Research Officer

☛ Could you describe the range of recordkeeping systems used in the organisation?

☛ Is records management software used in the organisation? Which sections use this system? What software or systems does it integrate with?

☛ Is electronic recordkeeping used in the organisation?

☛ What retention and disposal authorities do you have which cover records produced in the course of current and (if appropriate) historical business activity?

☛ Does the organisation have difficulty producing records when they are required (eg for litigation, audit, Ministerial or Parliamentary briefing, reporting)? If so, why do such difficulties occur?

☛ In a general sense, are the recordkeeping systems operating in your organisation adequate to meet the requirements of the organisation? Could you give more details?

☛ Does the organisation have formal recordkeeping procedures for staff to follow? If so, are these up to date and adequate?

☛ What level of prominence, resources and support from management do the staff responsible for recordkeeping have within the organisation?

☛ Are any of the organisation's recordkeeping requirements documented?

☛ Have you ever assessed corporate business information systems against recordkeeping requirements?

☛ Are disposal activities regularly undertaken?

☛ Do you regularly assess the effectiveness of your records management program?

☛ Have you assessed the organisation's use of metadata?

☛ What are frequent records management problems or concerns that you are aware of?

☛ Are there formal policies governing records management?

☛ What is management's perception of records management?

☛ Is the organisation compliant with State Records' records management standards?

☛ Is a thesaurus or other tool used to control file titling?

☛ Is the Records Management Unit consulted when new systems are purchased or developed?

☛ Where are the organisation's record, both paper and electronic, stored?

☛ What is the proportion of electronic records in the organisation?

☛ What strategies have previously been employed to improve organisational recordkeeping?

☛ What key records management objectives would you like to see the organisation obtain?

☛ Describe your experience with statistics and how it relates to this position.

☛ Talk about the differences between qualitative and quantitative market research.

☛ Walk me through your process for forecasting the sales of a new product.

☛ Talk about a product that you think is marketed well. What kind of research contributed to those results?

☛ What product is not marketed well? What would you do to improve their strategy?

☛ What is the first thing you do when looking at a new data set?

☛ Have you ever persuaded management not to release a product due to your findings? What was the outcome?

☛ What data collection methods worked well at your previous position? What didn’t work so well?

☛ How would you approach building a market in a new city? What information would you like to have to determine the best possible fit?

☛ How would you approach analyzing our customers and competitors?

☛ What do you think of our current marketing strategy? What would you do differently?

☛ What are the core areas of responsibility for the organisation?

☛ What are the reporting lines within the organisation and to external authorities?

☛ Does the organisation consider itself to be in a highly regulated environment?

☛ What is the organisation's attitude towards the degree of regulation?

☛ Who are the organisation's stakeholders?

☛ How does the organisation manage its external compliance regime (eg managing its performance in relation to the regulatory environment, audits, standards and best practice)?

☛ Does the organisation operate in a litigious environment?

☛ If so, can you give a general description of how it manages claims made against it (eg through one unit such as a legal team)? What are examples of recent litigation it has been subject to?

☛ Does the organisation have a risk management plan? Can you outline its major features and provide a copy?

☛ How are risks monitored and managed in the day to day operation of the organisation's business?

☛ What are the high risk elements of the organisation's business? Where in the structure of the organisation are high risk activities or processes performed or concentrated?

☛ Are there special policies or procedures in place to help officers contribute to external compliance or risk management within the organisation? If so, what are they?

☛ What role does recordkeeping play in managing risks and external compliance within the organisation?

☛ How does the organisation obtain feedback from its clients?

☛ How does it gauge community attitudes in relation to its performance?

☛ Has the organisation established any advisory or consultative bodies that address or represent community concerns in relation to the business activity or activities of the organisation. If so, what are they?

☛ Does the organisation have any statements about community relations or any special agreements or undertakings with clients or stakeholders that are documented (eg memorandum of understanding with stakeholders, service charters)?

☛ Is the organisation subject to frequent Parliamentary or Ministerial scrutiny? If so, give examples. How does the organisation manage its reporting to the Parliament and the government?

☛ Is the business of other organisations reliant on the activities of your organisation? If so, describe how.

☛ Has the organisation conducted internal reviews or audits concerning its performance and accountability recently? If so, what were the conclusions of review/report? (Get a copy if relevant).

☛ What degree of technological currency and competence does the organisation display?

☛ What are the organisation's current priorities and goals?

☛ Can you refer me to internal publications that will help define, at a detailed level, the organisation's business activity and recordkeeping requirements (eg policies and procedures, publications for clients or the community in general, technical codes or standards)?

☛ Can you refer me to any historical publications about the organisation?

☛ What functions and activities is your area responsible for?

☛ What specific processes do you follow when performing these activities? (Ask only if you are interested in identifying and mapping work processes in a particular area of business.)

☛ Do you have procedures that guide your work?

☛ Have you or other staff done a risk assessment of your activities?

☛ Do you administer any legislation?

☛ Is your work governed by any best practice standards?

☛ Are there any compliance checks made on your work?

☛ Do you interact with other business areas when performing your activities?

☛ Do you interact with external organisations when performing your activities?

☛ What business information systems do you use?

☛ Do you find these systems to be adequate?

☛ What problems have previously arisen with these systems?

☛ Do you provide services to the public?

☛ Who are your key stakeholders? What influence do they have over your operations?

☛ Has your area been subject to any litigation?

☛ Are consultants employed to carry out any of your work?

☛ What records do you create and why?

☛ What records do you refer to, if not create? Eg applications received from clients, reports from other areas of your organisation, records of previous contact with a client

☛ What recordkeeping system(s) do you use?

☛ Do you regard your recordkeeping as adequate - ie do you always have the evidence and information you need to meet your business needs?

☛ Can you always find information when you require it? If not, what are the problems that affect information access?

☛ How long do records need to be kept to meet your specific business needs?

☛ Are your records referenced and used by other areas of the organisation?

This is another question looking towards job commitment. Some people go through jobs like socks because they don’t have a life plan, and your answer can show insight into this. It can also be used for finding out if you are the type that sets goals at all in life, because those that make long-term goals are usually more reliable. Also, your goals can provide insight on your personality too.

You should respond with an answer that shows progression in your career is on track with your route in the company. It’s important to do your research on company prospects, this way you understand what to expect and if it’s in your long-term goal. Interviewers don’t want to set you on a path that won’t provide the results you want, resulting in you resigning.