Informational Interviews

Description of an Informational Interview

An Informational Interview is a method for acquiring information specific to a job, functional area or company. It is a way in which you may gather more information and become knowledgeable about another career option or industry. It is a fact finding, information gathering meeting with another colleague or professional. It is not to be confused with an interview. They are two very different items.

One of the very best ways to learn about a career path is to talk with people already working in the job or career field. The sections below will take you through the process of setting up an informational interview meeting, conducting the meeting and following up afterwards.

How to Contact People and Set Up an Informational Interview
Most of us have more contacts in our professional network than we realize. Start with a career coach, a teammate, a former manager or human resources contact. Ask them if they know anyone who works in the particular job, functional area or company. Be sure to let them know that you are not interviewing. You are strictly on a fact-finding mission. If your contact cannot think of anyone to recommend to you, then ask that person if he or she “…knows anyone else who may know someone who works in that particular area.”

Once you have your contact name, send an e-mail message or call the person. Whether you are calling or writing a message, carefully plan out what you want to communicate.

Below are a number of suggestions to consider incorporating into your message:

      Explain how you received the person’s name
      Describe who you are and your background (very briefly and succinctly)
      Be specific about how the person may be of assistance to you
      ( what your meeting goal is)
      Let the person know you will only take 30 minutes (recommended) of his or her time
      Make a suggestion for when you would like to meet (be flexible)

      Let them know you may ask for additional contact names and resources (books, classes, etc.)
      Send any information ahead of time that you deem appropriate (but, be understanding of the person’s time and that they may not even be able to look at it beforehand)
      If calling the person, ask if he or she is free to talk at that moment.

Most people agree to do informational interviewing because they recognize that it is good for them, too. It allows them to build their connections – one of the most valuable strategies in career management. In the unlikely event that someone would deny your informational interview request, take heart because it is probably due to circumstances beyond control such as the person’s time, project dead line, etc. Then, look for another contact and proceed.

How to Conduct the Informational Interview Meeting
As you begin, thank the person for the time and remind that person that you will only meet for 30 minutes. It’s your responsibility to manage the time even if the person really enjoys talking with you. If you have questions left unanswered at the end of the 30 minutes together, ask if you may handle them via an e-mail.

Prepare a list of questions that you will use during your 30-minute informational interview.  Below are suggested questions that will get you started on your own list:

      What skills or training are required for this type of role?
      What qualities make someone successful in this work?
      What was your career path to get where you are today?
      What would you do differently if you were starting again?
      What parts of the work do you enjoy the most?  … the least?
      How might someone with my skills and background transition into this type of work?
      What training, reading materials or websites would you recommend for me in order to continue my research of this job … field ….. industry.
      What contact name would you have for me to continue my informational interviews?
      What is the salary range for this position?




An informational interview offers you an excellent opportunity to assess how you are presenting yourself. Save the last couple of minutes for feedback.  Ask questions like:
      What other information would be pertinent for me at this point in my information gathering?
      What problems do you perceive might cause me difficulty in pursuing this career path?
      What do you see as my best assets for this type of work?
      What suggestions do you have for me on any aspect of the informational interview process?

Wrap up the meeting by thanking your contact and offering something in return. A simple thing to offer would be to serve as an informational interview contact for anyone that person may want to send your way. Or, you could simply suggest that you would be willing to help with anything that they might need you for in the future.

How to Follow-Up the Informational Interview
After you meet, send a note of thanks. This note will be short but should include
1) a thank you for the person’s time;
2) thanking them for any contact names or resources you were given;
3) expressing your enthusiasm over your time together; and,
4) referring to something specific you gained or learned from your time together.

It is also recommended that you keep your informational interview contact informed along the way. After you meet with another contact referral given to you by your original contact, send another note and let that original person know how valuable their contact was for you.  Even if a long time passes, if you end up pursuing another career path or industry, inform your informational interview contact and let them know, again, how much you appreciated their help.








Marianne  Adoradio, Career Consulting                  
madoradio@aol.com                         408.236.2712      designyourdirection.com