Italian Phrase
Che esperienza lavorativa hai?
Meaning
Literally, “What work experience do you have?” It asks the listener to describe their professional background, typically focusing on jobs, internships, or projects relevant to a new position.
When to use
Use this question in job interviews, networking events, or any professional setting where you need to assess a candidate’s or colleague’s past work history. It’s a neutral‑to‑formal phrase suitable for both face‑to‑face and written communication.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Cheesperienzalavorativahai?
Che (interrogative adjective)
Used before a noun to ask 'what' or 'which', agreeing in gender and number with the noun.
esperienza (noun)
A feminine singular noun meaning 'experience'.
lavorativa (adjective)
Feminine singular form of 'lavorativo', meaning 'work-related', placed after the noun it modifies.
hai (verb avere)
Second‑person singular present of 'avere' (to have), used here to form the question.
Word order
In Italian, the interrogative adjective + noun + adjective + verb order is standard for direct questions.
🗨In Conversation
Che esperienza lavorativa hai?
What work experience do you have?
Ho tre anni di esperienza nel marketing digitale, soprattutto nella gestione dei social media.
I have three years of experience in digital marketing, especially in social media management.
✕Common Mistakes
Che esperienza di lavoro hai?
While understandable, "di lavoro" is less idiomatic than the adjective "lavorativa" after "esperienza".
Che esperienza lavorativa ha?
Use "hai" when speaking to "tu" (informal) and "ha" for "Lei" (formal). Mixing registers can sound awkward.
Che esperienze lavorative hai?
Plural "esperienze" changes the meaning to ask about multiple separate experiences; the singular form is standard when asking for an overall summary.
↔Alternatives
Qual è la tua esperienza lavorativa?
What is your work experience?
Che tipo di esperienza professionale possiedi?
What kind of professional experience do you have?
Puoi parlarmi della tua esperienza lavorativa?
Can you tell me about your work experience?
Cultural Tip
In Italy, interviewers value concrete examples over vague statements. Mention specific roles, companies, and achievements. Keep the tone polite but direct; using "Lei" (formal you) instead of "tu" is common in formal interviews, e.g., "Che esperienza lavorativa ha?" for a more formal register.