Questions to Ask Guest Speaker
Thoughtful questions that engage guest speakers, show genuine interest, and create meaningful dialogue during presentations and Q&A sessions.
1What inspired you to pursue this particular career path?
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What inspired you to pursue this particular career path?
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Why this works
Reveals personal motivation and passion behind their expertise, helping audience connect with the speaker on a human level.
2What was the biggest challenge you faced when starting out in your field?
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What was the biggest challenge you faced when starting out in your field?
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Why this works
Provides practical insights into overcoming obstacles and shows vulnerability that makes the speaker more relatable.
3How has your industry changed since you first started working in it?
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How has your industry changed since you first started working in it?
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Why this works
Demonstrates their experience and perspective on industry evolution, offering valuable historical context.
4What advice would you give to someone just beginning in your field?
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What advice would you give to someone just beginning in your field?
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Why this works
Extracts actionable wisdom for audience members who may be considering similar career paths.
5Can you share a specific example of a project or achievement you're particularly proud of?
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Can you share a specific example of a project or achievement you're particularly proud of?
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Why this works
Gets concrete details about their work and accomplishments, making their expertise more tangible.
6What trends do you see emerging in your industry over the next few years?
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What trends do you see emerging in your industry over the next few years?
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Why this works
Provides forward-looking insights that help audience understand future opportunities and challenges.
7How do you stay current with developments in your field?
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How do you stay current with developments in your field?
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Why this works
Reveals their learning habits and professional development approach, offering practical tips for continuous growth.
8What's something about your work that most people don't understand?
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What's something about your work that most people don't understand?
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Why this works
Uncovers misconceptions and provides insider perspective that adds depth to their professional knowledge.
9If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be?
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If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be?
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Why this works
Shows their critical thinking about industry issues and reveals their values and priorities.
10What skills do you think will be most important in your field in the next decade?
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What skills do you think will be most important in your field in the next decade?
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Why this works
Provides career guidance and helps audience understand what competencies to develop for future success.
11How do you balance work and personal life in your demanding career?
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How do you balance work and personal life in your demanding career?
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Why this works
Addresses practical concerns about work-life balance and shows the human side of their professional success.
12What's the most interesting project you're currently working on?
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What's the most interesting project you're currently working on?
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Why this works
Gets current information about their work and demonstrates ongoing engagement with their field.
13How do you approach problem-solving in your work?
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How do you approach problem-solving in your work?
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Why this works
Reveals their methodology and thought processes, providing valuable frameworks for audience members.
14What's something you wish you had known when you were starting your career?
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What's something you wish you had known when you were starting your career?
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Why this works
Extracts hard-won wisdom and helps audience avoid common mistakes or misconceptions.
15How do you handle failure or setbacks in your professional life?
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How do you handle failure or setbacks in your professional life?
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Why this works
Shows resilience and provides practical advice for dealing with professional challenges.
16What role does mentorship play in your career development?
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What role does mentorship play in your career development?
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Why this works
Reveals their approach to learning and growth, and may inspire audience to seek or provide mentorship.
17How do you measure success in your field?
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How do you measure success in your field?
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Why this works
Provides insight into industry standards and personal values around professional achievement.
18What's the most rewarding aspect of your work?
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What's the most rewarding aspect of your work?
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Why this works
Reveals what drives their passion and satisfaction, helping audience understand the emotional rewards of the field.
19How do you approach networking and building professional relationships?
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How do you approach networking and building professional relationships?
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Why this works
Provides practical advice for career development and professional relationship building.
20What would you do differently if you could start your career over?
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What would you do differently if you could start your career over?
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Why this works
Extracts valuable lessons learned and provides guidance for those earlier in their career journey.
Best Practices for Engaging Guest Speakers
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Listen Actively Before Asking
Pay close attention to what the speaker has already covered in their presentation. Avoid asking questions they've already addressed, and build on points they've made.
Ask Open-Ended Questions
Frame questions that invite detailed responses rather than yes/no answers. This encourages the speaker to share more insights and personal experiences.
Be Specific and Relevant
Make your questions specific to the speaker's expertise and the audience's interests. Generic questions rarely yield valuable insights.
Question Sequences
The Career Journey Sequence
The Future-Focused Sequence
Common Pitfalls
Don't Ask Questions They've Already Answered
Listen carefully to their presentation first. Asking about something they've already covered shows you weren't paying attention.
Avoid Overly Personal Questions
Keep questions professional and appropriate for the setting. Personal family matters or private details are usually off-limits.
Don't Make It About You
Focus on the speaker's expertise and insights rather than sharing your own experiences or opinions at length.