How to ask someone what they do for work

Before you launch into the specific question of asking someone what they do for work, you should first initiate the conversation with an icebreaker comment, statement, or question. You should seek to make the other person feel comfortable.

• Use an open-ended question

Rather than asking a question that only requires a "yes" or "no" response, use an open-ended question that encourages the person you are speaking with to expound in their reply. For example, instead of asking if they work in a particular industry or at a certain company, you can ask "What line of work are you in?".

• Display interest

Once the person begins to answer it is very important to show your interest by actively listening to their answer. Look them in the eyes and engage with the proper follow-up questions to show you have been listening.

• Avoid making assumptions

It is important to not make assumptions about what someone does for work based on their appearance, background, or other factors you might already know about them. When you make assumptions it can lead to misunderstandings or worse, you might offend the person you are talking to.

• Be professional and respectful

Acting with professionalism and being respectful are two more important components to asking this question gracefully, and this will make the person you are communicating with that much more likely to open up to you. It is also important to respect the person's boundaries, if they are hesitant in answering this question, don't press the issue and respect their answer.