Ask better questions to get better career advice – 25 questions to ask for career advice

There are many different decisions we need to make about our careers. We can be unsure about what our next step should be, whether that is to stay in our current role, apply for a promotion, move to a new industry or upskill with further study. We can also be uncertain as to whether we are on the right track for our future career.

That’s where career advice can help.

The perspective of more experienced people can provide fresh ways of thinking, open up opportunities and assist you in making some of the more difficult decisions that you may be facing in your career.

Asking for career advice can be as simple as asking “How can I be successful?” but this can often lead to a very generic conversation. Instead you could ask “What skills did you develop to help you progress in your career and how can I start working on those skills in my current role?” This type of question is more likely to result in some useful advice for you.

You don’t have to have your whole career worked out in order to ask for advice. Whether you are a student, recent graduate, employed for some time and looking for career progression, or even thinking about changing careers, the questions below can help you to figure out your next steps.

In this guide we’ll explore 25 questions you can ask for career advice, why these are good questions to ask and how you can make the most of your conversations with mentors, managers, colleagues and career professionals.

Why ask for career advice?

The decisions we make about our careers can have a massive impact on our income, professional development, confidence and work-life balance. Therefore, it’s important to make informed decisions and to have as much information as possible to help us.

Getting career advice from other people means that we can learn from their experiences rather than having to make mistakes for ourselves.

A mentor can help you understand what employers look for when they promote employees, for example. A colleague can help you to develop a skill that is important in your industry, for example. A career counsellor can help you to explore your options based on your interests and strengths, for example.

You might also discover some things that you hadn’t considered.

You might have some transferable skills that can open up doors to a different industry, for example. Or you might be ready to take on more responsibility, but you haven’t told your manager yet. Or you might be interested in a career, but you hadn’t realised that you would need a specific qualification, for example.

We are not trying to get someone else to make decisions for us, we are just trying to get information, to get different perspectives and to make the best decisions for ourselves.

25 questions to ask for career advice

The types of questions that you ask will depend on your situation. If you are starting your first job, then the advice that you need will be different to if you are looking to move into management, for example.

The questions below can be used as a starting point. Choose the ones that are relevant to your biggest concerns.

Questions to ask about choosing a career

1. What are some potential careers that might align with my skills and interests?

If you are not sure what career you want to pursue, then a good place to start is to explore your strengths, interests and preferences.

For example, maybe you enjoy working with people, or maybe you are good at solving technical problems. Or maybe you like to organise projects, or you like to analyse information, for example.

You can ask a career counsellor, mentor or experienced professional how your current skills could be relevant to different careers, for example.

Don’t just consider the careers that you are familiar with. You might find that there are some opportunities in a career that you aren’t familiar with, but which are surprisingly relevant to your strengths.

If you are unsure which career suits your interests and strengths, explore the South African Department of Higher Education and Training’s Khetha Career Guidance service 

2. What does a typical day in this profession look like?

You might find a job title that sounds interesting, but you don’t really know what the day-to-day work is like.

Before you make a decision to pursue a certain career path, ask someone who works in that field what a typical day is like. What are their responsibilities? What are some of the challenges that they face? How many hours do they work? What skills do they use most?

You might find that there is more admin work, or client interaction, or travel, or problem solving than you had expected, for example.

Knowing what a typical day is like in a profession can help you to determine whether it is a good fit for your expectations and preferred working style.

3. What skills and qualifications do employers look for?

The requirements for entry can vary from industry to industry.

Some roles might require formal qualifications, professional registration or specific technical knowledge, for example. Other roles might place more emphasis on practical experience, communication and demonstrated ability, for example.

Ask what qualifications are required. What qualifications are optional? What skills do employers look for?

Then you can look at current job postings to see if the advice that you are getting is relevant to the types of opportunities that you are interested in.

Before enrolling in a course, use the SAQA registered qualifications database  to research registered qualifications and unit standards. Check the relevant professional body’s requirements too.

4. What should I consider before pursuing this career?

There is more to career decisions than just salary or job titles, for example.

You might need to consider the availability of jobs, opportunities for advancement, financial stability, working conditions and the time required to gain relevant qualifications, for example.

Ask someone with experience in the field what the pros and cons are of that profession, for example.

You might find that there are some potential challenges that you can be aware of before you invest a lot of time or money in a certain career path, for example.

5. How can I get experience if I’m just starting out?

It can be difficult to get your first opportunity if employers are looking for experience that you don’t have the chance to get yet, for example.

