15 Fact Finding Interview Questions and Answers

When you’re in an interview, the questions you ask can be just as important as the answers you give. Asking the right questions can help you gather the information you need to make a decision about whether or not a job is right for you.

Fact-finding questions are designed to help you learn more about a company, a position, or a person. These questions can be used at any point during an interview, but they’re especially helpful when you’re trying to decide if a job is a good fit.

In this article, we’ll share some of the best fact-finding questions to ask in an interview. We’ll also provide sample answers to help you get started.

1. What is fact finding?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you know what fact finding is and how it can be used in the workplace. You can answer this question by defining fact finding, explaining why it’s important and giving examples of how you’ve used fact finding skills in previous roles.

Example: “Fact finding is a research method where I gather information about a topic or issue from multiple sources. This helps me get all sides of a story so I can make informed decisions when presenting my findings to clients or managers. In my last role as a private investigator, I was hired to find out if a client’s spouse was cheating on them. I conducted surveillance at their home and work for several days before concluding that they were indeed having an affair.”

2. Why do organizations hire fact finders?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you understand why fact finding is important in business. You can answer this question by explaining how fact finding helps organizations make better decisions and achieve their goals.

Example: “Fact finders are hired because they have a unique skill set that allows them to gather information about an organization’s operations, customers and competitors. This information can be used to create strategies for growth and improvement. I’ve been hired as a fact finder at several companies where I was able to use my research skills to help develop marketing campaigns, improve customer service and increase sales.”

3. What types of information can a fact finder gather?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience in fact finding. It also helps them understand what types of information you may be able to gather for their organization. When answering this question, it can be helpful to list several different types of information that a fact finder might gather and how you would go about gathering each type.

Example: “Fact finders can gather many different types of information during an investigation. Some common types of information include financial records, employee interviews, public documents and physical evidence. I have experience with all of these methods of gathering information and know when they are most appropriate.”

4. Can you explain the difference between primary and secondary evidence?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your ability to differentiate between different types of evidence. This can be an important skill for fact finders, as they often need to determine which sources are more reliable than others. In your answer, try to explain the difference between primary and secondary evidence and how you use each type in your work.

Example: “Primary evidence is usually considered more reliable because it’s first-hand information that hasn’t been altered or changed by anyone else. For example, if I was looking into a company’s financial records, I would want to review the original documents rather than someone’s interpretation of them. Secondary evidence is typically secondhand information that has been interpreted by someone else. While it might not be as accurate as primary evidence, it can still be useful when used correctly.”

5. How does a fact finder verify that the evidence they have collected is true?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to conduct a thorough investigation. Use examples from past experiences where you verified evidence or used methods to ensure that information was accurate.

Example: “I always verify my sources before I collect any data. In my last role, I worked with a client who claimed they were being harassed by their neighbor. They said their neighbor would throw trash on their property and leave dog waste in front of their house. After interviewing both parties, I found out that the client had been leaving dog waste on their neighbor’s lawn as revenge for them parking too close to their driveway. By verifying the facts, I was able to find the truth and help the client resolve their issue.”

6. Can you give me an example of how a fact finder might validate evidence from multiple sources?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to assess your critical thinking skills and how you apply them in your daily work. Use examples from past experiences where you validated evidence from multiple sources, such as websites or documents, and explain how you used these methods to determine if they were valid or not.

Example: “In my last role, I was tasked with finding information about a company’s financial records. The client wanted to know more about their competitor’s sales numbers and revenue projections. To validate this information, I searched through public databases and found some of the same information on the competitor’s website. However, when I couldn’t find any additional information online, I called the company directly and asked for an employee who could provide me with the information I needed.”

7. What are some ways to protect confidential or private information during a fact-finding process?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your ability to protect confidential information during a fact-finding process. This is especially important if you’re interviewing for a position that requires you to work with sensitive or private information, such as an investigative journalist. In your answer, explain how you would handle confidential information and what steps you would take to ensure it remains secure.

Example: “I always use the utmost discretion when handling any confidential information I come across during my research. For example, while working on a story about a local politician’s financial records, I found evidence of embezzlement. Instead of publishing the article immediately, I waited until after the election so the public could vote based on the facts rather than rumors.”

