50 Creative Icebreaker Questions for Work

First-time meetings are always a little awkward. Whether you’re meeting an applicant for an interview, starting a new job, or joining a new team, icebreaker questions are great for, well, breaking the ice and making everyone feel comfortable and share a little about themselves.

Come prepared with some of your favorite questions and help smooth over any awkwardness that may arise from new people in new situations. These questions can put interviewees at ease, make new hires feel welcome, or help you prepare for that company party.

The Benefits of Thoughtful Icebreaker Questions

Breaking the ice with thoughtful, fun questions isn’t just a casual activity. These questions help employees gain confidence in speaking up and can set the tone of the workplace. They can help alleviate the stress of a new environment and help people find common interests. 

Sharing about yourself also fosters a sense of belonging and camaraderie, creating a sense of openness and trust.

Icebreaker Questions to Use at Work

Get-to-Know-You Icebreaker Questions

1. What’s a funny childhood memory you have?
2. Are you more introverted or extroverted?
3. What’s your go-to activity when you have free time?
4. Where’s the most memorable place you’ve ever traveled?
5. What’s your favorite holiday and why?
6. Do you have a favorite sports team?
7. If money and time weren’t an object, what hobby would you try?
8. What did you want to be when you were a kid?
9. What’s your favorite movie, TV show, and book?
10. Give a quick description of your dream house.
11. What’s your favorite food/restaurant?
12. What’s something you collect?

Fun Icebreaker Questions

13. What’s your phone wallpaper?
14. If you were a boxer, what would be your introduction song?
15. What’s a weird fact you know?
16. What food will you never eat?
17. Have you ever had a bad haircut? Tell us about it.
18. Which actor/actress would play you in a movie about your life?
19. The government needs volunteers to colonize a new planet—would you sign up?
20. Are you a morning person or a night owl?
21. Which fictional world/time would you live in?
22. Tell us about your most bizarre dream.
23. If you could be any age for the rest of your life, what would it be?
24. What’s your biggest pet peeve?
25. If you had to participate in the Olympics, which sport would you choose?
26. You just won $1,000,000—what do you do with it?
27. What’s your favorite scent for a candle/diffuser/perfume?

Work-Related Icebreaker Questions

28. What was your first job?
29. How did you decide to go into this career field?
30. What job would you be terrible at?
31. What’s the most rewarding project you’ve ever worked on?
32. What’s a workplace hack that you love?
33. What are you most looking forward to about your work here?
34. What’s your favorite office supply?
35. What do you listen to on your commute?
36. When is your most productive time of the day?
37. If there was no dress code, what would you wear to work?

Virtual Teambuilding Icebreaker Questions

38. Show us an interesting thing in your home workspace.
39. What’s your favorite virtual teambuilding game?
40. What’s your go-to restaurant where you live?
41. Take a picture of your favorite view from your home and share it with us.
42. Do you wear professional attire on your lower half during virtual meetings?

Personal Growth Icebreaker Questions

43. Where do you see yourself in five years? 10 years?
44. What’s one habit you’ve developed that has positively impacted you?
45. What’s your favorite quote?
46. What skill would you most like to develop or improve?
47. If you could choose one word to describe your work style, what would it be?
48. If you went back to school, what classes would you take?
49. What’s your dream job?
50. How do you prefer to be recognized for accomplishments?

Best Practices for Using Icebreakers at Work

It may feel a little strange to have a scheduled time to play a get-to-know-you game at work, but being intentional with your icebreakers can make all the difference. Here are best practices for making sure everyone has a good time:

• Consider giving participants the questions ahead of time to prepare for it.
• Avoid questions that may be offensive or insensitive (asking about someone’s diet, physical attributes, religion, etc.)
• Structure the activity instead of letting everyone wander and ask questions at their own pace.
• Answer the question yourself first and give a mundane answer to take the pressure off everyone else.

Shatter the Ice to Build Relationships and Trust

Icebreakers at work are a great way to help teams get to know each other and create feelings of trust, friendship, and fun. We hope these questions and best practices will help you as you onboard new employees to your team or company.

For more onboarding advice and tools, contact Awardco today.