Starting a new job or joining a fresh team can be daunting, with everyone trying to find their place and connect. To ease this transition, why not introduce some engaging and lighthearted get-to-know-you questions?
In this article, we’ve curated a list of 222 authentic get-to-know-you questions you can use to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment. These are designed to break the ice, build connections, and foster a collaborative atmosphere right from the start.
10 Must-Ask Get To Know You Questions
1. What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend?
2. Do you have a favorite TV show or movie?
3. What’s your go-to comfort food?
4. Have you picked up any new hobbies recently?
5. What’s a fun fact about you that not many people know?
6. What’s one thing you always have on your desk?
7. What’s your favorite work-related tool or app?
8. What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?
9. What’s a work achievement you’re proud of that you’d like to share?
10. Do you prefer working in the office or from home, and why?
Fun & Engaging Get To Know You Questions
11. What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to try but haven’t yet?
12. If you could live in any book or movie universe, where would you choose?
13. What’s your go-to way to unwind after a long day?
14. If you could instantly master any skill, what would it be?
15. What’s a weird fact about you that most people don’t know?
17. If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why?
18. What’s the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done?
19. What’s a hobby or interest you’d love to explore more?
20. If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?
21. What’s your favorite memory from childhood?
22. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and how would you use it?
23. What’s a piece of advice that’s stuck with you over the years?
24. What’s something you’re really proud of accomplishing?
25. If you had to describe your ideal day, what would it look like?
26. What’s your favorite thing about where you live?
27. If you could relive one moment from your life, what would it be?
28. What’s the most interesting place you’ve ever visited?
29. What’s your favorite way to stay active or fit?
30. If you could switch lives with anyone for a day, who would it be and why?
31. What’s a talent or skill you admire in others?
32. What’s your favorite way to connect with friends or family?
33. If you could learn any language instantly, which one would you choose?
34. What’s a goal you’re currently working toward?
35. What’s the most memorable concert or event you’ve attended?
36. What’s your favorite type of cuisine, and why?
37. If you had to choose one song as the soundtrack to your life, what would it be?
38. What’s something that never fails to make you laugh?
39. What’s the best book or movie you’ve enjoyed recently?
40. If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
41. What’s your favorite way to give back to your community?
42. What’s a dream or aspiration you have for the future?
43. If you could create your own holiday, what would it celebrate?
44. What’s something you’ve learned recently that really surprised you?
45. What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received?
Surface Level Get To Know You Questions
46. What’s your favorite place to grab a coffee?
47. Do you prefer early mornings or late nights?
48. What’s your go-to comfort TV show?
49. Do you have a favorite book genre?
50. What’s your favorite type of workout?
51. Are you more into board games or video games?
52. What’s your favorite way to spend a Sunday afternoon?
53. Do you have a favorite holiday tradition?
54. What’s your favorite thing to do at the beach?
55. Do you prefer city life or country life?
56. What’s your favorite season of the year?
57. Do you have a favorite dessert?
58. What’s your favorite kind of weather?
59. Are you a dog person or a cat person?
60. What’s your favorite way to relax after work?
61. Do you prefer watching movies at home or in the theater?
62. What’s your favorite kind of ice cream?
63. Are you more of a coffee person or a tea person?
64. What’s your favorite snack to have during a movie?
65. Do you have a favorite podcast?
67. Do you prefer summer or winter vacations?
68. What’s your favorite type of music to listen to?
69. Are you into any sports or fitness activities?
70. What’s your favorite meal of the day?
71. Do you prefer reading physical books or e-books?
72. What’s your favorite pizza topping?
73. Do you enjoy cooking or eating out more?
74. What’s your favorite type of movie?
75. Do you like to keep a journal or a planner?
76. What’s your exercise routine?
77. Do you prefer indoor or outdoor activities?
Deep Get To Know You Questions
78. What’s a life lesson you learned the hard way?
79. What’s something you’re passionate about that most people don’t know?
80. How do you define success for yourself?
81. What’s a fear you’ve overcome, and how did you do it?
82. If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?
83. What’s a value that you hold close and why?
84. What’s a personal experience that shaped who you are today?
85. How do you handle stress during difficult times?
86. What’s a dream you’re currently working toward?
87. What’s a belief you used to hold but have since changed your mind about?
88. What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned from a mistake?
89. How do you find meaning in your daily life?
90. What’s a decision you made that changed your life significantly?
91. What’s a personal achievement that you’re most proud of?
92. How do you stay true to yourself in challenging situations?
