An Informational Interview is a low-key, informal experience that can be a valuable tool when making decisions about your career or getting advice about your job search
Benefits:
- Obtain information about different occupational areas or career fields
- Develop relationships with professionals in your field of interest
- Learn what a particular occupation might require in regards to education, training, and practical experience
- Gain insight into the culture of an organization and expectations in the areas of dress, work hours, and management styles
- Get practical advice!
Things to Keep in Mind:
- Don't ask for a position or market yourself as a professional
- Be ready if they ask to discuss yourself & your goals
- Have a resume ready for them if they ask for it
- People like to talk about themselves, so ask relevant questions!
Quick Tips:
- Plan your questions - what do you want to learn?
- Research into organization & person you’re interviewing
- Focus on application - real-world practices, specific stories, etc.
- Last question for your interviewee: who else should I talk to?
- Listen actively & engage with what they have to say
- May develop naturally into more of a dialogue
- Pay attention to cues that could signal opportunities
- Stay in touch - this is the beginning of a relationship
- Always send a follow-up email thanking them
Who?
- People you know: Family, friends, neighbors, classmates, faculty members, school staff, coworkers, contacts you’ve met through professional associations, other acquaintances
- People you don't know: Utilize LinkedIn professional association member directories, staff directories of organizations you are interested in
How to Request an Info Interview:
- Your initial contact can be by telephone, email, or LinkedIn
- Identify yourself, and tell them why you are contacting them
- Be flexible in scheduling time
- As a general rule, only ask to spend 15 to 20 minutes in an informational interview (though the option for a longer conversation is often possible)
- Be willing to call back at a more convenient time if they don’t have time right then to schedule an interview
How to Facilitate:
- Arrive 5 minutes early to the meeting (Virtual or In-person)
- Have your list of questions in front of you
- Dress appropriately and make a good first impression by way of appearance and manners
- Be direct, concise, and enthusiastic with your questions and answers
- Maintain eye contact
- Speak positively about yourself and others
- Take notes: Write down names, telephone numbers, and other information you will want to remember
Example Career-Related Questions:
- How did you get started in this career?
- What is a typical day like?
- What do you like most about your role?
- What, if anything, would you change about this position?
- What advice do you have for me as someone who is beginning a career in ... ?
- What do you know now that you wish you’d known before you entered the field?
- Who else should I speak with about careers in [name of career]?
Example Job-Search Questions:
- What advice do you have for someone who would like to work for [name of organization]?
- What do you like most about working for [name of organization]?
- What is the labor market in the Portland area for people who work as [name of job]?
- What is the best job search advice you’ve ever received?
- Which job search strategies have been most useful to you?
- Which professional associations do you affiliate with/recommend?
- How did you find out about the job you have now?
Be Prepared:
- Bring an up-to-date copy of your resume to the interview. They might ask for it, or depending on how the conversation goes, you can ask them if they would be willing to review your resume (which gives you an opportunity to follow up with them)
- For a 15-minute informational interview, prepare a list of 8-10 questions
- Follow up: Send a thank you note and stay in touch
After the Interview:
- Identify what you feel went well, what would you change next time, and questions you didn’t get to ask
- Send a thank you note via email within 3 days (bonus points for sending a hand-written note, too!)
- Keep accurate records of interactions so you may follow up again in the future
- Think about the information you gained. What did you learn? Ask yourself how your skills, interests, and values fit with this career. Identify what you still need to learn about this career.