Haastattelija

Haastattelija is a Finnish term for a person who conducts interviews. The role appears in journalism, broadcasting, market research, and recruitment, and may involve live broadcasts, written profiles, or recorded discussions. A haasthattelija questions subjects, guides the conversation, and transmits information to an audience or evaluator.

Etymology: The word is derived from the verb haastatella (to interview). The agent suffix -ja/-jä forms haastattelija, meaning the person who performs interviewing.

In practice, a haastattelija prepares questions, researches subjects, and identifies themes. During an interview they listen actively, adapt questions, and balance openness with control of the flow. They must ensure accuracy, avoid leading questions, obtain consent for recording and publication, and protect the interviewee's privacy. In journalism, the interview may be conducted on radio, television, or print; in recruitment, the interviewer assesses fit for a position through structured questions and evaluation of responses.

Ethical and professional standards may be set by news organizations, academic institutions, or HR departments. Training often covers interviewing techniques, note-taking, handling sensitive topics, and bias reduction. The term is used primarily in Finnish-language media and professional contexts; in non-Finnish contexts the equivalent term is interviewer.