Informational Interviewing
Informational Interviewing is a method for obtaining in-depth information about a career by asking questions and speaking with a professional in the field. It helps you further refine your understanding and knowledge of the field you are exploring.
Informational interviewing is a tool that can be extremely useful in helping you refine and focus a strategic plan for your job search. It can also be an action step in your job search if done well. Informational interviewing is not a job interview or a pretext to get in the door for a job interview; if you misuse the technique this way, you will probably fail to get past the receptionist. Used correctly, the technique of informational interviewing can produce two useful types of information:
- In-depth information about a field of work or a specific position, which helps you evaluate how well you fit this kind of work.
- Information about what an employer needs in order to see if it fits what you want and what you have to offer.
Informational interviewing is best suited for situations where career/job information is lacking. You may have difficulty in obtaining informational interviews with organizations that have well-defined recruiting systems; these employers provide recruiting booklets available in career resource libraries and at annual career fairs, and they expect you to read them. For that reason, consider small as well as large organizations when setting up informational interviews. Also, check to see if your career center offers group informational interviews. Also, check to see if your career center offers group informational interviews. Some alumni offices offer programs to link career "prospectors" with alumni in specific fields; so, be sure to check this resource as well.
How to Set Up an Informational Interview
- Identify people who may have information to share.
- Review your contract network for possible sources and ask for referrals from faculty, alumni, and career counselors.
- Meet with an individual who works in a field you are considering.
- Be very clear that you are interested in learning more about a particular field or industry, not looking for a hob, when you call to make an appointment.
- Explain that you are in the process of developing a plan for a job search and would like some expert advice.
- Be sure to use the name of your referral source and indicate that you have already done research; make it easy for your source to say "yes."
Sample Questions to Ask
- How did you become interested in working for this company?
- Tell me about your current job.
- How did you choose this career?
- What is the best educational preparation for your work?
- Which part of your current job is most challenging?
- Which part is most frustrating?
- Do you think that there is enough growth in your position/company that you would advise someone like me to get into this field?
- Of all the individuals that you have met in this field, what personal attributes do you think are essential to being successful?
- What experiences have you had that you think have been invaluable to your learning the business?
- What does your company look for when recruiting people?
- How did you get your job?
- Describe a typical work day in your position.
- What motivates you to stay in your position or with this company?
- What is the reason most people give when they leave this job/company?
- From your perspective, what are the problems/concerns for someone working in this industry?
- What classes or additional training do you recommend?
- What kinds of training opportunities are available here?
- What "grade" would you give your organization for staying current with changes in this field? Why?
- Who are your major competitors?
- If you could it all over again, would you still choose the same career path? Why or why not?
- What is your response to my resume? How would you suggest that I change it?
- Considering what you know about my skills, education, and experience, what other fields or jobs would you suggest I investigate before I make a career decision?
- What else do you think I need to know about this field to make an intelligent decision?
- Can you recommend another person in this company or field that I could speak with about this career option?
- If I think of additional questions, do you mind if I contact you again?