Career development questions to ask in one-on-ones

Where they want to go

• What would you like to be doing in two to three years?Copy
• Which parts of your job give you the most energy?Copy
• Whose job, here or elsewhere, would you love to have, and why?Copy
• Do you want to manage people one day, or grow as a specialist?Copy

Strengths and gaps

• What are you best at that we are not using enough?Copy
• Which skill, if you built it this year, would make the biggest difference?Copy
• What feedback have you heard more than once?Copy

Next steps

• What kind of project would stretch you in the next six months?Copy
• Who would you like to learn from?Copy
• What is one thing you could start doing next month?Copy
• What support do you need from me to get there?Copy

Checking in

• Has anything changed in what you want since we last talked?Copy
• Do you feel you are growing here? What would help?Copy
• Is there anything that might make you look elsewhere?Copy

How to run it

• Write down what they say and bring it back next quarter. Remembering is the most powerful thing you can do.
• Agree one concrete next step: a project, a course, a person to shadow.
• Be honest about what is possible. A clear "not this year, but here is what we can do" builds more trust than a vague promise.

What to avoid

• Only talking about promotion.
• Promising roles or pay you do not control.
• Having the conversation once and never again.