Pick A Profession
Find The Career of a Lifetime
When you sign up to conduct a meeting with a professional, it is always beneficial to be prepared with questions. Here is a list of possible questions you could ask...
Skills required:
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What general skills are required?
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What personality traits and professional characteristics are expected?
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What do you reccomend to be most prepared for this position?
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What type of education and training prepared you for this career field?
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What types of summer jobs or internships should I seek out as I continue my education?
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What classes did you take in high school/ college that prepared you for your job?
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Did you have to interview, take any tests, complete an internship or apprenticeship for this position?
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What kind of technical knowledge is required for this job?
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Is time spent outside of work on training or development?
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How do I find out about internships/job openings in this field?
Personal opinions related to job:
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What made person choose job?
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What do they wish they had known before starting the job?
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What advice do you have for someone considering this career?
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How did you know this was the right career for you?
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Did you consider any other careers?
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Are you passionate about your career? What makes you passionate about your career?
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What types of things were you interested in during high school?
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How did you get your current job?
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What do you like most about your job?
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What do you like least about your job?
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What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your job?
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How much does this career and job affect your personal life?
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What other careers or industries could you work in with your education and experience?
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How has technology changed this career?
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How has the economy affected this career?
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If the work you do was suddenly eliminated, what different kinds of work do you feel you could do?
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Is there anything else that I have not seen today or that we have not talked about that you think is important for me to know as I continue my search for the ideal career for me?
Assessing The Employer:
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How long have you worked for this employer?
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What is the opportunity for advancement at this company?
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How/Why did you choose this employer to work for?
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How does your employer differ from its competitors?
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What do you like most about working for this employer?
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What's the most valuable reward you receive from this job?
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What's the biggest stumbling block you see with younger job-seekers?
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How did you become interested in this type of work?
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Why did you choose this career?
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How did you get your job with this company?
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How does your job affect your time away from work?
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How did you prepare yourself for this work?
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What type of setting, hours, atmosphere, etc. can be expected?
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What obligation does this type of work place upon you outside of the ordinary work week?
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What types of employers hire people in this field?
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Do people normally move to another company/organization or do they move up in the company/organization?
Day Schedule:
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What does a typical day require? What are the specific duties and responsibilities?
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How much of your day is spent behind a desk? Out in the field?
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How much are you required to work outside normal business hours?
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How much flexibility do you have in terms of hours of work, dress, vacation, etc.?
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What choices do you have in making your work schedule?
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Do you work a shift?
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Are certain times of the month or year busier than other times?
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What kinds of things are you required to do as part of your job?
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Do you have to depend on others in order to accomplish your job?
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Do you take work home?
Future for job:
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How would you describe or estimate future prospects?
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How rapidly is the present career field growing?
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What do you see as the biggest changes in your field that will happen in the future?
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How are technology demands increasing or changing?
Money related:
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What are the salary ranges for different levels in this field?
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What types of fringe benefits are offered to you for your job?
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How are "raises" earned?
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What is the average starting salary?
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What are the salaries for experienced workers?
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How much do salaries vary in this career according to the employer, region, or industry?