Informational Interviews

Informational Interviews

What are they? Why do we have them?

Informational Interviews are based on the idea of gathering information to find out what it is like to work at Company X.  The information interview is a research tool that is part of your job search. The best way to do this is to ask someone who works there. Some people to ask about the company are: current or former employees, clients and suppliers are all valuable sources of information about the company that you are interested in.

To find people to interview, ask everyone in your network (friends, family, people you know) if they know someone connected to the company.

Information interviews are often done by telephone, but some people may prefer to meet you face to face.

An information interview should never be used to sell yourself in order to get a job. All you want is information, so you can relax and enjoy the conversation. 

Why should I do an information interview?

The information interview allows you to collect information tailor-made to your specific needs.

• You get first-hand, real information about a career/occupation/industry.
• You can find out facts about earnings, work conditions and opportunities.
• You can see if the career/occupation matches your needs, interests and skills.
• You build your network, making contacts with people who may be able to help you in the future.
• You get to practice your communications skills and gain confidence for job interviews.

People who do information interviews say that they can often result in unexpected job information and opportunities down the road Try to get as much background information on the career/occupation before you start interviewing. Check out your local library or do a web search. What do I say? How do I get started?

• Starting a conversation to get an information interview with a stranger is a challenge. You may feel shy, or afraid to impose, or worried that the person may not want to talk to you.
• Write out a "script" that you would be comfortable saying.
• Practice your "script" ahead of time. Think of it as a rehearsal and say the "script" until it feels natural. Try it out on a family member or friend.
• Make sure you identify yourself and why you're calling.
• Let the person know that you need only 10 or 15 minutes of his/her time.
• Make sure it's convenient for your interview. If not, ask if you can schedule another time.

What questions should I ask?


Occupation-specific questions:

·         What personal qualities or abilities are important to being successful in this job?

·         What are the ideal qualifications for someone in this job?

·         What kind of education/training is needed for this position?

·         What part of this job do you find most satisfying? Most challenging?

·         How did you get your job?

·         How do you see jobs in this field changing in the future?

·         Is there a demand for people in this occupation?

·         With the information you have about my education, skills, and experience, what other fields or jobs would you suggest I research further before I make a final decision?

·         What training or education is required for this type of work?

Career Questions: 

• What opportunities for advancement are there in this field?
• What is the salary ranges for various levels in this field?
• What are the basic education/training/experience prerequisites for jobs in this field?
• What special advice would you give a person entering this field?
• What types of training do companies offer persons entering this field?
• Which professional journals and organizations would help me learn more about this field?
• From your perspective, what are the problems you see working in this field?
•  If you could do things all over again, would you choose the same path for yourself? Why?
•  What do you think of the experience I've had so far in terms of entering this field?