10 questions you can copy
Questions for a career conversation that promise nothing and listen well.
Career and growth
- Where would you like to be in two years?
- What would you like to learn this year?
- What would you need to do to be ready for [ROLE]?
- What kind of work would stretch you right now?
- Who at work would you like to learn from?
- What would a good year look like for you?
- What could I do in the next three months to help you move that way?
Learning and support
- Is there any training that would help you now?
- What do you wish someone had shown you when you started?
- What are you confident about?
How to use these
- Pick two or three questions. Not all of them.
- Ask one at a time, then be quiet and listen.
- Say out loud what you both agreed and write it down.
- Only agree what you can do. Do not promise a rise or a promotion you cannot give.
What to avoid
- Do not promise a pay rise, a promotion or a rating change that you cannot give.
- Ask about work only. Do not ask about health, mental health, home or family.
Official pages. Not legal or HR advice. If a one-to-one touches a complaint, a warning, discrimination, health or a safety matter, stop, listen, say you will speak to HR and follow your employer's procedure.
- Acas: Reviews and appraisals (what a review is for), read 5 October 2026
- EEOC: Prohibited employment policies and practices (pointer only, for US readers), read 5 October 2026
UK readers: the free Acas helpline is on its contact page. US readers: see the EEOC page and your employer's HR team.
What the full kit adds
This page shows 10 of them. The kit has the rest, and the files you fill in.
One-to-one meetings: agendas, questions and openers
Six agendas to fill in, 120 questions by purpose and 16 opening lines for awkward topics, with a note sheet and a follow-up message.
What is in it
- All 120 questions in 12 groups by purpose (this page shows 10)
- 6 agendas to fill in (Word) and a note sheet
- 16 opening lines for awkward topics, the follow-up message and a one-page guide
- 2 finished examples, including a one-to-one after a public mistake
$9, one price, no subscription. 30-day refund. Works with no AI.
Questions people ask
What is a good way to open a career conversation?
Try "Where would you like to be in two years?" or "What would you like to learn this year?" Then listen.
Should I promise a promotion?
No. Do not promise a rise, promotion or rating change that you cannot give. Write down what you both agreed and what you will do.
Is there an agenda for this?
Yes. The kit has an agenda for a career conversation, 45 minutes, to fill in, next to the groups on career and growth and on learning and support.
Is this legal or HR advice?
No. It is general wording. If a conversation turns into a complaint, a warning, discrimination, health or anything formal, stop and speak to HR first. In the UK, Acas explains the steps.
More
- One on one meeting questions for managers: 10 to start with
- First one on one with a new employee: what to ask
- All the words for managing people
- Free: 20 opening lines for hard conversations
General wording, not legal or HR advice. For anything formal, speak to HR. In the UK, Acas explains the steps. Official pages read 5 October 2026.