Informational interviewing is an excellent way for students and job hunters to learn about careers.
"It is also a way to build your network of contacts. It is very important to remember, however, that the informational interview is not a job interview. It is the field research you need to know to pursue opportunities in the future."
The University of Denver Career Center has compiled a list of 21 sample questions for people in informational interviews. Here they are:
- How did you become interested in your area of work?
- How do most people get into this field?
- Which part of the job is most challenging for you? Why?
- Which part of the job is most rewarding? Why?
- Can you see enough growth in this field that you would advise me to pursue it?
- What changes or trends have you seen in recent years, and where is the industry going?
- What personal attributes are essential to success in this field?
- How could I research materials and career trends in your industry?
- Which professional journals and organizations should I know about?
- What skills are required of a (position of interest) daily?
- What experiences have you had that helped you to learn the business?
- Which areas of study should I pursue?
- How did you get your job?
- What are the challenges in working in this field or for this type of employer?
- How would you describe a typical work day or work week?
- What motivates you to stay in this line of work?
- What would you say are the lifestyle considerations in your area?
- What is the reason most people give when they leave this field?
- Regarding promotions, what steps have most people taken?
- What industry experience do most of the directors on the board have in common?
- If you could do it all over again, would you choose the same path for yourself? Why? What would you change?