Ask about opportunities for internships, volunteering, entry-level roles, practical projects, apprenticeships or helping with relevant tasks, for example.

For example, if you are interested in digital marketing, then you could create a small portfolio by making sample content, analysing a website or helping a community organisation with their online presence, for example.

The best option will depend on your field, but getting some practical experience can help you to demonstrate your abilities before you get a full-time role.

Questions to ask about career growth and advancement

6. What helped you progress in your career?

If you are talking to someone that you admire, then you can ask how they got to where they are today, for example.

What were some key experiences, decisions or skills that helped them?

You might learn about some opportunities that you hadn’t considered, for example. Maybe they volunteered for some challenging assignments, or maybe they asked for feedback, or maybe they developed some specialist knowledge, or maybe they built some professional relationships, for example.

But remember, just because someone else did something, doesn’t mean that it will work the same way for you. Use their experience to learn some useful things, but don’t assume that it is a foolproof formula for success.

7. What skills should I develop to progress?

You might need to do more than just be good at your current job to progress in your career, for example.

You might need to develop stronger communication, leadership, analytical, technical or project management skills depending on your profession, for example.

Ask your manager or mentor what skills you could develop to be more effective and better prepared for the next level, for example.

If you can, ask for specific examples. It’s less useful to know that you need to develop your leadership skills, but more useful to know what kind of leadership behaviours you should work on, for example.

8. How can I prepare for a promotion?

If you are looking to move into a senior role, then find out what it means to be ready for that in your organisation or industry, for example.

What are the responsibilities, experience and performance expectations for the role that you are interested in?

You might also ask your manager what gaps you need to address before you apply, for example.

This conversation can help you to develop a plan for growth, look for relevant opportunities and demonstrate that you are ready for more responsibility, for example.

9. How can I demonstrate my value at work?

Just because you are working hard, doesn’t mean that decision makers are aware of your contributions, for example.

Ask an experienced colleague or manager how you can communicate your achievements appropriately, for example.

Maybe you need to document projects that you have completed, or explain how you made a process better, or share some measurable results, or keep them updated on important responsibilities that you have, for example.

Keep track of your contributions so you can confidently talk about them in performance reviews or during conversations about promotions, for example.

10. How can I find a mentor in my industry?

A mentor can give you perspective, share their lessons learned and help you to think about professional decisions, for example.

Ask people in your network if they know anyone who has experience that aligns with your goals, for example. You can also look into professional associations, industry events or workplace mentoring programmes, for example.

When you reach out to a potential mentor, let them know what you’re hoping to learn and be respectful of their time, for example.

You don’t necessarily need a formal mentoring arrangement, but even just talking to an experienced professional on occasion can be valuable, for example.

Questions to ask when you’re changing careers

Changing careers can be rewarding, but it often requires some planning. Before you make a move, ask some questions to help you understand the practical and financial implications, for example.

11. What of my current skills can transfer to a different industry?

You might have more relevant experience than you think, for example.

For example, customer service can help you to develop communication and conflict resolution skills, or if you do administrative work, then you might develop organisation, record keeping and coordination skills, or if you have experience with supervision, then you might demonstrate leadership and decision making, for example.

Ask someone familiar with the industry that you’re interested in what current skills of yours employers might value, for example.

This can help you to identify some roles where you might not have to start from scratch, for example.

12. What is the most realistic path to get into this field?

Some career changes can be done with transferable skills and practical experience, but other career changes might require formal training, professional registration or more time to prepare, for example.

Ask about different paths to entry, for example. What are the pros and cons of each?

Maybe you’ll find that a related role can be a practical stepping stone to the profession that you’re interested in, for example.

Before you make a commitment to a course or leave your current role, research requirements for real jobs, talk to people who know the industry, for example.

13. How much time and money might this transition take?

Changing careers can impact your finances, especially if you need to retrain or take a lower starting salary, for example.

Ask about the potential cost of qualifications, for example. How long might it take to develop the essential skills that you need? Can you study part-time or do some work-based learning, for example?

You also need to think about how long it might take to find a suitable role, for example.

No one can know for sure, so use current information and make a financial plan that accounts for uncertainty, for example.

14. What are some of the biggest challenges in this profession?

Every career has its challenges, for example.

Maybe the role offers attractive earnings, but there are demanding deadlines, irregular hours, lots of travel or a lot of responsibility, for example.

Ask people in the field what they find most challenging, for example. How do they handle those challenges?

