Background

Background information can be valuable in any interview. If there is any information that you were not able to uncover in your research beforehand, there are always common background questions you can use during the interview.

Common research facts or questions covering background include:

1)      Circumstances of birth – When were you born? Where? Was it in a hospital, home, or some other conditions?

2)      Dates and places lived

3)      Education

4)      Honors

5)      Family Situation

6)      Residence

7)      Highlights of childhood

8)      Military Service

9)      Religious affiliations/activities

10)  Accomplishments

11)  Present status – job/school/care taker

12)  How do others work with this person

13)  Frustrations/Rewards of the job/activity

14)  Is this person happy/depressed? How so?

15)  Anecdotes about job/school/activity

16)  Dreams

17)  Is this what they want to do forever?

18)  Ambitions

19)  Philosophy about job/life

20)  Look around the office/home/environment they inhabit – what’s there that is uniquely them?

These are just of few examples of background research or questions that you might want to consider to help you have a more successful interview, and eventually, a more enjoyable story.

For the letter “C” I will be discussing and sharing a very memorable interview.