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One of the best ways to gain more information about an occupation or industry and to build a network of contacts in your chosen field is to talk with people who are currently working in that field. The purpose of the Informational Interview is to obtain information, not to get a job. The information you get can help you to choose or refine a career path, learn how to break into a field, and determine what skills you may need to gain to become more qualified for a specific position or field. Informational interviewing is the process of engaging an experienced professional in your field of interest, in a highly focused conversation that provides you with key information you need to launch or boost your career. An informational interview is not the same as a job interview, but it is probably the most effective form of networking there is.

Informational Interview Guides:

• 9-page PDF document, click here .
• 2-page (shortened version) PDF document, click here .

What is an informational interview?

An informational interview is a brief meeting between a person who wants to investigate a career and a person working in that career. These interviews usually last 20-30 minutes. The purpose is not to get a job, but to get information about jobs you might like so you can determine if they fit your interests and personality.

Some people who conduct informational interviews find that their dream job isn’t so great after all. They learn early enough in their career exploration to change their direction, while others have their career goals confirmed.

How do I prepare for an Informational interview?

• Identify the job/career that you wish to learn about
• Write out your list of questions to ask (see list of possible informational interview/networking questions in this document)
• Select the person/organization you will interview – be sure to choose people who have the same level of responsibility you would have if you entered the occupation. You can find people to interview by first asking family, friends and other people on your networking list. Also, professional organizations and career centers may have resources you will find helpful. You can also contact businesses/employers in your area of interest. Ask for the HR department and then explain why you are calling and see if there is someone you can be put in touch with.
• Make contact or set up an appointment by calling, writing a letter to the contact person, or setting it up through a mutual acquaintance – make sure to explain that you want information, not a job. Some people are intimidated by the thought of contacting someone to get career advice or information, but many people are willing to help you explore career options or career changes. With that said, you should also be prepared to possibly meet some resistance –some people you contact will likely think you are asking for a job. If this happens, assure them that you are only exploring careers. Some people may say they have no time to talk. Taking care to not be too forceful, ask if there is a better time to talk with you. You can suggest a phone interview, but with that, you lose the chance to see the work environment. If they still seem resistant, you can ask them if they know of anyone else they could speak with.
• Research the occupation
• Research the company/employer you will meet with
• Create a resume – have your resume reviewed before going to the informational interview
• Develop the interview questions
• Arrive on time – 10-15 minutes early is optimal
• Dress as if you were going to an employment interview – you don’t want to be too casual as you only get one chance to make a first impression. Even though you are not asking for a job, you want to present as professional.

Career Counseling Center (Continuum Center) – Oakland University

What questions should I ask in an Informational Interview?

Below you will find some sample questions commonly asked in informational interviews:

• What kind of work is done in this job on a daily basis?
• What education or training is necessary to get this kind of job?
• What experience or skill is required?
• What are the positive aspects of this job?
• What are the challenges of this job?
• Are there other people/professional organizations I could talk to for further information?
• What personal qualities or abilities are important to being successful in this job
• How did you get your job
• What opportunities for advancement are there in the field?
• How do you see jobs in this field changing in the future?
• What special advice would you give a person entering this field?
• What types of training do companies offer persons entering this field?
• Which professional journals and organizations would help e learn more about this field?
• If you could do thing all over again would you choose the same path for yourself? Why? What would you change?
• Who do you know that I should talk to next? When I call him/her, may I use your name?

After the informational Interview

• Send a thank you letter
• Don’t let impressions of a particular person or company cloud your judgment of an occupation? It is important to not base decisions on the opinion of one person.
• If you find that you do like the occupation and want to take it step further, you can try getting some hands-on experience such as job shadowing, internships or volunteer work.

Benefits of Informational Interviews

Informational interviews provide an inside look at an organization you may want to work for in the future. They help polish communication skills, help job seekers gain confidence and poise before the high-pressure situation of a job interview. In addition, they can help you:

• Learn more about the realities of working in particular occupation
• Decide among different occupations or choose an occupational specialty
• Focus on career goals
• Discover careers you never knew existed
• Uncover your professional strengths and weaknesses
• Find different ways to prepare for a particular career

To learn more about how an informational interview should be an integral part of your networking and job hunting plan, we recommend that you view the Informational Interviewing Tutorial at: http://www.quintcareers.com/informational_interviewing.html.


Quintessential Careers is website that provides expert career, college, and job-search advice (http://www.quintcareers.com)