Career Conversation Questions

Career Conversations provide the opportunity to speak with people who are currently working in a particular career field; this can be done in person, through email, virtually, or on the phone. You may also hear these referred to as “informational interviews.”

Time frame: 30-45 minutes, depending upon the availability of the person you’re meeting
Goal: speak with professionals about their job and career field or the organization for which they work.

Specific Job and Role Insights

Responsibilities and Daily Tasks:

What is your exact title?
What was your title when you first started here?
Can you detail the key responsibilities and tasks integral to your role?
What is a typical day like in your job?
How do you handle time management and prioritize tasks in your job?
Are there any unexpected challenges or aspects of your role that might not be immediately evident?
To what extent do you interact with customers/clients?
How does your use of time vary? Are there busy and slow times, or is the work activity fairly constant?
Do you work individually or predominantly in groups or teams?
How much flexibility do you have in determining how you perform your job?
Which other departments, functional units, or levels of the hierarchy do you regularly interact with?

Work Hours and Challenges:

What hours do you normally work? Are weekends or overtime common? Are the hours flexible?
What constraints, such as time and funding, make your job more difficult?
Are the time demands specific to this company, or would anyone in this career be expected to put in the same hours?
Do you ever bring work home with you?
Can you share any common challenges or obstacles faced in your job?
How do you navigate and overcome these challenges effectively?
What do you do if you cannot solve a problem on your own?
What social obligations go along with a job in this field?
How has your job affected your lifestyle?
What are the major frustrations of this job?
If you could change anything about your job, what would it be?
Is there a great deal of turnover in this job?
What interests you least about the job, and what creates the most stress?
What part of this job do you personally find most satisfying?

Skills and Career Development:

What particular skills or talents are most essential to be effective in your job? How did you learn these skills?
What are the educational requirements for this job? What other types of credentials or licenses are required?
What continuous learning strategies do you recommend for career growth?
What types of training do companies offer those entering this field?
How important is mentorship or networking for professional development in this field?
What skills or personal characteristics do you feel contribute most to success in this industry?
What is the most important thing that someone planning to enter this career should know?

Career Satisfaction and Growth Potential:

How is career satisfaction measured or gauged in this industry?
Can you provide insights into the potential for career advancement?
What do you find unique about your career field?
What sacrifices have you had to make to succeed in this field, and do you feel the sacrifices were worth it?
When people leave this career, what are the usual reasons? If you were to leave, what would be most likely to drive you away?

Preparing for this Career

Does your work relate to any experiences or studies you had in college?
How well did your college experiences prepare you for this job?
What courses proved valuable in this career? Do you wish you had taken anything different or in addition?
How important are grades or GPA for obtaining a job in this field?
If you were entering this career today, would you change your preparation in any way to better facilitate entry?

Career Path and Advancement

Career Progression and Influences:

What motivated or inspired you to pursue this career path?
Were there specific experiences or mentors that significantly shaped your career?
What was your major in college?
What jobs and experiences have led you to your present position?
What aspects of your background have been the most helpful?
What other jobs can you get with the same background
Advancement and Future Aspirations:
- How did you get where you are, and what are your long-range goals?
- What were the keys to your career advancement?
- Where do you see yourself advancing within this career in the foreseeable future?
- What advice would you offer to someone seeking long-term growth in this industry?
- If you could do things all over again, would you choose the same path for yourself? Why? What would you change?

General Questions About the Career Field

Industry Dynamics and Evolution:

What are the various jobs available in this field?
What is the employment outlook in your career field?
How much demand is there for people in this career?
Are there any recent trends or innovations shaping the future of this field?
How does the adoption of new technologies impact job roles and industry practices?
What emerging sectors or niche areas are gaining significance within the industry?
Salary and Opportunity:
- What is the typical entry-level salary in this field?
- What are the salary ranges for higher levels in this occupation?
- Is there a salary ceiling?
- What parts of the country offer the best opportunities in this field?
- Aside from visible compensation (money, fringe benefits, travel, etc.), what kinds of mental dividends (e.g., job satisfaction) does this career yield?
- Career Growth and Outlook:
- Which job roles or sectors are anticipated to experience substantial growth?
- Are there shifts in job demands or skills required for career progression?
- Can you outline potential career paths for individuals entering this field today?
  Market Impact and Future Predictions:
- How do external factors like market trends or global events affect this industry?
- Are there expected changes or disruptions on the horizon?
- How does the industry adapt to economic shifts or changing consumer behaviors?
  Sustainability and Social Responsibility:
- What initiatives does the industry undertake to promote sustainability?
- How essential are ethical considerations in the industry’s practices?
- How do companies prioritize social and environmental responsibility?

Company Insights and Culture

Company Values, Culture, Work Environment:

How do the company’s values and culture align with your professional goals?
What does the company do to contribute to its employees’ professional development?
How does the company foster diversity, equity, and inclusion in its practices?
What systems are in place to enable employees to give management feedback/suggestions?
How would you describe the atmosphere at the company? Is it fairly formal or more casual and informal?
How would you describe the morale of the people who work here?
Do you participate in many social activities with your co-workers?
Is there a basic philosophy of the company/organization? (e.g., people, service, or product-oriented business)?
What work-related values are most highly esteemed in this company (security, high income, variety, independence)?
What is the dress code here? Is it conservative or causal? Does the company have dress-down or casual days?
Innovation and Adaptability:
Share examples of how the company encourages innovation and creativity among its employees.
How does the company adapt to industry changes or technological advancements?
Professional Growth and Support:
Company Engagement and Positioning:
- What made you choose this company over others within the industry?
- How does the company differentiate itself from competitors?
- What is the company’s relationship with the customers?
Future Outlook and Employee Development:
- How optimistic are you about the company’s growth and your role within it?
- What recent changes or initiatives have enhanced employee development?
- How do you see the company fostering growth opportunities for its employees?

Advice for Career Changer

My current career is ________. How easy or difficult do you think it might be to make a transition from that field to your field?
The skills I use the most in my current career are _____. To what extent and in what ways do you think those skills are transferable to your field?
What skills needed in your career field do you think someone in my current career might be lacking and need to develop?
What would be the best kind of training to get to make the transition to your field?
The things I like the best about my current career are _____. Will I find some of those same things if I switch to your field?
The things I dislike the most about my current career are ____. Will I encounter any of those same challenges in your field?
What sacrifices do you think I might have to make to switch to your career field?

General Advice and Referrals

What do you wish you’d known before you entered this field?
Do you know other people whom I might contact who have jobs similar to yours?
With the information you have about my education, skills, and experience, what other fields or jobs would you suggest I research before I make a final decision?
Do you have any advice for someone interested in this field/job?
What kinds of experience, paid or unpaid, would you encourage for anybody pursuing a career in this field?
If I am unable to obtain a position in this field, what other fields would you recommend I consider?
Do you have any special words of warning or encouragement as a result of your experience?
What qualifications would you be looking for if you were hiring for a position such as yours? Subordinate to yours?
Do you have any written job descriptions for positions in your field/company?
Would you be willing to answer more questions by phone, email, or in person if I need additional advice in the future?
[If you feel comfortable and it seems appropriate]: Would you mind taking a look at my resume to see if you have any suggestions?
How would you react if you received a resume like mine for a position with this company?