93. What’s a relationship that has deeply impacted your life?
94. How do you deal with change or uncertainty?
95. What’s a book or movie that deeply influenced you, and why?
96. What’s a quality you admire in others, and how do you cultivate it in yourself?
97. What’s a moment in your life when you felt truly alive?
98. How do you define love and its role in your life?
99. What’s a personal belief that guides your actions?
100. How do you approach forgiveness, both for yourself and others?
101. What’s a piece of advice you would give your future self?
102. What’s a risk you took that paid off in the end?
103. How do you navigate conflicts in your relationships?
104. What’s a question you wish people asked you more often?
105. How do you measure personal growth?
106. What’s a cause you deeply care about, and why?
107. How do you find balance in your life?
108. What’s a decision you’re grappling with right now?
109. How do you stay connected to what truly matters to you?
Get To Know You Questions To Ease Social Anxiety
110. What’s your go-to comfort activity when you’re feeling stressed?
111. Do you have a favorite place that makes you feel relaxed?
112. What’s a small thing that always brightens your day?
113. How do you like to recharge after a busy week?
114. What’s your favorite way to practice self-care?
115. Do you have a favorite song that always puts you in a good mood?
116. What’s a hobby or interest that helps you unwind?
117. Do you prefer quiet moments or being around others to relax?
118. What’s a simple pleasure that you enjoy every day?
119. How do you stay calm in a stressful situation?
120. What’s your favorite way to spend a lazy afternoon?
121. What’s a cool fact about you that you’d like others to know?
122. What’s your favorite way to connect with friends or family?
123. How do you like to start your day with a positive mindset?
124. What’s your favorite way to wind down before bed?
125. Do you have a go-to playlist or podcast that helps you relax?
126. What’s a place you go to when you need to clear your mind?
127. How do you approach making new friends in social situations?
128. What’s a book or movie that brings you comfort?
129. Do you have a mantra or phrase that helps you stay grounded?
130. What’s a recent small win that made you feel good?
131. How do you navigate social situations when you’re feeling anxious?
132. What’s your favorite way to spend time outdoors?
133. Do you have a favorite scent that calms you down?
134. How do you balance socializing with alone time?
135. What’s a simple habit that helps you manage stress?
136. Do you prefer quiet gatherings or larger social events?
137. What’s a creative outlet that you enjoy?
138. How do you find peace in a busy day?
139. What’s a go-to strategy you use to manage social anxiety?
140. How do you stay present in the moment during conversations?
Get To Know You Questions For Job Interviews
140. How do you prioritize your tasks on a busy day?
141. How do you stay organized when juggling multiple tasks?
142. How do you handle low morale at work?
143. How do you approach problem-solving in a team setting?
144. What’s a skill you’re currently working on improving?
145. How do you handle feedback and constructive criticism?
146. What’s your favorite part of your current (or last) job?
147. How do you stay motivated during challenging projects?
148. What’s your preferred way of learning new skills?
149. How do you manage stress during tight deadlines?
150. What’s a work environment where you thrive best?
151. What motivated you to apply for this position?
152. What’s your approach to setting and achieving goals?
153. How do you adapt to changes in the workplace?
154. What’s a project you’ve worked on that taught you something valuable?
155. How do you build relationships with colleagues?
156. What’s your strategy for staying up-to-date with industry trends?
157. How do you balance collaboration and independent work?
158. What’s a challenge you faced at work, and how did you overcome it?
159. How do you ensure you’re continuously growing in your career?
160. What’s your favorite way to celebrate team successes?
161. How do you stay focused and productive throughout the day?
162. What’s a leadership quality you admire and try to emulate?
163. How do you approach making decisions under pressure?
164. What’s a piece of professional advice that’s stuck with you?
165. How do you handle conflicts or disagreements at work?
166. What’s your approach to work-life balance?
167. How do you stay creative in your role?
168. What’s a tool or resource you rely on to be more efficient?
169. How do you contribute to a positive team culture?
170. What’s a mentor or role model who has influenced your career?
171. How do you keep yourself motivated when working remotely?
172. What’s a professional achievement that you’re aiming for next?
173. How do you handle uncertainty or ambiguity in your work?
Get To Know You Questions For Weekly Meetings
174. What’s a goal you’re focusing on right now?
175. What’s something new you learned this week?
176. How do you plan your workweek?
177. What’s a recent challenge you’ve overcome?
178. What’s a project you’re excited to work on?
179. How do you stay motivated during the week?
180. What’s a small win from this week that made you feel good?
181. How do you prefer to organize your work tasks?
182. What’s something you’re looking forward to this weekend?
183. How do you keep yourself energized throughout the day?
184. What’s a piece of advice you’ve found helpful recently?
185. What’s a new skill you’re interested in developing?
186. How do you manage your time when things get hectic?
