- Examples of Questions to Ask During a Job Shadow. Introduction.
- What is your occupation and job title? • …
- What kind of experience was required for this job? • …
- How many hours do you work in a typical week? • …
- What is the salary range for different levels in their field? …
- What do you like best about your job?
If you have a job shadowing appointment coming up soon, you’ll absolutely want to take a few minutes ahead of time to plan. This includes coming up with questions for your contact. Here are just a few general questions you’ll want to ask.
Job Shadowing Questions | Discover opportunities and Explore Careers by asking the Right Questions
What Is a Job Shadow Interview?
You might be familiar with job shadowing, which concerns itself with experiential learning in the workplace, usually arranged for the benefit of a high school or college student exploring a career. Externships typically range from a couple of hours to a full workday and can be done in person or virtually. Through direct observation, students glean important information about a preferred field. This insight can assist them in making necessary decisions going forward as it relates to choosing their major, the necessary graduate programs, and future occupation.
While similar in some respects, a job shadow interview is on the whole a different experience — one thats reserved for an unrelated cohort. A job shadow interview, also referred to as simply a shadow interview, allows a job candidate to follow an employee around as she carries out her daily responsibilities at the company. This is normally done at the behest of the employer, although it can be requested by the interviewee when appropriate. Its typical for this to occur as one of the last stages of the interview process since the company wants to assess how youll do going forward if they give you the job.
It can be very costly to train new employees, upwards of $1,200 per employee, Forbes reports. Not to mention, it’s incredibly time-consuming. With a record number of opportunities in the job market, and professionals alighting for greener pastures, it is more important than ever to make sure employees are a good fit. The positive spin for job seekers is this is a two-way street. By shadow interviewing, both you and your prospective employer can ensure that the job is a good fit for both parties. Where else can you experience this form of “try before you buy” in a professional setting?
Treat the day of your shadow interview as another formal stage in the interview process. Arrive early, and come prepared with some questions to ask the person youll be shadowing. On top of assessing your technical know-how, assume the company is also monitoring your attitude, personality, and interpersonal skills. Remember to be courteous to the person youre shadowing and the rest of their colleagues with whom youll be interacting throughout the day.
Before the day of rolls around, determine if youll be undertaking any of the job duties yourself. If so, dress appropriately. Some shadow interviews wont require you to perform any of the responsibilities, however, a part of the interview will be determining how comfortable you are with these tasks, like using technology, managing data, or project management.
Job shadow interviews arent common across all industries. But some jobs — especially those in fields that require manual labor or specific hands-on skills — will have a potential hire shadow a current employee after a round of interviews. This form of job shadowing is generally unpaid unless you are already an employee and looking to move into another department or job within the company.
There are essentially two types of job shadowing interviews:
Virtually every job or career has some form of job shadowing — some may just be more formal than others. The following industries often include aspects of job shadowing:
How to Prepare for a Job Shadow Interview
When you are shadowing someone for a new position, it is important to be prepared. If the company is completely new to you and the shadowing is part of the interview process, do your research on them ahead of time. Find out what the company does and what it is about. Try to get as much information as you can about the position before you start shadowing.
If you are making a move within the same company, aim to understand as much as you can about the new position, field, or career ahead of time.
What is a day like in this position?
This is one of the first questions you’ll want to ask. After all, depending on how long you’re shadowing the job for, you may be experiencing the day yourself. You’ll want to know what to expect. You’ll also start to get an idea if it meets your expectations of the job. You may find it was nothing like you imagined.
It will obviously be good to know what they like about what they do. Ask this question to hear if the things they like about the job would be things you would like as well.
We’ve all got visions in our heads of what we think certain jobs might be like. They might not be as glamorous, or even as bad as you thought though. Asking the person you’re shadowing this question will help cast light on any preconceived notions you may have.
Each person interviewed here answered these questions and more. Browse the complete list of interviews and career options here at jobshadow.com.
Are you planning on Shadowing someone’s job? If so you’ll want to have an idea of what to ask that person while you’re shadowing them.
The earlier you find the answer to this question the earlier you can plan your career path. Perhaps you need lots of school like a general surgeon, or perhaps you need lots of time outdoors and on the water like a Pro Bass Fisherman.
FAQ
How many questions should you prepare for a job shadow?
You can also discover workplace skills and career-related experiences that are essential to being successful in your chosen field. Research the employer and/or industry you will be observing. Be sure to prepare 10-15 questions to ask during your time at the job site.
How do you ace a shadow interview?
- What are your triggers and what caused them?
- Is there anyone you hold a grudge against? …
- Do you feel misunderstood? …
- What do you dislike about yourself most?
- What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done and why did you do it?
- Are you happy with where you are in your life?
What is a job shadow interview?
