We meet new people constantly, but building new connections is still difficult. Asking questions about the people you meet is one of the best ways to learn more about them, so here are some questions to get to know someone. These low-pressure questions are great for sparking conversation in everyday settings like lunch breaks, chats at the office, or meeting up with a new acquaintance. Asking a lot of questions can sometimes feel like an interrogation, but these questions keep the vibe friendly and conversational.
These questions are also great for mandatory work events and mixers. These provide excellent networking opportunities; however, navigating what to say to others in these situations can be confusing. At professional mixers, the goal is to strike a balance between being friendly and making meaningful connections, without being too personal or too stiff. These questions to get to know someone can also help you do that, as they are conversational, suitable for professional environments, and open-ended.
Let’s dive into what to ask and why they are good questions.
Great Questions To Get To Know Someone
“What’s something you’re really passionate about outside of work?”
This opens the door to conversations about personal interests, often revealing someone’s values and personality.
“If you could instantly master any skill, what would it be and why?”
This question taps into aspirations and curiosity, giving insight into their goals or dreams.
“What’s your go-to way to unwind after a long day?”
Reveals how someone manages stress and what they find comforting or fun in their personal life.
“Is there a book, movie, or show you always recommend to people?”
Gives a glimpse into their tastes and can spark a deeper conversation around shared interests.
“What’s something most people don’t know about you?”
Encourages openness and sharing in a low-pressure way, which builds connection and trust.
“Have you ever had a job or experience that totally changed how you see things?”
Prompts meaningful reflection and often brings out stories that show character and growth.
“What’s one place you’ve always wanted to visit and why?”
Invites conversation about travel, curiosity, and cultural interests—often leading to shared dreams.
“What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend?”
Offers a window into their lifestyle and what they value in their free time.
“What’s something new you’ve tried or learned recently?”
Highlights a growth mindset and can lead to fun or inspiring stories.
Casual and Low-Pressure Questions
“Seen any good shows or movies lately?”
Easy and open-ended—people usually enjoy talking about what they’ve been watching.
“Got any fun plans coming up this weekend?”
Timely and light — it can lead to conversations about hobbies, friends, or how they like to relax.
“What’s your go-to coffee or snack order?”
Simple but personal—it can spark a fun back-and-forth and even uncover shared preferences.
“If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?”
Silly and imaginative—it often brings out laughter and quirky opinions.
“Are you more of a morning person or a night owl?”
Relatable and low-stakes — it gives insight into someone’s natural rhythm and habits.
“What’s your favorite way to waste time when you should be doing something else?”
Playfully self-aware — people often enjoy sharing guilty pleasures like scrolling TikTok or playing games.
“What’s the last thing you Googled?”
Funny and random — it can lead to a good story or a surprising fact.
“Have you ever had a weird or funny job?”
Casual but revealing—it brings out interesting stories without being too serious.
“What’s something small that instantly improves your day?”
Warm and feel-good, it gives insight into what brings them joy without going too deep.
More Questions To Get To Know Someone
“What’s a song you never get tired of?”
Music is personal and often tied to memories. It’s a great way to learn about someone’s vibe.
“What app do you use way too much?”
Relatable and a little funny, it sparks discussion about tech habits and guilty pleasures.
“What’s the best meal you’ve had recently?”
Food talk is always a win. It often leads to stories, recommendations, and shared tastes.
“If you won a free vacation tomorrow, where would you go?”
Dreamy and imaginative, it gives a peek into someone’s ideal escape or travel style.
“What’s your idea of a perfect lazy day?”
Encourages cozy, feel-good conversation and tells you what helps them recharge.
“What’s a totally random fact you love?”
Nerdy fun often leads to weird trivia or cool conversations that take a surprising turn.
“What was your favorite cartoon or show as a kid?”
Nostalgic and playful, it brings up memories and often overlaps with others’ favorites.
“Do you collect anything, or did you as a kid?”
Lightly introspective, it shows interests or quirks in a non-serious way.
“What’s your go-to karaoke song?”
Silly and lively, it gets people to let their guard down and share a bit of their fun personality.
Fun and Icebreaker-Style Questions
“What’s your go-to fun fact about yourself?”
A classic that lets people share something cool or random without needing a deep backstory.
“If you could instantly become an expert in anything, what would it be?”
A good imagination-starter that helps people reveal hidden interests or dreams.
“What was your first concert, or the most memorable one?”
Easy to share and almost always leads to interesting or nostalgic stories.
“What’s a food everyone loves but you just can’t get into?”
Playful and opinionated, but in a fun, low-stakes way.
“What’s a small thing that always improves your mood?”
Warm and easy to answer, letting people find common joys.
“If we had a group talent show, what would you bring to the stage?”
Silly and hypothetical, no one has to be serious, but it shows off personality.
Group-Friendly and Inclusive Questions To Get To Know Someone
“Which fictional world would you want to live in for a week?”
Great for sparking fun group debates — Harry Potter? Star Wars? Animal Crossing?
“What app can’t you live without (besides texting or email)?”
Casual and tech-relevant, it often leads to shared apps or recommendations.
“What’s a movie you’ll always rewatch if it’s on?”
Everyone has one, and it can lead to a fun round of movie recs.
“What’s your favorite thing about where you grew up?”
Nostalgic but not too deep, it invites positive stories.
“If you could swap lives with a celebrity for a day, who would it be?”
A little dreamy, a little funny, it’s excellent for imagining out loud together.
“What would your last meal be if there were no rules, anything goes?”
A crowd-pleaser because people get passionate about food!
“What’s a totally random hobby or activity you’d love to try?”
Encourages curiosity and makes it easy to relate to others’ “someday” dreams.
Easy Icebreakers With a Professional Tone
“How did you get into your current line of work?”
Invites a story and gives insight into someone’s path, without feeling like an interview.
“What’s a project you’ve worked on recently that you really enjoyed?”
Focuses on positive experiences and helps uncover professional passions.
“What part of your job do you wish more people understood?”
Encourages thoughtful conversation and can reveal unique challenges or insights.
“Are you working on anything right now that you’re excited about?”
A good way to tap into current interests and open the door to future collaboration.
“What’s something about your industry that’s changing fast right now?”
Topical and insightful, it’s great for learning and sharing trends across fields.
Cross-Industry Connection Starters
“What’s one skill you think everyone should learn, no matter what field they’re in?”
Sparks cross-disciplinary conversation and shared values around learning or growth.
“What’s something unexpected you’ve learned from your job?”
Leads to unique stories and reveals personality and mindset.
“What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?”
Opens the floor for meaningful reflection and often invites reciprocal answers.
“What do you wish you’d known earlier in your career?”
Insightful and a little vulnerable, it creates trust and connection quickly.
“What’s something you’d love to learn more about in your field?”
Signals a growth mindset and gives people a chance to share what excites them.
“Who’s someone in your field you really admire?”
Encourages people to speak about inspiration, values, and professional goals.
“If you had an extra hour each week at work, how would you use it?”
A creative question that often reveals what people want more of in their roles — like learning, mentoring or deep focus.