THE INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW


   A. Purpose of the Informational Interview
   B. Guidelines for Informational Interviewing
   C. Tips for Success
   D. Questions to Ask


A. Purpose of the Informational Interview

Informational Interviewing is a method of interviewing designed to produce information about a particular career. An informational interview can help you to determine a career path, learn about entering a career, gauge a company, and build your professional networking contacts. An informational interview is not a job interview, however, it allows you to build your network and may open up future job opportunities.

There are several reasons to conduct informational interviews, including:

• Gain information on your career field and the skills necessary to succeed

• Make contacts with managers, supervisors, and colleagues

• Gain information on positions that are not being advertised

• Learn about the realities of the job, as well as the needs of employers

• Gain confidence in talking with people, which may result in lower stress in a formal   interview setting

• Identify your personal strengths and weaknesses in terms of the expectations of a specific job or company

Informational interviews are a great tool for anyone wishing to enter a career field or change career paths. Not only do you control the questions asked, but you can speak with as many companies and people with which you are comfortable. The more contacts that you make through informational interviews, the more opportunities you may have in searching for future positions.

B. Guidelines for Informational Interviewing

The first step in conducting informational interviews is to identify one or more careers about which you would like to learn. You should consider your own values, skills, interests, and experiences to identify a more specific area of interest. This is also a great time to learn about the industry in which you would like to work. Read any information that you can find in journals, newspapers, magazines, or newsletters regarding the companies or field that you are interested in. After reading this information, you should be able to identify key questions you would like to have answered during your informational interviews.

The second step in informational interviewing is to identify people with whom to speak. Identify family, friends, peers, co-workers, supervisors, neighbors, etc. that can help you to make contact with people of interest. Also, don't be afraid to aim high! Contact members of companies in your area through their human resources department and request to speak with an individual within a certain department or with a specific job title. Most business leaders are willing to talk with students in order to help them develop their career goals. Also, the Career Services office can help connect you with an alumni working in your field of choice. The most effective method to set up an informational interview is via telephone or e-mail, and interviews should be conducted in person, if possible.

After you have identified one or more professionals to speak with, it is essential to do your homework. Research the company, as well as the position of the person with whom you will be speaking. The more you know, the better the questions you'll be able to ask and the more you will get out of the interview.

It is also important that you practice proper informational interviewing etiquette. You should never ask for a job during or after an informational interview. If the employer tells you about a relevant position, wait until the next day to call and tell them not only of your interest in the field, but in your eagerness to apply for the position about which they informed you. It is also inappropriate to ask the interviewee about their current or past salaries.

C. Tips for Success

Dress for success! Treat an informational interview as you would a formal job interview. By dressing the part, an employer will take you seriously and will be more likely to connect you with open positions or other professional contacts.

Take the interview seriously. Ask intelligent, informed questions and maintain positive body language throughout the interview. Take notes that can allow you to research more or explore the field. Be willing to go off-course and have more informal conversations with the person you're interviewing. This can be a valuable opportunity to learn about the detailed aspects of the job or the environment of the company.

Bring your resume to the interview. If you feel comfortable at the end of the conversation, ask the interviewee to critique your resume or offer to leave it with them. This can allow the professional an opportunity to see your skills and abilities without pressuring them to hire you.

Ask for referrals! After speaking with an employer, ask them to give you contact information for another individual so that you may conduct an additional informational interview. This will not only show that you are truly interested in the field, but will also allow you to build your networking contacts.

As with any interview, ask for a business card and write a thank you e-mail within 24 hours.

D. Questions to Ask

There are hundreds of questions to ask in an interview. Below are some common questions with which to familiarize yourself. For more questions, please see 201 Best Questions to Ask on Your Interview, available in the Career Services office.

• What is your job like?

• What is a typical day like

• What are your responsibilities/job duties?

• How do you use your time?

• What decisions do you have to make?

•  Why did this type of work interest you and how did you get started?

• How did you obtain your job?

•  How can a student gain the experience necessary to be successful in this position?

• Why did you decide to work for this company?

• What do you like most about this company?

• How would you describe the company's culture and people?

• What do you see as the next step in your career?

•  What abilities do you think contribute the most to success in your job?

• These are my personal strengths (skills, personality traits, values, etc). Where would they fit in this field? Where would they be helpful in this organization?
   

Back to top