Informational interviewing is a way to get some "inside" information
to further your job search. Connecting with a professional currently
working in a field of interest to you can help you explore your options,
develop more targeted resumes and cover letters, gain useful networking
contacts and more. Use the information below to understand how informational
interviewing may fit in with your search, how you can get started,
and the kinds of questions you may want to ask at an informational
interview.
What is information interviewing?
Why should I do an information interview?
How can I get an information interview?
Questions to ask
What is informational interviewing?
It's just that… interviewing for information. Instead of
the focus being placed on somebody interviewing you for a job or
internship, you are interviewing a professional currently working
in an industry of interest to you so that you can gain a better understanding
of what it might be like to work in that industry. These interviews
may occur over the phone or in person depending on the preference,
geographic location, and time availability of those involved.
Why should I do an informational
interview?
Information interviewing is probably one of the best ways to
gain information about a particular industry. Learning about an industry
from somebody currently working in that industry will give you information
you may not be able to learn about in other resources. You may even
sometimes find out about job or internship leads.
How can I get an informational
interview?
There are a variety of ways to secure an informational interview.
Be creative when thinking about the resources available to you, but
look below for some options to get you started.
-
Who do you know? That's one way to get started. Remember your
sister's college roommate who works for XYZ organization? Perhaps
you could contact her to get some information. Talk with your
professors and advisers, they may also be able to provide you
with names of individuals who would be pleased to meet with
you to discuss their career choice.
-
Another option would be to visit the Alumni Center and use
their Alumni Network database. This database is full of U of
M alumni who have expressed an interest in talking with students.
The database can be searched by occupation.
-
Contacting professional organizations may be a way to find
a contact in a particular industry. Consider using the National
Trade and Professional Association Handbook available in
the Career Planning & Placement library to get started.
-
Open the phone book. Interested in a career in law? Well,
look up attorneys in the yellow pages and call some local offices
to see if somebody there would be interested in meeting with
you.
Once you have determined who you would like to contact, call that
person up and explain that you are interested in conducting an information
interview so that you can gain some insight into a particular career.
Ask if the person with whom you are speaking would be able and interested
in meeting with you and then make the arrangements accordingly. Don't
forget to send a thank you once you have completed your information
interview!
What kinds of questions
should I ask?
Mostly you want to ask questions that will help you gain a wider
understanding of a particular industry. You can ask questions about
topics ranging from organizational culture to benefits to asking
for advice as a person interested in entering a particular profession.
See the list below for some sample questions.
Questions:
-
Please tell me about your current job.
-
What is a typical day for you like?
-
What do you find most rewarding about your position? Most
challenging?
-
Can you tell me about why you decided to work for XYZ organization?
-
Who are your major clients/services? Major competitors?
-
In your opinion, what are some of the strengths of your organization?
Where do you see room for improvement?
-
What kinds of training and professional development are available?
-
How did you learn about and apply for your position?
-
When XYZ organization is looking to hire new employees, what
do they look for in candidates?
-
What would you recommend to me, as an individual interested
in ABC career?
-
From your perspective, what are some of the most important
issues affecting this field today?
-
What type of education is necessary to prepare for a career
in this field?
-
What additional training or education should I look at to
enhance my potential for finding a position within this field?
-
How have you been able to balance the demands of the office
with your personal life?
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