APA Dictionary of Psychology

a meeting with a job applicant in which a personnel worker, executive, or supervisor (a) imparts information and answers questions about the company, including its products, working conditions, and benefits offered; (b) describes the job in which the applicant is interested; and (c) obtains information about the applicant that will contribute to a judgment of their suitability for the job. Despite concerns about its reliability and validity, the employment interview continues to be used far more frequently than any other selection technique (e.g., work-sample tests). Also called job interview. See patterned interview; structured interview; unstructured interview.