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clemson.edu/career
CENTER FOR CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
/ClemsonCCPD
17
EXAMPLES OF QUESTIONS TO ASK
Getting started:
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What training is required for this type of work?
•
What personal qualities or abilities are important to being
successful?
•
How do people find out about job openings in your occupation?
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How did you get this position? What are common career paths?
•
What types of training do companies offer people entering this
field?
•
Are there internship or volunteer opportunities?
•
What are typical hiring procedures?
•
What areas of knowledge are most important for advancement
in this field? What degrees? Certification?
•
If you were starting out again, would you do anything
differently?
DAILY WORK ROUTINE AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
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What do you do on a typical day in this position?
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What are your alternative career paths?
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How many people do you supervise and to whom do you report?
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What part of this job do you find the most challenging or
satisfying?
•
What are the positive/negative aspects of your field?
•
What are the “hot issues” in this field?
•
How many hours do you typically work each week? Do you often
work in the evenings or weekends? Can you arrange your own
hours?
•
What is a typical starting salary? Average salary? Other
benefits?
•
What are some of the rewards of your occupation?
•
What are the geographic restrictions in this field? How much
are you required to travel?
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION, INDUSTRY AND FUTURE
•
Please tell me more about your organization.
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How was your organization founded?
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What is unique about your organization?
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Do employees in this organization generally feel their jobs
are secure?
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Would you rather work for a smaller or a larger company? Why?
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Is there a demand for people in this occupation?
•
What are the problems you see working in this field?
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How does your job fit into the organization or department?
•
What is the “corporate culture” here, (i.e. is it formal,
informal, do people work autonomously, does everyone come
early, stay late)?
•
What are the toughest challenges you face in the organization?
•
How would you evaluate the future of this career field? How do
you see jobs in this field changing in the future? What areas
do you feel promise the most opportunity? The most growth?
•
What opportunities for advancement are there in this field?
How will this job change over the next five years? 10 years?
•
Is your organization expanding, shrinking or maintaining? Who
are the competitors in this field?
SPECIAL INTEREST QUESTIONS
•
What advice would you give a person entering this field?
•
What, if anything, do you wish you had known before you
entered this occupation?
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What professional journals in this field should I read?
•
What strategy would you suggest for a person to break into
this field?
DO NOT FORGET TO ASK
•
Can you suggest anyone else whom I could contact? When I
call him/her, may I use your name?
•
What is the long-term/short-term outlook for hiring in this
field?
THE FOLLOW UP
Assess the interview:
•
Did you get the information you needed?
•
How do you feel about this occupation?
•
Did you get an objective opinion?
•
Immediately after the interview, record any information you
might need in the future.
•
Keep records of everyone you meet (take business cards,
names and addresses).
KEEP IN TOUCH
•
Write a thank you letter/email within 24 hours of the interview.
•
Follow-up with future notes or phone calls to let the person
know his/her help has been of service and how you are doing
in your career exploration. This will further remind the person
of you and encourage him/her to let you know of future
opportunities.