What are interviews, and why are they important to learn about?

An interview is a meeting between two or more people in which one party (the interviewer) asks the other party (the interviewee) questions. The interview format is familiar from television and movies, with reporters, police, or government officials interviewing sources to learn the facts about a given topic or event. However, interviews are also a very important part of the process of searching for a job, as employers typically interview candidates one or more times to evaluate their personality and skills to see if they are a good fit for a position. Unlike a news interview where a source can simply answer questions to the best of their ability, successful job interviews should be approached with preparation and strategy. An interview is your chance to demonstrate your professional communications skills, tell your story in a way that conveys your competencies and strengths, and convince your potential employer that you’re the right fit for their organizational needs and workplace culture. It’s also important to learn how to ask your own questions to determine how well an organization fits with your personality, career goals, and salary objectives.

What kinds of careers can I get with interviewing skills?

Being able to approach interviews with confidence is an essential skill for the pursuit of virtually any career path. Whether you’re looking to work as an administrative assistant, a software engineer, or a financial analyst, mastering the art of the interview will help you land the job you want - regardless of whether you’re just beginning your career, looking to switch careers, or already have a successful career and want to advance it further. If you have strong interpersonal communications skills and an understanding of how interviews fit into the job search process, you could pursue a career in human resources (HR). Human resources managers are responsible for planning and coordinating an organization’s staffing needs, including recruitment and hiring. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , human resources managers earn a median annual salary of $116,720, and jobs in this field are expected to grow faster than the economy-wide average over the next decade.

Can I learn about interviewing by taking online courses on Coursera?

This is an easy question to answer: yes! Whether you’re an experienced job searcher looking to upgrade your interview skills or just starting your career, and whether you speak English natively or need to work on your English language skills, Coursera has courses to meet your needs. You can improve your interview skills with courses and Specializations from top-ranked universities like University of Maryland, College Park, Georgia Institute of Technology, and the University of California San Diego. Coursera also gives you the opportunity to learn about interviewing with Salesforce, an industry leader in providing software for customer relationship management as well as human resources management.

What skills or experience do I need to already have, before starting to learn about interviewing?

Anyone who is ready to look for a job is qualified to study interviewing. Because the interview process is necessary for almost any job, even entry-level positions, you won't need any previous skills or background. However, if you have interviewed for jobs in the past, that experience can help you gain more from your studies. A background in areas like human resources, sales, negotiation, business management, and communication may also help prepare you to learn more about the interview process.

How do I know if learning about interviewing is right for me?

Anyone who has never had a job interview before can benefit from learning about the process. You may also consider learning about interviewing if you've had one before and didn't do so well. Even if you've already got a job, but you want to move to a new field or seek a promotion, you may want to learn about interviewing so you can ace those that are more complicated or advanced. Learning about interviews can also help you prepare to enter college, graduate school, or a professional organization.

What topics can I study that are related to interviewing?

While learning about interviewing can help you get a job, there are other topics you can study to enhance your skills. These might include communication, English, writing, and public speaking. All of these will help you build confidence and leave a better impression at a job interview. You may also want to learn the art of negotiation. You might consider specialized topics, like resume and cover letter writing or how to interview for specific types of jobs.

What are common career paths for someone interested in conducting interviews?

Those who study interviewing because they work or want to work on the other end of the process—conducting interviews—will often go into fields like human resources or business management. However, almost anyone who runs or manages a business will conduct interviews at some point during their careers. Learning more about the process can help prepare you to be an excellent business leader who makes good hiring decisions that improve your company. Learning more about the interviewing process can also help if you want to become an entrepreneur.

What are the benefits of taking an online Interview course?

