Informational Interviewing

Informational Interviewing is a productive way to gather information from professionals about occupations of interest to you. It is helpful to meet the people behind the titles to determine if your ideas about their work are realistic and if it is an appropriate match for your skills, work and personal values and career interests.

Most students and career changers accomplish this by talking with a practicing professional in career field(s) of interest either by phone or in person to learn about a particular work environment. The interview is strictly to gather career information and not to ask for a job. Also, if you are calling a busy executive, it is courteous to write an introductory letter informing him/her when and why you will be calling.

In your search for information, don't limit yourself to Allegheny alums. Talk to as many people as you can and gather as much career-related information as you need to be able to make an informed career decision. A student is rarely refused an opportunity for an information interview. Most commonly, your professional contact will be flattered by your interest in his/her career and talk with you quite agreeably.

To keep information clear the following checklist may be helpful:

• Occupation or Interest
• Name and position title of person interviewed
• Name & Address of the employing organization

Suggested Questions:

The questions that follow are suggested as a framework for your occupational research. They are phrased for use in any career-field.

• What credentials, educational degrees, licenses, etc. are required for entry into this kind of work?
• What types of prior experiences are necessary?
• Can you suggest some ways a student could obtain this necessary experience?
• How did you prepare for this work? If you were entering this career today, would you change your preparation in any way to facilitate entry?
• What are your typical day and work week like? How is your time occupied? How does the time use vary? Are there busy and slow times or is the work activity fairly constant?
• What particular skills or talents are most essential to be effective in your job? How did you learn these skills? Did you enter this position through a formal training program? How can I evaluate whether or not I have the necessary skills for a position such as yours?
• What are the major frustrations of this job?
• What are the major rewards aside from extrinsic rewards such as money, fringe benefits, travel, etc.?
• What interests you least about the job or creates the most stress?
• What is the average length of time for an employee to stay in the job you hold? Are there incentives or disincentives for staying in the same job?
• Where are you located in the organizational structure?
• Do you have any long-range goals in this type of work?
• What obligations does your work place on you outside of the ordinary work week?
• Is there flexibility related to dress, work hours, vacation schedule, place of residence, etc.?
• What work-related values are strongest in this type of work (security, high income, variety, independence)?
• If your job progresses as you like, what would be the next step in your career?
• If your work was suddenly eliminated, what kinds of work do you feel prepared to do?
• How rapidly is your present field growing? Can you estimate future job openings?
• What courses have proved to be the most valuable to you in your work? What would you recommend for me?
• What kinds of experience, paid or un-paid, would you encourage for anybody pursuing a career in this field?
• Based on our conversation, whom else do you feel I should talk with?
• Can you provide me with a few names of people who may be willing to see me, and may I use your name as a source of referral when I call to contact them?

*Adapted in part from The Field Experience Guidebook, Section @: Getting the Most from Your Field Experience, University of Delaware, Career Planning and Placement Office.