5.3: Informational Interviews

In addition to online career resources, informational interviews are another way to gather information about a career.

Informational interviews are meetings where you are the interviewer, and the person with whom you are meeting has information that you want—for example, about a specific job, organization, or industry. Informational interviews are a type of networking, but since the primary aim is to uncover information, we are including informational interviewing in the research unit.

Many job seekers treat informational interviews like an interrogation, with a long list of questions to extract information from the interviewee. We will take a more sophisticated approach to informational interviews. These interviews occur after some research is already completed, so the interview is not simply a series of questions to gain more information but rather a way to verify, refine, and test the information already researched. It is a two-way conversation, and you will be giving as well as receiving information.

Figure 3.2 – View the brief YouTube video titled “Designing Your Career: The Informational Interview” for an introduction to informational interviewing. (link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=21&v=m6Pa4ZB4mvQ)

Informational Interviews Are Two-Way Exchanges of Information

Many job seekers see informational interviews as a shortcut to research—but skipping your own homework first is a mistake. Without prior research:

• It’s harder to get quality interviews, as people may not see value in speaking with someone unprepared.

• Interviewees only share their personal experience, which may not fully reflect the job, organization, or industry.

• You won’t know enough to ask meaningful questions or verify information.

• You may appear uninformed, missing a chance to show interest and professionalism.

The best informational interviews are two-way conversations. By doing your research first, you bring insights, news, and trends to the discussion, turning it into a collaborative exchange rather than a one-sided Q&A. This shows respect for the interviewee’s time and helps you learn more deeply.

Sample Informational Interview Questions

You want to get to know your interviewee by asking questions such as the following:

• How did you get involved in this job, organization, or industry?
• What do you like most about it? What has been most rewarding?
• What is most challenging? Was there anything that surprised you?
• What is a typical day, week, or month like?
• What skills are most critical to have, develop, and maintain to be successful?
• What personality types are most successful in this job, organization or industry?
• What do you know now that you wished you knew when you started?

Interest in their specific background establishes rapport because it shows you care about them specifically. It also gives you a foundation for questions to ask later because you know more about their experience. You want to get broader information about the industry, so you ask questions that reflect your research:

• According to my research, the top competitors are [name the competitors]. Am I missing anyone you think is significant? Is there a new player I should know about?
• According to my research, [name a trend, challenge, or innovation] is a major trend, challenge, or innovation. Is this affecting your job or organization? Is this overestimated in the media? Are there are other trends, challenges, or innovations I should be concerned about?

Why Research Before an Informational Interview Matters

Doing research before an informational interview is critical—it gives you a foundation for meaningful conversation instead of relying on the interviewee to provide all the information. Your research becomes a springboard: you bring ideas, ask deeper questions, and test what you’ve learned.

Focus your questions based on your interviewee’s experience. Senior professionals can handle broad strategy questions, while someone in a specific role (like technology) is better for detailed, role-focused discussions.

You can also use research to explore career realities, such as salary, work environment, and your competitiveness for the job:

• “My research shows people in this job earn [salary range] and experience [work culture/lifestyle]. Is that accurate?”

• “The typical career path seems to be [job titles]. Does that match your experience?”

• “How would you describe your organization’s culture? Is it similar across the industry?”

• “Based on my background [skills/experience], would I be competitive for this type of job?”

These questions allow you to get candid insights without asking directly for a job. Offering your research gives the interviewee something concrete to respond to, making the conversation a two-way exchange and showing that you’re prepared and professional.

Remember: an informational interview is about learning, not asking for employment.

