Interviewing: Principles and Practices 15th Edition – Stewart & Cash

The Problem This Book Solves

Interviewing is one of the most common yet high-stakes communication events in professional life. Whether you are hiring a candidate, gathering information for a report, or counseling a client, a poorly conducted interview wastes time, damages relationships, and leads to bad decisions. The real challenge is that most people receive no formal training in the art of questioning, listening, and structuring a conversation for a specific outcome. This book eliminates that gap by providing a systematic, research-backed framework for mastering every type of interview.

Interviewing: Principles and Practices 15th Edition – Stewart & Cash at a Glance

Interviewing: Principles and Practices is the definitive textbook on the subject, now in its Fifteenth Edition (2018). Authored by respected communication scholars Charles J. Stewart and William B. Cash, Jr., and published by McGraw-Hill Education, this text offers a thorough treatment of the interpersonal communication process, the types and uses of questions, and the roles of both interviewer and interviewee. It covers a wide range of interview contexts—employment, performance appraisal, counseling, health care, journalism, and research—making it the most widely used resource for interviewing courses worldwide.

Unlike generic communication guides, this book is grounded in decades of academic research and practical application. It provides a step-by-step approach to planning, conducting, and evaluating interviews, with real-world examples and exercises that build competence and confidence.

Who Will Benefit Most

This book is essential for anyone who conducts interviews as part of their professional role, including:

• Human resources professionals and hiring managers seeking to improve candidate selection
• Journalists and researchers who need to gather accurate information through structured questioning
• Counselors, social workers, and healthcare providers conducting diagnostic or therapeutic interviews
• College students enrolled in communication, business, psychology, or journalism programs
• Managers and supervisors responsible for performance appraisals and disciplinary meetings
• Entrepreneurs and small business owners who interview employees or clients
• Anyone preparing for a job interview who wants to understand the interviewer’s perspective

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced professional, the systematic framework in this book will elevate your interviewing skills to a new level of effectiveness.

Skills You Will Gain

By studying this text, you will gain actionable knowledge and skills in these critical areas:

• The interpersonal communication process – Understand how verbal and nonverbal cues, perception, and listening shape every interview.
• Question types and strategies – Master open, closed, primary, secondary, and probing questions, and know when to use each.
• Interview structure and planning – Learn to design interview protocols that align with your purpose and context.
• Employment interviewing – From job applications to selection interviews, performance reviews, and exit interviews, cover the full cycle.
• Counseling and health care interviews – Develop skills for rapport building, active listening, and sensitive questioning.
• Information-gathering interviews – Apply research techniques for journalism, academic studies, and organizational investigations.
• Legal and ethical considerations – Navigate issues of privacy, bias, confidentiality, and informed consent in every interview setting.

Each chapter includes case studies, self-assessments, and practice exercises to reinforce learning and build real-world competence.

Why This Book Stands Out

While many books cover interviewing, most focus narrowly on one context—usually job interviews—and lack the depth of communication theory that makes this text unique. Alternative titles often ignore the interpersonal dynamics that separate a mechanical Q&A session from a truly effective interview. This book, by contrast, treats interviewing as a strategic communication process, not just a list of tips.

Another gap competitors leave open is the lack of updated content on digital and remote interviewing. The Fifteenth Edition includes coverage of video interviews, virtual assessments, and the challenges of building rapport through screens—a must in today’s hybrid work environment. Furthermore, the book is supported by McGraw-Hill Education’s robust online resources, including quizzes, case studies, and instructor materials, giving it an edge over standalone texts.

Finally, no other book matches the breadth of interviewing contexts covered here. From the hiring manager to the journalist to the therapist, the principles and practices are transferable across professions, making this a single investment that serves a lifetime of communication needs.

Author & Publisher Credentials

Charles J. Stewart and William B. Cash, Jr. are leading figures in communication studies. Stewart is a professor emeritus at Purdue University, where he taught interviewing and communication theory for decades. Cash, also a professor emeritus, has co-authored multiple editions of this text and contributed to the field through research and teaching. Their combined expertise ensures that every concept is grounded in rigorous scholarship and real-world application.

Published by McGraw-Hill Education, a globally recognized academic publisher, this book has undergone rigorous peer review and classroom testing over fifteen editions. The publisher’s commitment to quality is evident in the clear layout, detailed examples, and supplemental teaching materials that accompany the text.

Is It Worth It?

Absolutely. This is not a quick-read popular business book; it is a comprehensive academic textbook that delivers measurable improvements in interviewing competence. The depth of theory, breadth of coverage, and practical exercises make it the gold standard for anyone serious about mastering the interview process. Whether you are a student studying for a communication course or a professional looking to refine your skills, the investment in this edition pays dividends in better hires, more insightful research, and more effective counseling sessions.

At $29.99 for the digital version, the cost is negligible compared to the value of avoiding a single bad hiring decision or a failed information-gathering interview. The Fifteenth Edition remains current and relevant, with no major revision expected soon, making it a safe, long-term resource.

Add Interviewing: Principles and Practices 15th Edition – Stewart & Cash to Your Library

If you are a student, HR professional, journalist, counselor, or manager, this book is the single most effective tool you can add to your professional toolkit. Don’t rely on guesswork—learn the proven principles and practices that have guided generations of interviewers. Add to cart now and start building the communication skills that will set you apart. This reliable McGraw-Hill textbook, in its 15th edition, is available for immediate digital download. Order today and gain the confidence to lead any interview with skill and poise.