8. What’s your opinion on the role of technology in speeding up fact-finding processes?

Technology has changed the way fact-finding professionals do their jobs. It’s important to show that you understand how technology can help you perform your job more efficiently and effectively. You should explain how you use technology in your daily work, including any software or apps you’ve used for research purposes.

Example: “Technology is a great tool for speeding up fact-finding processes. I have experience using several different types of software and applications to gather information quickly. For example, I recently worked on a case where my client needed background checks on potential employees. I was able to use an online database to find public records about each person within 24 hours.”

9. Do you think it’s better to use automated tools for gathering facts, or should we rely more on human intervention?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you approach fact-finding and whether your skills align with their company’s processes. Your answer should show that you understand the benefits of both approaches, but also highlight which one you prefer to use in different situations.

Example: “I think it depends on the situation. Automated tools are great for gathering large amounts of data quickly, however, they may not be able to find all relevant information. Human intervention is more time consuming, but I believe it’s better to have a human look at each piece of information before deciding what to keep or discard. In my previous role, we used a combination of automated tools and human intervention depending on the project.”

10. What type of data analysis techniques do you recommend when cross-referencing data across multiple sources?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to complete a fact-finding assignment. Use examples from previous experiences where you used data analysis techniques to find information or insights about a company, product or service.

Example: “I recommend using pivot tables when cross-referencing data across multiple sources because they allow me to summarize large amounts of data into more useful formats. For example, in my last role as a marketing analyst, I was tasked with finding out how customers were interacting with our brand online. Using pivot tables, I was able to combine data from several different sources, including social media platforms, search engines and customer feedback surveys, to determine which products were most popular among our target audience.”

11. What steps need to be taken before starting a fact-finding process?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the entire fact-finding process. It also allows you to show how you plan and organize projects. Your answer should include all five steps of the fact-finding process, along with an example of when you used each step in a previous job.

Example: “Before starting any fact-finding project, I first meet with my client to discuss their goals for the project. Next, I research the topic or issue that needs to be researched. Then, I create a timeline for the project so I know what deadlines need to be met. Finally, I develop a budget for the project.”

12. What would you consider to be the biggest challenge facing an organization that wants to improve its ability to gather facts?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the challenges that can arise when conducting fact-finding. You can use examples from your previous experience or discuss a challenge you would face if you were hired for this role.

Example: “The biggest challenge I see in organizations that want to improve their ability to gather facts is that they often don’t have a system in place to do so. Without a process, it’s difficult to know what information is missing and how to find it. In my last position, we developed a system where all employees could submit questions about any aspect of the company. We then created a database where these questions could be stored and answered by other employees who had relevant knowledge.”

13. Is there any value in using open-source intelligence (OSINT) as part of a fact-finding mission?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the tools and techniques used in a fact-finding role. OSINT is a collection of publicly available information that can be useful for gathering intelligence on a target or organization. You should explain how you would use this tool as part of your work, if applicable.

Example: “OSINT is a valuable resource when conducting research into a company’s financials or other public records. I’ve found it helpful to search through social media accounts, news articles and online databases to find relevant information about a subject. It’s important to note that some information may not be accurate, so I always verify any data before using it.”

14. What are some common mistakes made by people who are involved in the process of collecting factual information about various topics?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you know how to avoid common mistakes and make sure the information you collect is accurate. You can answer this question by identifying a few of the most common errors made when conducting fact-finding research and explaining what you would do differently in those situations.

Example: “One mistake I see people making often is not being thorough enough with their research. When they’re collecting facts, they only look at sources that support their argument or opinion rather than looking for evidence that may contradict it. Another common mistake is not double-checking all of the facts they’ve collected before presenting them to others. They assume that because they found the information once, they don’t need to check it again.”

15. What’s the best way to prevent bias when performing fact finding operations?

Employers may ask this question to see if you have the ability to remain impartial when conducting research. They want to know that you can be fair and objective in your work, so they might expect you to answer with a strategy for avoiding bias. In your response, explain how you would ensure you’re being as unbiased as possible during fact finding operations.

Example: “I believe the best way to prevent bias is by remaining open-minded throughout my entire process. I try not to make assumptions about what I find or who I’m interviewing because it’s important to me that I get all of the facts before making any conclusions. Another thing I do to avoid bias is take notes on everything I observe and document every interview I conduct.”