Asking thoughtful questions to ask to get to know someone is one of the quickest ways to turn a routine interaction into a meaningful connection. Whether you’re in a job interview, on a sales call, or sitting with an admissions officer in a college interview, the right questions reveal priorities, values, and fit — and they signal that you’ve prepared and that you care. This guide shows how to craft, practice, and deliver effective questions to ask to get to know someone in professional settings so you leave a stronger impression.
What are the best questions to ask to get to know someone in a job interview
When you prepare questions to ask to get to know someone in a job interview, you’re doing two things at once: gathering information about the role and signaling your interest in the team and company. Start with open, curiosity-driven questions and move to specifics based on what you learn.
Opening: “How did you come to this role, and what keeps you excited about it?” — humanizes the interviewer and prompts stories.
Team and role fit: “What are the biggest challenges facing the team right now?” Harvard Business Review.
Contribution: “How does this role contribute to the company’s top priorities?” Indeed.
Culture and development: “What growth paths have people in this role taken?”
Sample frameworks and examples:
Use behavioral follow-ups: After a story or example, ask, “Can you tell me more about how the team handled that?” These follow-up questions to ask to get to know someone deepen rapport and reveal real processes and expectations The Muse.
How do questions to ask to get to know someone differ in sales calls and college interviews
Questions to ask to get to know someone must match your objective. On a sales call you want pain points and priorities; in a college interview you want alignment and curiosity. The phrasing and pacing change, but the principle is the same: listen more than you talk.
Start with context: “What are your current priorities this quarter?”
Problem discovery: “What processes are causing the most friction right now?”
Impact: “If this were solved, what would that enable for your team?”
Sales calls — focus on outcomes:
“What surprised you most about this campus when you first visited?”
“What opportunities do students typically wish they had known about earlier?”
College interviews — focus on fit and curiosity:
In both scenarios, use tailored follow-ups. Good informational or mentor-style questions to ask to get to know someone can be found in curated lists for networking and informational interviews University at Buffalo Management Career Resource Center.
Why are questions to ask to get to know someone important and what purpose do they serve
Signal preparation and professionalism.
Reveal motivations, values, and working styles.
Help you evaluate mutual fit (role, product, school).
Build a memorable interpersonal connection that can influence hiring, sales decisions, or admissions.
Questions to ask to get to know someone do more than extract facts. They:
In interviews, candidates who ask strategic questions stand out because they demonstrate strategic thinking and curiosity. In sales, asking smart questions to ask to get to know someone uncovers purchase drivers and builds trust. Good questions also give you material for follow-up emails and post-call outreach, making the interaction durable.
Which types of questions to ask to get to know someone encourage deeper answers
Mastering types of questions to ask to get to know someone helps you move from surface-level answers to revealing insights.
Open-ended questions to ask to get to know someone — invite storytelling (e.g., “Tell me about a time when…”).
Specific clarification questions — zero in on details (e.g., “Which metrics define success?”).
Situational and behavioral questions — predict future behavior (e.g., “How did you handle X?”) The Muse.
Follow-up questions to ask to get to know someone — dig deeper based on what’s said (e.g., “What happened next?”).
Reflective questions — invite values and preferences (e.g., “What matters most to you about this work?”).
Primary types:
A sequence that works: start broad, get specific, then reflect. Example for a job interview: “How do you measure success?” → “Which projects contributed most to that metric?” → “What did you learn from those efforts?”
How can you overcome challenges when asking questions to ask to get to know someone
Common obstacles include nerves, lack of prep, and handling curveball answers. Here’s how to overcome them when you’re forming questions to ask to get to know someone.
Script 3–5 core questions to ask to get to know someone and practice them aloud.
Use a brief breathing pause before speaking; a well-timed question is a confident one.
Nervousness
Research the company, person, or program ahead of time and write down role-specific questions to ask to get to know someone. Sources like compiled interview question lists can help you anticipate common topics Syracuse Veterans 100 Common Interview Questions.
Lack of preparation
Use curiosity: “That’s interesting — can you say more about how that came about?”
When you don’t know an answer, pivot: “I’m curious about how that compares to other teams you’ve worked with.”
Handling tough or unexpected replies
When follow-ups are needed, use short probes: “Why was that the right approach?” or “What would you change if you could?”
What actionable steps should you take when preparing questions to ask to get to know someone
A simple three-step preparation routine makes your questions to ask to get to know someone high-quality and timely.
Research (15–30 minutes)
Read the company or program page, LinkedIn profiles, and recent news.
Identify 3 areas of curiosity (team, metrics, future plans).
Draft (10–20 minutes)
Write 6–8 questions to ask to get to know someone: 2 about the role, 2 about team/culture, 2 about growth and next steps.
Prioritize them; put your strongest 2–3 at the top.
Practice (10 minutes)
Rehearse phrasing aloud. Practice one follow-up for each question to ask to get to know someone so you can dig deeper naturally.
For interviews: “What would success look like in the first 90 days?”; “What’s a typical day on the team?”
For sales: “If you could change one business process today, what would it be?”; “Who else on your team feels this pain?”
For college interviews: “What student traditions have meant the most to alumni?”; “How do faculty and students collaborate on research?”
Sample question sets to ask to get to know someone
Cite thoughtful lists and smart formulations for inspiration and structure from major career resources such as Harvard Business Review and Indeed.
How can Verve AI Copilot help you with questions to ask to get to know someone
Verve AI Interview Copilot helps you craft and practice questions to ask to get to know someone by generating tailored question lists and real-time prompts. Verve AI Interview Copilot refines tone and relevance based on the role, and Verve AI Interview Copilot provides practice simulations so you can rehearse follow-ups and pacing. Try Verve AI Interview Copilot at https://vervecopilot.com to turn your research into sharp, memorable questions that land in interviews and sales conversations.
What Are the Most Common Questions About questions to ask to get to know someone
Q: How many questions to ask to get to know someone should I prepare
A: Prepare 6–8, prioritize your top 3, and be ready to follow up
Q: When should I ask questions to ask to get to know someone in an interview
A: After key answers and near the end when invited; save 2–3 for closing
Q: Are personal questions okay when asking questions to ask to get to know someone
A: Use judgment—safe to ask about career path or interests, avoid sensitive topics
Q: How do I ask questions to ask to get to know someone without sounding scripted
A: Practice aloud, use natural phrasing, and adapt follow-ups to their answers
Conclusion
Mastering questions to ask to get to know someone turns routine conversations into strategic advantages. By researching, drafting a prioritized list, and practicing both delivery and follow-ups, you’ll gather useful information and leave a memorable impression in interviews, sales calls, and college conversations. Use the right mix of open, specific, behavioral, and follow-up questions to learn what matters most — and let your curiosity do the rest.
Harvard Business Review — 38 Smart Questions to Ask in a Job Interview
The Muse — Behavioral Interview Questions, Answers, and Examples
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