The informational interview is a tool to help you learn more about industries, companies, and career paths. This type of interview involves talking with people with an “insider” point of view, who are doing the kind of work that you would like to do.
An informational interview is an informal meeting with a person who has firsthand knowledge about a particular career area. This interview allows you to gain an understanding of current and regional information about an occupation or industry. You are not asking for a job, but you are at a career decision making stage and looking for advice or details about a particular career before committing to it. This type of interview can also be used for gathering information to improve your job search strategy.
How do you find the right person to interview? Identifying a candidate in your field of interest may take some time, but it is not as daunting as it may seem. If you want to be a paralegal and you don’t know one, look one up and give them a call. Explain the purpose for your call; ask to schedule 30 minutes or more to answer a few questions about his or her line of work. Send a resume in advance, so the interviewee will be familiar with your work experience. Informational interviews can be conducted over the phone or in person. If in person, dress appropriately and show up on time to show consideration for the person being interviewed.
Other ways of finding the right person to interview include using business directories, talking to family and friends, and reading articles on successful people. Don’t forget to use your social network to locate a knowledgeable person in your field of interest. Always interview more than one person before deciding whether or not to pursue an occupation. Lastly, always send a thank you note.
What questions should you ask? Prepare for this interview as you would a job interview by doing your research. You should know in advance the questions that you are going to ask the interviewee. Your interview questions should fall into one of four categories. Here are a few examples.
| Questions about the Interviewee |
- What was your major in college?
- What prior jobs or positions led to where you are now?
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
- Would you do it all over again?
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| Questions about the Position |
- What do you do on a typical day?
- How much job security do you have in this position?
- What qualities or skills are required to be successful in this position?
- How often do you interact with the public/customers?
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| Questions about the Career Field |
- What are the growing areas of this field?
- Is there a demand for this occupation?
- What are the typical entry level job titles and duties?
- What are the salary ranges for various levels in this field?
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| Questions about the Organization |
- What distinguishes this organization from others in this field?
- Who are your competitors?
- What do you like most about this company?
- How does the company evaluate job performance?
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