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Informational Interviewing

An informational interview is an in-person, phone, or video meeting that you request with a professional in a particular field to discuss their skills, background, career path, and insights about that field.

The job seeker’s goal is to gain a better understanding of the skills, experiences, and academic background that’s essential to that field. Informational interviews provide you with an insider’s perspective that will benefit your continued job search and professional growth. Remember, informational interviews are not official interviews. The goal isn’t to ask for a job, but these conversations can lead to becoming a part of the candidate pipeline – a source of talent that employers can consider for future opportunities.

How to Identify Contacts

Your existing network consists of classmates, professors, friends, family, online contacts, and supervisors at past jobs and internships. Reach out to them for help in identifying anyone in your industry of interest. Additionally, if you’ve identified a specific company, consider contacting them through LinkedIn or calling the main office number to request an informational interview. Last but not least, reach out to the individuals you’ve met at networking events or job fairs. 

Make connections with the Â鶹´«Ã½ community on , , and through the Alumni Association.

When initiating contact, consider sending an email that includes your resume or a link to your LinkedIn profile. Express interest in meeting face-to-face, over the phone, or virtually, to learn from their experience. Make sure to convey your goal is to gather information that will stimulate your job search and build professional relationships. Take a look at our sample letter as one way you might initiate contact:

Sample letter

Dear Ms. Talbot,

I found your name through the Â鶹´«Ã½  community. I am a senior at Â鶹´«Ã½ majoring in literature. I am interested in grant writing to benefit organizations working to advocate for children in need. I have gained some grant writing experience through an internship at Planned Parenthood of the Metropolitan Area and, as the first step in my job search, I would like to speak with practitioners in my field of interest to gain more insight. I find your work in non-profits especially interesting. Would you have time to meet with me in the upcoming two weeks to chat? I am free mornings on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

I have enclosed my resume for your review and hope you have time to meet. I can be reached at this e-mail address or at (202) 123-4567. Thank you for considering my request.

Sincerely,

Terry Smith

Make the Most of the Interview

Send your resume in advance. Most employers prefer to know your background ahead of time. Indicate this is an informational interview, and remind the person when you will meet.

Plan on your discussion lasting 20 minutes or less. If meeting in person, arrive professionally dressed, a few minutes prior to your scheduled meeting. 

Be prepared with questions. Make the most of your time and only ask questions for which you can’t find answers on your own. You might also consider the following questions to get you started:

  • How did you start in this line of work? What has been your career path?
  • What was your academic preparation?
  • What skills do you need to be successful in this job?
  • What types of positions do people with my major have in your organization?
  • What classes might I take now to be better prepared for a career in this field?
  • I am thinking of changing my major; what other fields match the skills and interests that people in this line of work generally possess?
  • Have you made a career change?  If yes, how did you make it?
  • How is your organization structured?
  • How would you describe the culture of your organization?
  • What are the most important issues affecting your organization?
  • What are the hiring procedures at your organization when positions are available?
  • What are the salary ranges and benefits for a given position?
  • What magazines, newspapers, journals, or industry-related websites do you read to keep up with your field?
  • What associations or professional membership organizations do you find useful?

If you’ve established a good rapport and time permits, request feedback on your resume. Every field has its own jargon; ask how you might change your resume to make it sound like other documents written by professionals in the field.

Follow-up

Let one interview lead to another. Request referrals to other individuals you might contact. A referral in this manner is the best way to network. Your phone call, e-mail, or LinkedIn request to the next person will be more warmly received when someone that person knows refers you.

Write a thank-you note within two days of meeting or speaking with a contact (the sooner, the more memorable). Then, maintain contact with the professionals you meet by calling or e-mailing periodically. Report your progress and ask their advice, because the professional relationship you’ve established could become an important part of your network.

Resources from LinkedIn
Additional Resources
  • The Muse shares 
  • The Balance Careers discusses 
  • Career One Stop (Department of Labor) recommends 

5 Tips for Initial Success

  1. Make a good impression by demonstrating a positive attitude and knowing facts about the company.
  2. Pronounce the person’s name correctly. Ahead of the meeting, research pronunciation of their name.
  3. Make sure this is the right person to help you. Don’t be afraid to ask, “Would you be the best person for me to speak to regarding this topic?â€
  4. Communicate your referral, if you have one, to establish something in common immediately.
  5. Be direct and state clearly that you are looking for advice or information, not asking for a job.