Informational Interviewing
What is Informational Interviewing?
Informational interviewing is the process of talking to professionals in an area of your career interest. Used correctly, it can help you:
- Learn about a career field of interest to you
- Learn about an organization of interest to you
- Begin to establish a “network” of professionals
- Informational interviewing may seem intimidating. Some common concerns may be:
Why would anyone want to spend their valuable time talking to me?
While a professional’s time is valuable, most are willing to take 20-30 minutes to help out someone who is genuinely interested in their field of work. When you arrange a meeting, prepare questions ahead of time.
I’m not good at talking to strangers.
It can be intimidating to call a stranger to ask for an informational interview. Most people in the types of jobs you are exploring will have similar interests to yours and will be glad to share what they know. Career Services has a network of Wake Forest graduates called the Alumni Career Assistance Program (ACAP) who have agreed to act as information sources for current students. They are eager to hear from interested students. (See page 6 of this guidebook for more information on ACAP.) Once you have made just one contact, the rest get easier.
How do I approach someone for an informational interview?
If the person has not specified how he/she prefers to be contacted (telephone, email, or in person), email is a good way to initiate an informational interview. Remember always be professional. An email requesting an informational interview requires the same attention to detail (correct grammar, spelling, etc.) that any other professional correspondence does.
What are some good questions to ask?
- What are your major responsibilities?
- How did you choose this line of work?
- How did you get your first job in this field?
- What are some courses that would prepare me for entry into this field?
- What skills are needed to excel in this field?
- What, in particular, gives you satisfaction in this job? What frustrates you?
- What are the entry-level opportunities in this field?
- How is this field changing? What can I do to prepare for those changes?
- What advice would you give a student interested in pursuing this career?
- Where can I find more information about the field?
Do not put the interviewee in an awkward position by asking for a job or internship. It may turn out that a contact you made through your informational interview will be instrumental in helping you find employment, but remember that the purpose of informational interviewing is to gain information.
Follow Up
When the interview is over, thank the person for his/her time. Promptly follow up with a thank-you letter. Periodically contact the individual to see how things are going and to keep him/her up-to-date with your job search process.
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