Online Interview courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Interview skills. Choose from a wide range of Interview courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Interview courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Interview, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Top Interview Courses - Learn Interview Online

Explore the Interview Course Catalog

University of Maryland, College Park
Fundamentals of Technology Sales
Skills you'll gain: Closing (Sales), Sales Process, Technical Sales, Sales, Sales Strategy, Solution Sales Engineering, Prospecting and Qualification, Emerging Technologies, Needs Assessment, Negotiation, Forecasting, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, Information Technology
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
144 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Microsoft
Microsoft Python Development
Skills you'll gain: Data Ethics, Data Structures, Generative AI, Matplotlib, Version Control, Git (Version Control System), Data Transformation, DevOps, Agile Methodology, Web Development, Data Cleansing, Scripting, Flask (Web Framework), GitHub, Debugging, Pandas (Python Package), Data Visualization Software, Restful API, Application Deployment, Test Driven Development (TDD)
4.1
Rating, 4.1 out of 5 stars
32 reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
ESSEC Business School
Mieux comprendre l'ESS pour mieux en parler
Skills you'll gain: Communication Strategies, Governance, Sustainability Reporting, Journalism, Community Development, Innovation, Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Social Sciences, Stakeholder Engagement, Economics, Interviewing Skills, Business Modeling
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Arizona State University
English Communication for Tech Professionals
Skills you'll gain: Business Writing, Presentations, Grammar, Rapport Building, Business Communication, Technical Communication, Verbal Communication Skills, Writing, Vocabulary, Business Correspondence, Interpersonal Communications, Communication, Public Speaking, Interviewing Skills, LinkedIn, Communication Strategies, Professional Networking
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
60 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
SAP
Designing an SAP Solution
Skills you'll gain: Technical Design, User Feedback, Project Design, Technical Consulting, Solution Design, Solution Architecture, SAP Applications, Technical Communication, Requirements Analysis, Business Analysis, System Implementation, Product Roadmaps, Business Requirements, Gap Analysis, Customer Engagement
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
79 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Board Infinity
Mastering BFSI Interviews: Resumes & Mock Interviews
Skills you'll gain: Professional Networking, Interviewing Skills, Finance, Financial Services, Test Tools, Banking, LinkedIn, Business Writing, Presentations, Communication, Interpersonal Communications, Resilience, Self-Awareness
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Colorado Boulder
Leading Sustainable Community Transformation
Skills you'll gain: Survey Creation, Needs Assessment, Systems Thinking, Interviewing Skills, Stakeholder Engagement, Community Development, Rapport Building, Stakeholder Communications, Stakeholder Management, Organizational Change, Resilience, Intercultural Competence, Environmental Resource Management, Data Collection, Focus Group, Change Management, Cultural Sensitivity, Systems Analysis, Research, Asset Management
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
223 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
University of California, Irvine
Finding and Preparing for the Right Job
Skills you'll gain: Professional Networking, Data Science, LinkedIn, Professional Development, Applicant Tracking Systems, Recruitment, Events and Conferences, Presentations, Artificial Intelligence, Job Analysis, Writing, Portfolio Management, Branding
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Advancing Women in Tech
The Art & Science of Product Management
Skills you'll gain: Cross-Functional Team Leadership, Technical Product Management, Product Management, Team Leadership, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), User Experience Design, Design, Artificial Intelligence, Interviewing Skills, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Technical Communication
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
147 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP)
A Consultative Approach to Working with Recruiters
Skills you'll gain: Recruitment, Human Resources, Talent Management, Recruitment Strategies, Consultative Approaches, Collaboration, Employee Onboarding, Interviewing Skills, Interpersonal Communications
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Colorado Boulder
Storying the Self: Telling our Stories
Skills you'll gain: Constructive Feedback, Storytelling, Empathy, Relationship Building, Initiative and Leadership, Communication, Writing and Editing, Public Speaking, Writing, Media Production
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of California, Irvine
Essential English for Business Professionals
Skills you'll gain: Presentations, Verbal Communication Skills, Communication, Non-Verbal Communication, Entrepreneurship, Microsoft PowerPoint, Business Communication, Sales, Interpersonal Communications, Project Management, Business Leadership, Business Writing, International Finance, Crisis Management, Marketing, Business, Vocabulary, Telecommuting, Human Resources, Leadership and Management
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
178 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months