What is an Informational Interview?

Most young people are accustomed to being interviewed, or at least expect to submit to many interviews in pursuit of college and employment. An informational interview is a bit different, however. In this case, you are in the driver’s seat, and someone else gets to answer your questions.

An informational interview is an excellent way to explore career options, professional backgrounds, and industry intel to guide you in making plans for your future. Leverage your network to make connections with professionals who work in fields that hold your interest and request a meeting to gain a more comprehensive understanding.

How do I Initiate an Interview?

Build a list of professionals you’d like to interview from the connections you’ve made from your network. Make assessments about whether you need a formal introduction to an individual based on advice from your network, your counselors or advisers. If a direct connection makes an email introduction, be sure to use “Reply All” to write a professional and brief follow up email. Thank the mutual contact first, and then address the prospective interviewee with your intentions.

When requesting an interview, keep your appeal concise and simple to accept. Let them know who you are, who suggested you meet them (if it’s a cold greeting), why you would like to meet them, and when you are available to connect. An example request is below:

Dear Mr. Smith,

Mary Jones suggested that I speak with you. I am a junior at College Prep Academy with an interest in pursuing a career in self-propelled widgets. I am excited to learn more about your work as a widget engineer.

I would like to request a 30-minute informational meeting with you in which I can ask you about your background and industry. Are you available for a Zoom chat on February 28th at 4:00pm EST?

I look forward to meeting with you.

Thank you,

Sarah Starspangle

What Should I ask During an Informational Interview?

While not everyone you ask will be able to meet with you, most professionals are genuinely flattered to hear that a young person is interested in their industry. Follow up once with individuals who don’t respond at all, and be sure to send thanks and well wishes to anyone who declines your request for interview. Don’t spend time worrying about unanswered requests or those who are unable to meet. Focus on those who are happy to meet with you, and follow up with your calendar links quickly.

Prepare for your interview by making sure you know several facts about the person’s education, title, company, and industry. You are seeking their insight, so make sure you already know most of what you can find out on your own.

Open the interview with thanks, and expect to be asked about yourself. Remember that your goal is to learn about the other person, so keep your own introduction concise. Practice your elevator pitch before the meeting to get comfortable with it, and make sure that it segues nicely into your first question.

Be mindful of the time you allotted for the interview and prioritize your questions to make sure you get through those that are most important. You will probably not have time to address every question, but it’s a good idea to have more than enough ready to go. Feel free to skip around depending on how your conversation is going. Also remember that the benefit of this type of interview is finding out if it’s a good fit for your personality and style. It’s okay to ask questions about how formal or casual the industry is, whether there are busy seasons throughout the year, and what the work environment is like.

Some questions you might ask are:

• Did you know you wanted to enter this field during college, and how did your university prepare you for it?

• What is a regular day like for you, and are your days fairly consistent?

• What personality types do you think are a good fit for your profession?

• What is one thing that I should really enjoy if I’m to be successful in your field?

• Are there any industry journals or publications that would help me understand more about your work?

• What is the most difficult part of your job?

• What kind of continuing education is required for your position?

• Do you feel that your industry has many opportunities for growth and development?

• What kind of professional development do you engage in?

• What colleges and majors would you recommend for someone interested in your field?

Close the interview with thanks, and mention that you will also thank your mutual contact for facilitating the meeting. After the interview, be sure to send a handwritten thank you note and any other follow up that you agreed to provide.

Plan Your Future with Insight

Informational interviews are a powerful tool for creating your educational plan. By learning from someone whose feet are already on the ground in an industry, you have solid insight to inform your decision making process.

Hollenback Consulting provides college and career strategy services that empower students and young adults to make the best decisions for their futures. If you are looking for a higher education consultant or career coach, contact us for your free Strategy Session.