Informational Interviewing

What is it?

The best sources of information about an occupation, industry, or local employment are people working in that field. An informational interview helps you gain firsthand knowledge. An informational interview is one you initiate -you ask the questions. The purpose is to get information – not to get a job.

Why Information Interviews?

  • Clarify your career choice or explore new careers and identify a personal career fit.
  • Access up-to-date career information pertaining to your community.
  • Discover unadvertised career opportunities.
  • Gain self awareness and build confidence for job interviews.
  • Practice and expand your professional "networking."

Please remember this is not a job interview.

How do I start?

  • Assess your own interests and identify the occupation, industry, or employer you wish to learn about.
  • Read about the occupation or field.
  • Identify people to interview.  Start with people you know: previous employers, previous co-workers, teachers, friends, relatives, fellow students, neighbors, the local chamber of commerce, newspaper articles, career and employment centers, professional organizations, human resource personnel, and the phone book yellow pages.
  • Prepare a list of interview questions (PDF)

Arrange the Interview

  • Call, EMAIL, FAX or Write and call to arrange an interview. Introduce yourself and state you are seeking career information.
  • Ask for an appointment to discuss their career or field. You will probably need 30 to 60 minutes of their time.
  • When setting an appointment, know your schedule and ask for directions to their location.

Conduct the Interview

  • Dress appropriately - go alone - do not chew gum.
  • Arrive 5-10 minutes early. Check in with reception or your contact. Briefly restate who you are and why you are there.
  • Take a pencil and your interview questions with you.
  • Keep questions general "What is the usual salary range?" “What skills do you prefer?”
  • Stay focused on your questions while listening to the offered information.
  • Ask for information the contact feels is important and wasn't covered by your questions.
  • Stay within your time limit, ask for a business card, ask for other possible contacts, say thank you

Following the Interview

  • Send a note within a week thanking the contact for their time.
  • Review the information you gained, and adjust your career objectives if necessary.

Helpful Resources