Informational Interviewing

The purpose of an informational interview is to learn all you can about a specific career or occupation by meeting with someone who works in the field in which you have an interest. You can use this information to make a decision about whether or not you want to pursue such a career.

An informational interview also provides you with an opportunity to make important contacts. You will meet the people who actually do what you think you would like to do. You will have access to the people who can interview you and they will already be impressed with your dedication, intelligence and maturity.

Informational interviewing can be informal (asking everyone what they do for a living, what they like/don't like about their jobs, how they got into the field, etc.) or on a formal basis. Formal informational interviewing is done by making appointments with a variety of workers and/or managers for you to ask specific questions.

Contact people for information. Locate names of people who have jobs which interest you. You can get these names from friends, or by calling or visiting companies where people perform the job in which you are interested. Be resourceful and do not be afraid to ask.

Call to schedule an interview. Most people will be pleased to talk to you because they are flattered that you are interested in their work.

Example: "Hello Ms. Smith. My name is John Jones. I was given your name by my friend Susan Johnson. I'm in the process of deciding on a new career in ______and I think that I would like to be a _____. I would very much like to come and talk to you about your work and ask you some questions about what you do and what your job is really like. I do not want to take more than 20 minutes of your time. Would you have some time available?"

Go to the appointment. You should treat this just like a job interview. Dress and act as though you are on an interview. However, you must make it very clear that you are not looking for a job, only information. If this person thinks he or she is being tricked into a job interview, you have just destroyed a wonderful opportunity to learn and make an excellent contact. Bring a notebook as well as a list of questions you want to ask. Take notes. Be organized and learn as rapidly as possible. You should be finding out how people in this line of work dress, talk, think and do their job.

Thank you letter. Be sure to send a thank you letter to the interviewer for their time and valuable information.

Some questions to consider asking during your informational interview.

• What do you do on a typical day? How do you actually spend your time at work?
• What are the most interesting aspects of your job?
• What part of your work do you consider dull or repetitious?
• What brought you to this position?
• What are the basic prerequisites for a job like yours?
• What is the best way to obtain a position which will start me on a good career track?
• May I read the job descriptions and specifications for some of the positions here?
• How long does it usually take to move from one step to the next?
• What is the highest level you can attain in this career?
• What are the personal characteristics and qualities do you feel are necessary to be successful in this line of work?
• What are the salary ranges for various levels in this field?
• How much competition do you face for jobs in this industry?
• How do you see your job changing over the next ten years? What can I do to prepare myself for such changes?
• What is this firm like to work for? Who are the other major employers in this field?

Go to as many informational interviews as possible. The more you see, the better you will be in terms of deciding if this is what you want to do.

In order to prepare for the interview, be sure to:

• Research as much as possible before you go to the interview.
• Prepare questions you want to ask.
• Know how to get where you are going, whether parking is available, etc.
• Be clear about what it is you want to know.

Do NOT use the informational interview as a "job interview in disguise" -- employers will see right through that and you can ruin a good network opportunity.

Use the informational interview as the time when YOU are doing the screening -- looking at your options, researching those options, and making the final decision.