Questions to Ask During a Job Shadow
Strategic questions to maximize job shadowing experiences, understand career realities, and gather insights beyond what's visible in daily observation.
1What does a typical day look like in this role?
Click to see why this works
What does a typical day look like in this role?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Provides baseline understanding of routine, variety, and normal workflow patterns.
2What do you enjoy most about your job?
Click to see why this works
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals positive aspects, intrinsic rewards, and what makes the role satisfying long-term.
3What are the most challenging aspects of this work?
Click to see why this works
What are the most challenging aspects of this work?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows realistic difficulties, stress factors, and problems you'll face in this career.
4How did you get into this career, and what path did you take?
Click to see why this works
How did you get into this career, and what path did you take?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Indicates various entry routes, educational requirements, and how people actually break into field.
5What skills are most important for succeeding in this role?
Click to see why this works
What skills are most important for succeeding in this role?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows both technical and soft skills that matter most in actual work versus job descriptions.
6How much of your time is spent on different types of tasks?
Click to see why this works
How much of your time is spent on different types of tasks?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals true time allocation between appealing work and less glamorous necessities.
7What surprised you most when you started this job?
Click to see why this works
What surprised you most when you started this job?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Uncovers gap between expectations and reality that newcomers commonly experience.
8How has this role changed since you started?
Click to see why this works
How has this role changed since you started?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows career evolution, industry trends, and whether field is growing or contracting.
9What opportunities exist for advancement or specialization?
Click to see why this works
What opportunities exist for advancement or specialization?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Indicates career trajectory possibilities, growth potential, and long-term prospects.
10How do you balance work and personal life in this career?
Click to see why this works
How do you balance work and personal life in this career?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Provides honest perspective on lifestyle, hours, and whether sustainability is realistic.
11What education or training is required, and what was most valuable?
Click to see why this works
What education or training is required, and what was most valuable?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows necessary credentials versus what actually prepared them for real work.
12How collaborative is this work versus independent?
Click to see why this works
How collaborative is this work versus independent?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals team dynamics, autonomy level, and whether you'll work alone or with others.
13What do you wish you had known before entering this career?
Click to see why this works
What do you wish you had known before entering this career?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Provides insider wisdom, avoided mistakes, and realistic expectations setting.
14How do you handle stress or difficult situations in this role?
Click to see why this works
How do you handle stress or difficult situations in this role?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows coping mechanisms, pressure management, and emotional demands of position.
15What are the salary expectations and compensation structure for this field?
Click to see why this works
What are the salary expectations and compensation structure for this field?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Indicates realistic earning potential, benefits, and financial viability of career path.
16How do you continue learning and developing in your career?
Click to see why this works
How do you continue learning and developing in your career?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows ongoing education needs, professional development expectations, and growth requirements.
17What personality traits or work styles fit well with this job?
Click to see why this works
What personality traits or work styles fit well with this job?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals whether your temperament matches role demands and what types succeed.
18What's something about this job that outsiders wouldn't understand?
Click to see why this works
What's something about this job that outsiders wouldn't understand?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Uncovers insider perspective, hidden realities, and nuances not visible from outside.
19How has technology changed how you do your work?
Click to see why this works
How has technology changed how you do your work?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows industry evolution, tool requirements, and whether field is adapting or disrupting.
20If you could do it over, would you choose this career again?
Click to see why this works
If you could do it over, would you choose this career again?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Ultimate satisfaction indicator revealing whether rewards outweigh challenges.
How to Use These Questions
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Guide content not available