Pre-interview research

Definition

Pre-interview research involves gathering information about the subject or topic you will be discussing before conducting the interview. This preparation helps you formulate relevant questions, understand the context of the interviewee’s background, and builds confidence in your ability to engage meaningfully during the conversation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Pre-interview research helps identify key themes or topics that may arise during the interview, ensuring a more in-depth conversation.
2. This research allows the interviewer to tailor their questions to the interviewee's experiences, making the discussion more relevant and engaging.
3. Utilizing various sources such as articles, social media profiles, and previous interviews can enhance your understanding of the interviewee.
4. Effective pre-interview research can establish a rapport with the interviewee by demonstrating your genuine interest in their background and insights.
5. Not conducting pre-interview research may lead to missed opportunities for deeper dialogue and could result in less informative interviews.

Review Questions

• How does pre-interview research improve the quality of questions you ask during an interview?
  • Pre-interview research enhances question quality by providing background knowledge about the interviewee's experiences and accomplishments. This understanding allows you to craft more insightful and relevant questions, which can lead to a richer conversation. By knowing specific details about the subject matter, you can also ask follow-up questions that delve deeper into interesting areas, making for a more dynamic and engaging interview.
• Discuss the potential consequences of neglecting pre-interview research before an important interview.
  • Neglecting pre-interview research can result in poorly formulated questions that may not resonate with the interviewee or address key topics of interest. It could lead to a lack of depth in the conversation and missed opportunities for valuable insights. Additionally, without adequate preparation, you may struggle to establish credibility or rapport with the interviewee, which can hinder open communication and limit the overall effectiveness of the interview.
• Evaluate how pre-interview research contributes to building contextual awareness when preparing for an interview.
  • Pre-interview research is essential for building contextual awareness as it helps you understand the broader social, cultural, and situational factors that may influence your interviewee's perspective. By analyzing relevant historical events, trends in their industry, or personal background information, you can gain insights that shape your approach to questioning. This deeper understanding allows you to create a respectful and informed dialogue, ultimately fostering trust and enabling more authentic responses from your interviewee.

Related terms

Background Check: A process of investigating a person's history, qualifications, and experiences to verify their credibility and expertise.

Question Development: The process of creating specific and targeted questions that guide the flow of the interview and elicit informative responses.

Contextual Awareness: Understanding the broader social, cultural, and situational factors surrounding the interviewee that can influence their perspective.