187. What’s a productivity tip that works well for you?
188. How do you stay connected with your team during remote work?
189. What’s something you’re grateful for this week?
190. How do you handle distractions while working?
191. What’s your favorite way to collaborate with others?
192. What’s a recent achievement you’re proud of?
193. How do you approach problem-solving when stuck?
194. What’s something that inspires you in your work?
195. How do you keep your work-life balance in check?
196. What’s a habit you’ve found helpful for staying productive?
197. What’s your go-to method for tackling a big project?
198. How do you keep yourself organized during busy weeks?
199. How do you like to start your day to set the right tone?
200. How do you like to celebrate when you achieve a goal?
201. What’s a creative approach you’ve taken to solve a problem?
202. How do you stay focused when working on a long task?
203. What’s a work habit you’re trying to improve?
Get To Know You Questions For Team Building Activities
204. What’s a team-building activity you’ve enjoyed in the past?
205. What’s a fun fact about your hometown?
206. What’s your favorite way to spend time with friends outside of work?
207. If you could have any superpower for a day, what would it be?
208. What’s a memorable team experience you’ve had in the past?
209. How do you like to kick off a new team project?
210. What’s your favorite icebreaker activity?
211. If you could instantly learn a new skill, what would it be?
212. What’s a unique talent or hobby you have?
213. How do you like to contribute to team projects?
214. What’s your approach to balancing individual and team goals?
215. How do you maintain strong communication within a team?
216. What’s a shared goal you’d like the team to achieve together?
217. What qualities do you admire in your teammates?
218. If you could work on any project with the team, what would it be?
219. What’s a recent team accomplishment that you’re proud of?
220. How would you approach a team member that you don’t like?
221. What’s your favorite team-building game or exercise?
222. How do you like to give and receive feedback in a team setting?
How To Build Rapport When Asking Get To Know You Questions
Building rapport is essential when asking get-to-know-you questions because it creates trust and a comfortable space for open, honest communication. Here’s how to do it.
I. Be Genuinely Interested
Showing real interest helps you connect with others and encourages them to share more about themselves. Ask about their favorite family tradition, favorite childhood memory, or even their go-to karaoke song to dive into more personal territory. Listen closely, stay focused, and show genuine curiosity about their stories and experiences.
- Focus on the person speaking and avoid distractions.
- Ask thoughtful questions like, “What’s your favorite family tradition?” or “Do you have a go-to karaoke song?”
- Show curiosity in their stories and experiences, especially those involving family members or childhood memories.
II. Listen Actively
Active listening shows you’re fully engaged and value what the other person is saying. Make eye contact, nod occasionally, and give them your full attention. Respond by summarizing or paraphrasing their points to show you’re really tuned in. This is especially true when they share something personal
- Lean forward or maintain an open posture to let them know that you’re involved in the conversation.
- Avoid interrupting while they’re speaking, giving them space to express themselves fully.
- If they’re sharing something exciting or sentimental, reflect that energy back in your tone or expressions to show that you’ve been genuinely listening.
III. Share Your Own Experiences
Sharing your own experiences helps build a connection by showing that you’re also open and willing to share. If they mention their favorite sport or a favorite childhood memory, share yours as well to create a sense of camaraderie. This balance between sharing and listening makes the conversation feel more like a 2-way exchange.
- Relate your experiences to theirs without overshadowing the conversation.
- Keep your stories brief and relevant to what they shared, like discussing your favorite books and TV shows if they mentioned theirs.
- Use body language and facial expressions to show that you can relate to their experience, like nodding or shaking your head.
IV. Maintain a Positive Attitude
A positive attitude creates a warm, welcoming environment for open conversation. Smile genuinely and use friendly language to set the tone. Whether you’re talking about light topics like a celebrity crush or digging deeper into their favorite family tradition, approach each discussion with enthusiasm and optimism.
- Humor can break the ice and make the conversation feel relaxed, so don’t hesitate to share a funny story or joke when appropriate.
- Use uplifting language and avoid negative comments that could dampen the mood.
- If the conversation veers toward a challenging topic, gently steer it back toward a more positive perspective. For example, if they mention a stressful situation, ask them what they’re looking forward to in the future.
V. Ask Follow-up Questions
Follow-up questions show that you’re paying attention and want to learn more. These questions keep the conversation flowing and help explore the topic in more depth. If they mention their favorite movies or pet peeves, ask for more details to keep the discussion going.
- Ask for elaboration or clarification on points that intrigue you, like their favorite family tradition.
- Use open-ended questions to encourage them to share more details, like “What’s your favorite sport and why?”
