According to Taylor and Bogdan (1984), in-depth interviews are continual face-to-face encounters between the researcher and the informants’ perceptions on their lives, situations or experiences as expressed in their personal words. Therefore, in-depth interviews are a face to face conversation between the interviewer and interviewee which is normally the expression of their own words. This paper is going to discuss an in-depth interview which is rooted in an analysis of qualitative data. The interview is about the International work experience of a person Alex (fictional name) who has 36 years of work experiences in different foreign countries (Nigeria, Benin, Congo, Angola, Germany, Holland, France, Austria, Italy, South Africa, Russia etc). The reason for choosing this topic is the author’s own interest in the working experience of foreign countries. International work experience is very fascinating topic now-a-days. A lot of people after completing their graduation wanted to have an international work experience. Therefore, it is interesting to share the international work experiences of others with those who are interested.
The first section of this essay will discuss the methods used by the author to conduct a successful interview. This section will discuss a brief biography sketch to whom the author decided to interview and how, why the author contacted with the interviewee and arranged the interview. Later, the second section will discuss the interpretation of the most related elements of the interview. The author scrutinizes the interview by using background literature in this section. The final section will deal with the troubles faced during the interview and the strengths and weakness of the method based upon an evidence of the author’s experience. In appendix 1, an interview schedule with the pre-planned, pre-planned but not asked questions and spontaneous questions asked in this interview are included. Finally, appendix 2 represents a sample transcript with the most significant parts of the interview with the application of transcription techniques.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Method
3. Interpretation:
4. Reflection:
5. Appendix 1 – Interview schedule
6. Appendix 2 – Sample transcript
7. Bibliography
Objectives and Research Themes
This paper aims to explore the impact of international work experiences on the development of career capital through an in-depth qualitative interview with a professional possessing extensive global work history. The study focuses on understanding the motivations behind pursuing international careers, the challenges faced, and the specific skill sets acquired during these assignments.
- Drivers and motivations for international employment
- Development of career capital and professional identity
- Practical challenges including language barriers and health/safety standards
- The role of social networking in boundaryless career paths
- Methodological reflections on conducting qualitative in-depth interviews
Excerpt from the Book
2. Method:
According to Minichiello et al (1991, p.160), “researchers may use pragmatic or logic criteria in choosing an informant, such as, whether the person has the ability, desire and time to give a detailed account of their lives and experiences.” Therefore, it is essential to decide about to whom the author will conduct an interview and how the author will gain access to them to make the interview successful. Therefore, the author selected the interviewee based on some important criteria. The criteria are to communicate with someone who is not known to the author, who has good knowledge about the topic, who can speak English well, and who is a confident speaker. The first criterion is necessary to make the interview non-biased, the second criterion is particularly important to conduct a successful in-depth interview, the third criterion is essential for successful and reliable conversation. The author chose Alex as an interviewee because he fulfilled all the criteria which were crucial to conduct a successful interview. The interviewee is a neighbour of the author, and the author determined to ask the interviewee personally for the interview. Author explained about the interview process to the interviewee and the interviewee agreed.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the research topic of international work experience and outlines the structure of the assignment, including the methodological approach taken.
2. Method: This chapter details the criteria used for selecting the interviewee and the procedures employed to ensure a successful and ethical in-depth interview process.
3. Interpretation: This chapter analyzes the findings from the interview by connecting the respondent's experiences to academic literature on career capital and global mobility.
4. Reflection: This chapter evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of the chosen research method, discussing the challenges encountered during the interview and transcription process.
5. Appendix 1 – Interview schedule: This chapter provides a comprehensive list of the pre-planned and spontaneous questions utilized during the research process.
6. Appendix 2 – Sample transcript: This chapter presents the most significant segments of the recorded interview, transcribed to highlight key thematic insights.
7. Bibliography: This chapter lists all academic sources and literature referenced throughout the research assignment.
Keywords
International Work Experience, Career Capital, Qualitative Research, In-depth Interview, Boundaryless Careers, Global Mobility, Expatriation, Networking, Professional Development, Competency-based Perspective, Career Improvement, Social Capital, Work-related Skills, Research Methodology, Interview Transcription.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on an in-depth analysis of how international work experiences contribute to the enhancement of a professional's career capital, using a single case study of an individual with 36 years of global work experience.
What are the central thematic areas discussed?
The central themes include the motivations for choosing international assignments (such as financial incentives), the accumulation of "knowing-how" and "knowing-whom" career capabilities, and the practical challenges of working abroad.
What is the core research objective?
The primary goal is to evaluate the development of career capital through international assignments and to understand how these experiences influence future career opportunities and professional identity.
Which scientific method is utilized in this study?
The study employs a qualitative research methodology based on an in-depth, semi-structured, face-to-face interview, supplemented by literature review and transcript analysis.
What specific topics are covered in the main section of the paper?
The main sections cover the methodology of data collection (using VTR and note-taking), the interpretation of interview findings in the context of academic career theories, and a reflective analysis of the interview process itself.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include international work experience, career capital, boundaryless careers, global mobility, qualitative research, and networking.
How did the author ensure the quality of the interview?
The author established specific criteria for selecting an informant—such as good knowledge of the topic, confidence, and non-biased status—and used Kvale’s (1996) interview techniques to probe deeper into the respondent's answers.
What were the interviewee's primary motivations for international work?
The respondent identified higher salary potential ("Money"), tax advantages, and the repetitive nature of job opportunities in different regions as his main drivers for maintaining an international career path.
What role does "career capital" play in this study?
Career capital is broken down into three "ways of knowing": knowing-how (skills and knowledge), knowing-why (motivation and purpose), and knowing-whom (social networking), which the author uses to analyze the interviewee's professional growth.
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- PhD Candidate, MBA, BBA Md. Rajibul Hasan (Autor:in), 2011, Research Design and Dissertation, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/208276
