Sample Questions for Planning Career Profile Interviews

Before preparing a questioning guidelines, you will have chosen a person to interview and done some preliminary research on the job. The knowledge about the career that you have gained through your research will provide a foundation from which to build a set of possible questions that get further information from the interviewee.

As you get started on outlining questions that you might ask at the interview, keep these two important things in mind

Hint #1: Make sure your questions require a response - Avoid questions that are answered by a simple Yes or No
Hint #2: Start the interview with the easier questions. This will help the create a relaxed atmosphere for the interview.
Hint #3: Question lists are to be used as a guideline for you during the interview. Try not to fall into the question-answer-question-answer trap. Remember you want to be spontaneous and be able to phrase questions based on the conversation you are having with the interviewee.
Hint #4: Be familiar with the questions you are going to ask - It is helpful to group your questions in general topic categories. Topics might include categories like Job Description and Duties, Education and Experience, Future Outlook for Career.

 

Sample Questions for Interviewing

1. What is your job title?

2. What is your job description? What are your main duties?

3. What are some of the things that you enjoy about your job? What are some of the things you dislike?

4. What skills and abilities are needed to be successful in your job?

5. What educational requirements are necessary for your job? What types of certificates and courses do you need to have? What post-secondary institutions offer the training needed to get needed skills?

6. What types of jobs are related to the type of work you do?

7. What advantages and disadvantages are associated with your career?

8. What are the future job market trends for people in your career field?

9. What advancement opportunities do you see in your career field? How does job experience and continuing education affect advancement opportunities?

10. What changes have you seen in your field over the past 5 years? What changes do you anticipate seeing in the future?

11. What is the starting salary for someone in this field? How are wage increases structured? What employment benefits such as sick leave, health plans and pension plans do employees in your field receive?

12. What advice would you give a young person who is considering choosing this field as a career path?