Podcast Interview Questions

Here are SOME possible questions I ask guests. Contact me if you would like to add your questions to the list.

ABOUT THE GUEST

  • Why do you do what you do? Why [occupation]?

  • What are you known for at work? 

  • Is that what you want to be known for, too?

  • Where is an area you would like to improve about yourself?

  • What are your short term and long term career goals? How do you plan to achieve it?

  • How do you define success in your career? (salary, title, happiness, etc.)

  • What’s your reputation at work?

ABOUT THE GUEST’S JOB/CAREER

  • Scan your resume

  • Walk us through a typical day in the life.

  • Fill in the blank: To succeed in this job, you need to be able to ______.

  • What are the challenges that come with this job?

  • Are there any special credentials, certifications or education you need in order to be in this role?

  • Is there a stereotype about people who work in [job] and would you like to confirm or deny any of them?

  • How would you describe the general vibe of the people and teams that work in your field?

CHALLENGES IN THE WORKPLACE

  • Mindset

    • When it comes to solving people-related problems in the workplace, like resolving disagreements, what is your thought process or approach? 

  • General People

    • Who was the best manager you had and why?

    • Do you believe a manager makes or breaks an employees experience at work? Why?

    • Who do you admire professionally? Who has been some of your best managers or mentors or even peers that you look up to?

    • Describe the best colleague to work with.

    • Describe the worst colleague to work with.

    • Have you had to work with people who complain so much, Debby downers? Do you have a good way of dealing with them?

  • Stress/Anxiety

    • What stresses you out or gives you anxiety at work?

    • What happens when you get stressed? Like do you have any physical responses to stress?

    • Do you feel that you manage stress well?

    • How do you manage stress?

    • What do you do to destress or unwind from a long workday or week?

  • Confidence

    • Would you say that you’re a confident person?

    • On a scale of 1-10, how confident of a person are you? Why? (Does it depend on the situation?)

    • How do you build your confidence?

    • Have you or do you suffer from imposter syndrome? What happened?

  • Diversity 

    • How would you describe yourself in terms of your race, ethnicity, gender, generation, etc.

    • Do you feel stereotypes have been placed on you at work?

    • How has your race, gender, ethnicity, age, looks positively or negatively impacted your career?

    • How you ever felt discriminated against at work?

    • Has anyone ever made you feel uncomfortable at work? How did you handle it?

  • Miscellaneous

    • Do you feel people in your field are fairly compensated for the value they bring [into the company]?

    • What’s your biggest pet peeve in the workplace?

    • How do you tell someone at work that they smell bad?

    • Have you ever cried at work? 

    • Have you ever been jealous of another coworker? Why?

    • Have you ever sent an email you regretted? What happened?

    • Would you say you have a good work-life balance? What do you do?

  • Climbing the corporate ladder 

    • Have you ever had to do work outside your job description? What happened? What did you do about it?

    • Is it easy or hard for you to say no to more work?

    • Have you ever felt taken advantage of because people knew you would always help out? What do you do about it?

    • Share with me your experience asking for a raise or promotion at work. Any advice?

    • Have you ever had a career roadblock? How did you get over it?

    • How do you know when to stop pushing yourself at a job?

    • How do you know when it’s time to quit a job?

    • What’s your rule of thumb about quitting a job?

    • What is your biggest regret about work or If you could go back in time, what would you have done differently in your career?

    • What has been the biggest learning moment in your career?

  • Managers-specific

    • Have you ever had to manage a friend? Manage your peers?

    • Have you ever had to fire someone? 

    • Have you had to manage up your own boss? How did you do it?

    • How do you deal with entitled employees? You see that a lot in San Francisco and maybe with younger generation.

  • Female-specific

    • What do you find tough about being a female at work?

    • Working moms, how do you feel comfortable pumping at work?

    • Working moms, how did you do it? What are the challenges?

LIGHTNING ROUND (3 MINUTES)

  • What was your very first job? How old were you?

  • What did you want to be when you grew up?

  • What college did you go to and what was your major?

  • Were you ever considered as the smart kid in class?

  • What do/did your parents do for work?

  • What did your parents want you to be?

  • If money wasn’t an issue,  you could be anything you wanted to be, what would it be?

  • Favorite tv show

  • What is a quote you live by?

  • Do you meditate?

  • What can I find on your desk at work?

  • Do you participate in any extracurricular activities inside or outside of work?

  • Let’s talk about your lunch habits. Do you eat at your desk while working, with coworkers? Do you buy or bring your lunch?

  • Would you pay $15 for a salad?

  • How do you get to work?

  • Do you wear the same clothes every day or style it up?

CAREER ADVICE

  • What advice would you give someone who is in the transition of figuring out the right career path?

  • What is your advice for someone who wants to advance in their career?

  • What’s your advice for someone who just wants to do well in their career?

  • What is your advice for new managers? What are some first steps they should take?

  • Any books, articles, resources you recommend?