Why did you pursue your path as a technical professional? Most likely, it’s because you are truly passionate about the work you do. So, if you want to work for a company that will offer ways for you to pursue a passion, ask these 4 questions at your next interview!

1. Are there opportunities to learn about other departments?

Do you want to explore career opportunities or learn new skills? Ask about opportunities for interdepartmental projects. Companies that let their employees shadow each other will be a great fit for a passionate technologist like you. Companies that encourage growth will allow you to shift to a new path without having to leave.

2. Is there a formal or informal mentorship or training program in place?

Mentorship and training are key. Especially, if you want to take passion and apply it practically. So, if you’re not being guided in the workplace, chances are it will take you a lot longer to advance your career. Asking this question will help you gain the skills you need to be able to pursue all of your technical passions. If they don’t have a training program in place, ask if there are any sort of informal mentorship opportunities. If the answer to both of those questions is no, this may not be the right place for you.

3. Do you encourage side projects and experimental tinkering?

Passionate people thrive when they get to do what they love on a daily basis and tinker with their other side projects or experiments at home as well. Some companies really encourage side projects and experimental tinkering. In fact, some organizations will offer an hour or two one day a week for you to work on those projects in the office because they know that pursuing your passion energizes, motivates, and inspires you as well as educates you on cutting-edge technologies that you could end up using on their future projects.

4. Is career movement—either lateral or upward—common here?

Is there career movement? Whether it’s lateral or upward, career movement is a good sign for passionate people like you. Because it gives you the opportunity to pursue any path without having to start a lengthy job search every time you want to advance your career or make a lateral transition to something new. If the company you work for or the company you’re interviewing at foster opportunities for employees to create their own unique career paths, they’ll be a great fit for a passionate technologist like you!

You could pursue your technical passions at home and work for a company that has limited growth, learning, and tinkering opportunities in place or you could work for a company that fosters your passion so you can pursue it both in and out of the workplace! Ask these 4 questions to your current employer or during your next interview to see if the company has a culture that a passionate professional like you can thrive in!

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