people, which has the purpose of getting and understanding information about a particular subject.

Interviews can be used for a wide variety of purposes, including speeches, group projects, and research papers. Careful preparation is essential. The person conducting the interview should gather background information-both about the person being interviewed and about the topic. Questions should be prepared beforehand, and the interviewer should strike a balance between informational and thought--provoking questions.

Before the interview, the interviewer should decide whether to use tape or take notes. Tape offers the advantage of greater accuracy, and it frees the interviewer from note taking. The disadvantages of tape are that it is time-consuming to listen to after the interview has been completed and that some interviewees will react differently if they are being taped.

Information interviews also can serve as precursors to job interviews. They are designed to get job information, make contacts, and offer practice. They require special preparation. Interviewers must determine whom to contact, how to find these people, what questions to ask, how to arrange for the interview, how to conduct it, and how to follow it up.

Gaining employment usually involves a several-step process. You begin by evaluating the job description; then you write an application letter and a résumé that are tailored to the position. Before you go to an employment interview, it's important that you research the organization that is offering the job.

During the employment interview be prepared to talk about all of the following: your job expectations, your academic and work backgrounds, your knowledge of the organization, your career goals, and your strengths and weaknesses as a potential employee. After the interview, write a follow-up letter or call the interviewer, indicating that you are still interested in working for the organization. You should also thank the interviewer again for the interview.

Presentations involve a variety of skills. They are popular because they serve an important purpose-providing information and/or motivating others--and because the means for providing the visual support they require are readily available. Presenters must thoroughly prepare their presentations. This means checking out the facilities, doing a complete audience analysis, and establishing a clear central idea, sometimes referred to as a thesis, goal, objective, or purpose. Presenters must demonstrate natural delivery. Develop a key-idea outline (key ideas only) but not a complete-sentence outline. Use the key-idea outline as the basis for practicing and for preparing visual support. Present your speech, working from your outline, to anyone you can get to listen. Finally, use effective visuals. Find visual support that reinforces and expands the message, focuses listener attention on key ideas, and clarifies meaning. Good visuals must be visible, clear, and simple. Also, be both technically efficient and knowledgeable so that professionalism is revealed throughout the presentation.