This can help you to determine if the profession is a good fit for your personal priorities and lifestyle, for example.

15. How can I test out this career before making a big commitment?

You don’t necessarily have to resign or sign up for an expensive programme to explore a different career, for example.

Ask about job shadowing, informational interviews, introductory courses, short projects or helping with relevant tasks, for example.

These experiences can help you to understand the work and determine if you really enjoy it, for example.

If possible, test your assumptions before you make a decision that could have a big impact on your finances or family responsibilities, for example.

Questions to ask about finding a job

16. How can I make my CV more competitive?

Your CV should clearly communicate what you’ve done and why it’s important to the employer, for example.

Ask a recruiter, career advisor or experienced professional to look at your CV and see how it compares to what’s required for the roles that you’re interested in, for example.

Are your strongest qualifications clear? Are your achievements clearly explained? Are there areas that you need to improve?

You can also ask for feedback on your use of keywords, especially if you’re applying through online recruitment systems, for example.

Always make sure that your CV accurately reflects your experience, for example.

17. Where should I look for suitable job opportunities?

Different industries recruit in different ways, for example.

Maybe some employers advertise on general job boards, or maybe they use specialist recruitment agencies, professional networks, industry websites or their own careers pages, for example.

Ask people in your target field where they usually find opportunities, for example.

Maybe you’ll learn about professional associations, industry events or legitimate recruitment networks that you hadn’t considered, for example.

South African job seekers can register on Employment Services of South Africa (ESSA)  to create a CV profile and search for available work and learning opportunities

18. How can I prepare for interviews in this industry?

The expectations for interviews can vary depending on the profession and seniority, for example.

Maybe you’ll need to do technical assessments or practical demonstrations, or maybe there’s a lot of focus on behavioural questions, communication or examples of previous work, for example.

Ask an experienced professional what questions candidates should prepare for, for example. What do employers usually look for in strong answers?

Practise talking about your experience with specific examples, research the employer before the interview, for example.

Don’t try to memorise a perfect script, just make sure that you can clearly and honestly communicate your suitability, for example.

19. What mistakes should I avoid when applying for jobs?

Someone who regularly hires candidates might have some valuable insights into common application mistakes, for example.

Ask if there are common issues with candidates struggling with unclear CVs, generic cover letters, poor preparation for interviews or unrealistic expectations, for example.

Maybe you’ll learn that some candidates don’t research the organisation, or they can’t explain why they want the role, for example.

Use this information to improve your application process, but don’t assume that all employers do things the exact same way, for example.

20. How can I improve my professional network?

Professional relationships can help you to learn about industries, share knowledge and discover opportunities, for example.

Ask how people in your field build meaningful professional relationships, for example.

Maybe they attend industry events, or maybe they join professional groups, or maybe they participate in relevant discussions, or maybe they reconnect with former colleagues, for example.

You don’t have to ask strangers for jobs when you’re networking, just show a genuine interest in other people’s work, look for opportunities to share useful information, for example.

Questions to ask your manager about career development

If you’re already employed, then your manager can be an important source of career advice, for example.

21. What am I doing well? Where can I improve?

Constructive feedback can help you to understand your strengths and areas that you need to work on, for example.

Ask your manager for specific examples of what you’re doing well, for example. Where could you improve?

Maybe you can ask what skills would help you to do your current role better, or help you to prepare for future responsibilities, for example.

Listen carefully, ask clarifying questions, agree on some practical actions if appropriate, for example.

22. Are there opportunities to take on more responsibility?

Maybe you’re ready to develop some new skills, but you don’t have the opportunity to demonstrate them, for example.

Ask if there are opportunities to help with a project, or coordinate a task, or help a colleague, or get involved with a cross-functional initiative, for example.

These opportunities can help you to gain experience and demonstrate initiative, for example.

But be realistic about your current workload, agree on expectations before you take on more responsibilities, for example.

23. What would I need to demonstrate to be considered for promotion?

There’s more to promotion decisions than just tenure or being good at your current role, for example.

Ask what the expectations are for the next level, for example. What skills do you need to demonstrate? How do they assess readiness?

Ask for regular feedback so you can track your progress, for example.

Your manager can’t always guarantee a promotion, but a clear conversation can help you to understand what’s within your control and plan accordingly, for example.

Questions to ask about salary and work-life balance

24. How can I determine if my salary is competitive?

It can be difficult to judge your salary expectations without reliable information, for example.