Be Polite: Common Rules of Etiquette Apply

Common rules of etiquette apply in the protocols of informational interviews. When asking for the interview, you can approach your interviewee by phone, mail, or email. There is no one right answer, but each has advantages and disadvantages:

Table 3.1 - Possible Ways to Ask for an Informational Interview and Advantages and Disadvantages

Approach By	Advantages		Disadvantages
Phone	• Potential for immediate response • For people who are difficult to reach, you cut through a lot of back and forth if you happen to reach them right away		• Disruptive to the interviewee • You have very little time to introduce yourself and make your request
Mail	• Potential to stand out. Few people take the time to send mail anymore		• Slow to arrive • Cannot confirm that the recipient receives or reads it
E-mail	• Fast but still gives you the opportunity to refine your draft • Recipient can respond right away or wait until later • Enables you to include hyperlinks for more information about you		• Cannot confirm that the recipient receives or reads it

E-mail has the most advantages and fewest disadvantages and should work for most job seekers. If you are more confident in your phone approach or mail campaign, then you may want to try that as well. You might also tailor your approach to the recipient. If you get referred to someone and they tell you to call them, then call them, even if you would prefer to e-mail. You want to approach interviewee based on what their preference is.

The content of your approach, whether by phone, mail, or e-mail, should include who you are and why you are making contact. If someone refers you, mention that right away. Regarding who you are, make your introduction compelling but brief.

An elegant way to share your resume is to put your online profile hyperlink in your email signature. This way, the interviewee can easily get more information about you without having to search, but it is shared in one line rather than a paragraph or more of detail. This is a key advantage of an e-mail approach.

Sample Informational Interview E-mail Approach

Subject: Request for an Informational Interview Meeting Hello Ms. Barkley, My name is Joe Cougar and I am a first year college student at College of the Canyons. I am enrolled in a career exploration course and I am currently considering business marketing as my major. I have been researching this field and I am interested in learning more about the profession. I would like an opportunity to meet with you to learn more about what you do as VP of International Marketing at MPL Incorporated. I understand you have a busy schedule; however, I would appreciate any amount of time you can share with me. I am available M-F any time after 1 p.m. Please let me know your availability. I look forward to hearing back from you soon. Thank you for your time. Regards, Joe Cougar College of the Canyons Student http://www.linkedin.com/in/joesample

Common etiquette applies during and after the informational interview as well. Be on time, and do not take too much time. Ask for fifteen to thirty minutes, be mindful of the time, and offer to end the interview right after the agreed amount of time. Only stay longer if invited. Send a thank-you note—email is fastest, handwritten by mail is a classy addition, but definitely send at least an e-mail so you know it arrives promptly.

Sample Informational Interview Thank You Email

Subject: Thank you for your time! Dear Ms. Barkley: Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to speak with me about your work at MPL Incorporated. Your job sounds fascinating! You seem to enjoy your work very much, which, as we discussed, will be important in my own career choice. I am very intrigued by the work that you do at MPL. The aspect of your work that I find most interesting is your ability to market one product to several different cultures. Your involvement in the different stages of marketing a product captivated me as well. I appreciate your recommendations about interviews. I will be sure to know all about a company and its products before I interview with them. Your advice was well taken. Once again, thank you for your time and expertise. Sincerely, Joe Cougar College of the Canyons Student http://www.linkedin.com/in/joesample

Now that you have been introduced to informational interviewing, think of what careers you’d like to learn more about and who you may want to interview to help you gather more information. List at least two careers you'd be interested in learning more about and potentially conducting an informational interview for?     Now think of professionals in the field you can arrange an informational interview appointment with. You can find people to interview by asking your friends, relatives, instructors, counselors or contacts through Professional Associations. Think of all your resources. When you call to set up an appointment, it is important to be prepared, because what you say on the phone and how you say it can influence your ability to land an informational interview appointment. Prepare your phone script below: Hello. My name is _________________________and I’m a (year in school)__________student attending College of the Canyons. My counselor, (Name of person} __________________ suggested I give you a call because I am interested in (add your interest) ___________________ and would like to find out as much as I can about the field. Would it be possible to schedule 20 or 30 minutes with you at your convenience, to ask you a few questions and get your advice on how best to prepare to enter the field? Once the appointment is scheduled. Prepare a list of questions you'd like to ask. After the interview, reflect on your experience. What information did you find particularly helpful. Is this a career you can see yourself pursuing? Do you have any reservations? Is there any advice that was given that you need to follow up on? Be sure to send a thank you note or email within 24 hours to show your appreciation.