Informational Interviewing
Utilize an information interview to get an “insider’s view” on an industry, career path, or company. Not only will you learn about a particular organization or field, what opportunities are available and if you are a good “fit”, you can also use this as an opportunity to start building your network of contacts.
Tips to Remember
- Respect people’s time. Be flexible and don’t impose.
- Be organized. Have a purpose and make it clear. Prepare your questions in advance.
- Share information (briefly) about yourself. The individual may be able to give more meaningful responses if they understand more about you and your goals.
- Ask for permission for future contact.
Sample Questions to Ask to better understand an Industry / Company:
- What is the organizational structure of your company?
- Who do you see as your major competitors? What companies are rising quickly on the horizon?
- What challenges do you see in the near future for this industry?
- What sets your company apart from others in the industry?
- What trends do you see in the industry?
To identify a Possible Career Path:
- What are the most challenging aspects of your job?
- What led you to a career in…?
- Does your company encourage moves between functional areas within the company? How does that process typically work?
- What professional development programs are available in your company?
- What is the career path/progression like for this type of work?
- How would I go about finding a job in this particular field?
- What are the most important factors to make hiring decisions for people in this line of work?
- What professional organizations might have more information about this type of work?
- Based on our conversation, what types of people would you recommend I speak with to learn more? Can you recommend anyone?
To evaluate the Company Culture:
- Does your company have a reputation for being aggressive or do individuals with an aggressive personal style achieve greater success?
- How important is your network within the company to your success?
- How would you describe your company’s culture?
- Are individuals/groups rewarded for trying something new, even if the success is marginal?
Resources:
- The Quint Careers Information Interview Tutorial - www.quintcareers.com/informational_interviewing.html