Ask recruiters or experienced professionals about typical salary ranges for your role, for example. Take into account your location, qualifications, experience and industry, for example.

Compare their guidance to current salary surveys and advertised jobs, for example.

If you’re going to negotiate, then prepare evidence of your responsibilities, achievements and relevant market information, for example.

Don’t rely on a single person’s salary or an unverified online estimate to determine your worth, for example.

25. How can I build a career without sacrificing my well-being?

Career success can mean different things to different people, for example.

Maybe it means leadership and higher earnings, or maybe it means flexibility, meaningful work, financial stability or more time with family, for example.

Ask experienced professionals how they manage competing responsibilities, for example. What do they wish they’d considered earlier in their careers?

This can help you to think more clearly about your priorities, for example.

You also need to consider if a potential opportunity supports the lifestyle that you want, don’t just look at it from a title or salary perspective, for example.

How to ask for career advice without feeling awkward

It can be awkward to ask for help, especially if you’re talking to someone senior, or if you’re approaching a professional that you don’t know well, for example.

But you don’t need to make things complicated, for example.

Start by explaining why you’re reaching out, what you’re hoping to learn, be specific, be respectful, be mindful of their time, for example.

For example, you could say something like:

“I’m exploring opportunities in project management. I noticed you have experience in the field. Would you be willing to share a bit about what skills helped you get started? I’d really appreciate 15 minutes of your time.”

This is polite, clear and easy to respond to, for example.

If they agree to talk to you, then prepare a few questions in advance, you don’t need to ask all 25 questions in this article, pick three to five that are relevant to your goals, for example.

Listen carefully, take notes if appropriate, ask follow-up questions if you need clarification, for example.

Then send a brief thank you message, mention something useful that you learned, for example.

If they can’t help, then don’t take it personally, maybe they just don’t have much time, or they have other commitments, for example.

How to turn career advice into action

Getting the advice is just the first step, the real benefit is deciding what to do with it, for example.

After a conversation, take a few minutes to reflect on what you learned, for example.

What suggestions were most relevant to you? Did you find a skill that you need to develop? Or an opportunity that you should investigate? Or an assumption that you need to check?

Don’t try to change everything at once, just pick one or two practical actions, for example.

Maybe you need to update your CV, or research a qualification, or set up an informational interview, or ask your manager for feedback, for example.

Set a realistic deadline, review your progress after a few weeks, for example.

It can also be helpful to get advice from more than one source when you’re making an important decision, for example. Maybe a mentor can give you some useful personal experience, or maybe a recruiter can help you to understand hiring trends, or maybe a career counsellor can help you to explore your interests, for example.

Compare those perspectives with current evidence and your priorities, for example.

Ultimately, career advice should help you to make a more informed decision, not make you feel obligated to do what someone else did, for example.

Where to find reliable career advice

Look for advice from people and organisations with relevant experience, and a clear understanding of your career goals, for example.

Some useful sources might include:

• Career counsellors, especially if you’re not sure what direction to take, or if you’re considering a big change, for example.
• Mentors, professionals who can share experience and give guidance over time, for example.
• Recruiters, helpful for understanding hiring requirements, CV expectations and market conditions, for example.
• Managers and colleagues, helpful for feedback, workplace development and internal opportunities, for example.
• Professional associations, often have industry information, networking opportunities and development resources, for example.
• Official career information services, useful for researching occupations, training requirements and employment trends, for example.

These are some useful starting points, but the relevance will depend on where you live, for example. If you’re in South Africa or somewhere else, then you might also want to look at local employment services, professional bodies and current job postings to understand your labour market, for example.

Final thoughts: Ask better questions to build a better career

Knowing what to ask for career advice can help you to make more confident decisions about your professional future, for example.

Whether you’re choosing your first career, looking for a promotion, preparing to change industries or trying to improve your work-life balance, the right questions can help you to discover opportunities and avoid unnecessary mistakes, for example.

Start by identifying the challenge that you’re trying to address, pick a few questions relevant to that challenge, talk to someone with relevant experience, then use what you learn to decide what to do next, for example.

But remember, you don’t have to follow every piece of advice that you get, your circumstances, values, financial needs and ambitions are unique, for example.

The most useful career advice is advice that helps you to understand your options, and make decisions that work for you, for example.

You might not leave every conversation with a full career plan, and that’s okay, sometimes just getting one honest answer, a new perspective or a practical suggestion can be enough to help you to move forward, for example.