Information Interviewing
Informational interviews are an excellent way to enhance your career exploration. Informational interviews should not be confused with actual job interviews; you are seeking information and/or advice from the person you are interviewing, rather than being interviewed for a position. Although information about potential jobs may arise within an informational interview, the person you are interviewing should not feel any pressure to help you find a job. Rather, s/he should feel like a valued member of your network.
Potential topics for an informational interview:
- Further information about the field: What does the person do? What is an average day like, what does she/he like/dislike about what she/he does? (Do some basic research about the field on your own first.)
- Current direction of the field: Where is it going? What might be some potential upsides or downsides to being in the field? What is the level of job security?
- How to get into the field: What was the person's career path? What sort of background or training might be needed? What experiences/skills/language/course work should one emphasize? Where might one look for potential jobs?
- Geographical information about the field or other industries: What is growing, where? Who are the main competitors?
- Geographical information about lifestyle/relocating: Where can one find services? What is life like in the city?
Informational interviewing is a key component to developing and expanding your network. For more information about networking, or for more sample questions, go to Establishing and Mobilizing Your Network.
