Tips for Grads: How to conduct an informational interview
Career Development
Interested in a new career or different job? There’s no way of knowing with 100 percent certainty what a new profession might be like, but there is one proven, personal way to learn more: the informational interview. As opposed to a job interview, an informational interview is initiated and conducted by you. Here’s how to use this important tool to your advantage.
Identify people to interview. Tell your family and friends that you want to know more about a specific field and ask if they have any contacts. You can also go to career services centers and libraries or tap LinkedIn and company websites.
Prepare. Research the organization and your interviewee online. Are you curious about the type of work? Do you want to learn the steps of how to get into the field? Prepare five to 10 open-ended questions, depending on the length of the interview.
Reach out. Call or email your candidate and be clear and concise about your purpose. Request a specific amount of time, 20 minutes to an hour at most. In-person interviews are best, but a phone call is fine as well.
Conduct the interview. Ask questions and leave plenty of time for the person to answer. Remember, this is more about them and less about you — it’s not a job interview. Honor the timeframe you set and ask if follow-up questions are okay and if the person has suggestions for other contacts in the field.
Follow up. Send a thank-you email, perhaps noting one or two points you found particularly helpful.