- Stick to what they’ve shared and build on it. If they mention a hobby or memory, ask for further details or stories related to that topic to show you’re truly interested in learning more.
VI. Show Empathy & Understanding
Empathy goes a long way in building trust and making someone feel understood. Acknowledge their feelings, especially if they share something deeply personal, like a favorite childhood memory or a family member’s influence. Offering a bit of support or encouragement can strengthen your connection.
- Acknowledge their feelings by saying things like, “I understand how you feel.”
- Relate to their emotions and experiences where appropriate, like sharing your own favorite childhood memory in response to theirs.
- Instead of giving advice right away, say something supportive like, “I’m here for you if you ever want to talk more about it.” This shows empathy without rushing to a solution.
VII. Use Open Body Language
Open body language makes others comfortable and keeps them engaged in the conversation. Keep your posture relaxed and welcoming. Lean in slightly to show interest, especially when they’re sharing personal details.
- Turn your entire body toward the person you’re talking to, not just your head.
- Having your hands visible rather than tucked away or crossed can make you appear more approachable and engaged. Gesturing naturally as you speak can also add warmth to the interaction..
- Maintain consistent, friendly eye contact to build a connection, whether discussing small talk or more personal subjects.
VIII. Be Respectful of Boundaries
Respecting boundaries keeps the conversation comfortable for everyone. Pay attention to cues that suggest discomfort, and don’t push for answers if someone seems hesitant. Whether discussing a light topic or something more personal, let them know that sharing is completely voluntary.
- If their voice becomes quieter or they shift away physically, it could be a good time to switch topics or move on from the question.
- When asking personal questions, phrase them in a way that gives them the option not to answer. For example, you can say “Only if you’re comfortable sharing, what’s been your most memorable trip?”
- Let the other person guide the conversation when it comes to personal topics. Follow their lead and match their energy as much as possible.
IX. Offer Compliments & Encouragement
Genuine compliments and encouragement can create a positive atmosphere and make others feel valued. Compliment their insights or experiences sincerely. Show that you’re interested in hearing more by offering encouragement and positive feedback.
- Instead of generic praise, focus on something unique they shared, like “I love the way you handled that situation” or “That’s a really creative solution.”.
- If they share something interesting, follow up with “That’s fascinating. Tell me more!” to get them to continue.
- Saying “I really appreciate you sharing that,” can go a long way in making them feel heard.
X. Keep the Conversation Balanced
A balanced conversation helps both parties feel heard and appreciated. Make sure to share the conversation space equally, so that neither person dominates. Encourage them to share their thoughts if you’ve been talking more, and smoothly transition between topics to keep the conversation interesting for both of you.
- If you catch yourself talking a lot, take a moment to pause and say something like, “I’d love to hear your take on this,” or “What do you think about that?” This simple invite keeps the conversation flowing and makes sure they feel included.
- As the conversation shifts, keep it smooth by connecting the dots. If you’ve just finished talking about work, for example, you can say, “Speaking of work, how do you like to unwind after a long day?” This keeps things interesting without abrupt topic changes, making the conversation feel balanced and comfortable.
- Keep the conversation dynamic by mixing lighter topics with more meaningful ones. For example, after discussing work or hobbies, you could ask something deeper like, “What’s something you’re really passionate about?” This shift keeps both parties engaged and ensures a well-rounded exchange.
Conclusion
Get-to-know-you questions are a great way to move beyond small talk and start meaningful conversations to deepen your connections with others. Whether you’re asking about someone’s guilty pleasure or diving into more professional topics, these 222 questions are designed to help you get to know them on a deeper level.
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FAQs
How can I ask authentic get-to-know-you questions without making it awkward?
Start with simple, open-ended questions that are easy to answer, like asking about hobbies or favorite foods. Let the conversation flow naturally, and gradually move into more personal topics as it feels right. Stay friendly and show real interest in what they share to keep things comfortable.
How often should I ask get-to-know-you questions at work?
Try weaving these questions into everyday discussions instead of saving them for special occasions. Ask during team meetings, one-on-ones, or even over a casual coffee break. This keeps the conversations natural and ongoing, helping you build rapport over time.
How do I balance professional and personal questions in the workplace?
Start with work-related topics, like goals or favorite projects, then gently shift to personal questions, like hobbies or interests. Pay attention to how they respond, and adjust if needed. The goal is to keep the conversation respectful and balanced between work and personal life.
Why is it important to ask authentic get-to-know-you questions at work?
Asking genuine questions helps build trust and stronger connections among your team. It creates a more supportive work environment where everyone feels valued and heard. This results in better teamwork and greater job satisfaction for everyone involved.
