Typical questions

Typical questions - the applicability of these questions may vary from one occupation to another.  Similarly, some of the items may be more important to  you than others in your own career planning and decision-making.

1. How long has the individual been employed by the organization and for what length of time has s/he held her/his current position?
2. What was the career path of the individual from college to the present?
3. What are the major responsibilities of the position?  What are the specific duties performed?  How do they spend 80% of their day/week?
4. What do they look for in hiring an individual, i.e. - what skills, values, etc.?  Does the company have a "profile" of the ideal employee?
5. What are some of the different kinds of organizations that employ people in this occupation?
6. What skills are most important for this kind of work?  Are there other fields in which the same types of skills are used?  What might be some related occupations?
7. What are the educational requirements for this career?  Would they recommend graduate or professional school training after college?
8. Are college graduates with limited work experience employable in this field?  If so, what types of positions would they most likely hold?
9. What would be the expected progression of positions if one were to enter this field and make it a career?  What might the accompanying salary scale be?
10. Is it possible to project future needs for workers in this field?  What factors might determine these needs?
11. What are the criteria used to evaluate performance in this field?
12. What is the typical "chain of command" in this field? (To whom does this individual report, etc.?)
13. What are the time demands that accompany this type of work? (How much time per week is expected or desired for peak performance?  Are evening time investments necessary?  Is the schedule a routine one, or do time expectations fluctuate?  If the latter, what causes this fluctuation?)
14. What abilities and personal qualities are of primary importance to this occupation?
15. Would work in this field be likely to exert any impact on one's health?
16. Is there a prevalent lifestyle among people engaged in this career?  If so, how might it be described?
17. Can the individual suggest others who may be valuable as sources of information?
18. Are there internships, part-time, and/or volunteer work related to this position that they would recommend?
19. Could they recommend sources for additional information (special books, trade publications, professional journals)?

1. What are the major satisfactions the individual derives from work in this field?
2. What are some of the frustrations that may characterize this type of work? (Are there certain kinds of problems that recur?)
3. To what degree is there pressure on this job?   How could that pressure be described?
4. What advice would the individual offer someone planning on entering this career?
5. To what extent does the individual feel his/her experiences are typical of others?
6. If they were starting out again, what might they do differently?
7. Could they give you names of other people who might be able to provide additional information?  May you use their name?