Informational Interviews

What is an Informational Interview?

Informational interviewing is a short conversation (usually 20-30 minutes) with a person in a specific career field in order to learn more about a certain career field, opportunity, or organization with someone who works there. This provides a chance to ask about specific skills required for the job, daily responsibilities, related career paths, and what the work is like. Informational interviews allow you to observe the work environment, learn about the general working conditions, and ask about information not readily available in books or online.

Informational interviewing is not an interview for a job. It can, however, help you focus your job search and assist you in developing important networking relationships within the world of work. Informational interviews can help you make important decisions about your career, give you exposure on the job market and allow you to boost your self-esteem.

Benefits of Informational Interviewing

  • Get inside knowledge about a position, field, or industry
  • Learn what it’s like to work for a specific employer
  • Expand your professional network of contacts

Five Steps of Informational Interviewing

  • Use online resources like the Labor Market Tool and O*Net to research the career field, industry and/or employer you want to learn more about.

  • Start with people you already know. Leverage your current network, including family, friends, professors, former employers and community members. Even if they aren’t directly involved in your areas of interest, they can connect you with others who are.
  • Search for Augsburg alumni on LinkedIn to start a connection. Go to Augsburg’s LinkedIn profile and click on “Alumni”. You can search by title, industry, employers or keywords. Once you narrowed it down, click on the alumn’s profile and see what experiences you’re interested in learning more. Click “Connect” and “Add a Note.”
  • Sample Note: Hi XX. I’m a current Augsburg student studying marketing. I think your role as a digital product director in the medical field is fascinating. Would you mind if I ask you some questions to learn more?”

  • Develop a brief introduction of yourself and your hopes for the meeting. Review the Elevator Pitch section in the Personal Branding resource.
  • Note* The goal of an informational interview is to gather information and NOT asking for an interview for a job.
  • Plan open-ended questions to ask:

About the position/role:

  • Tell me about your work. What are the activities and responsibilities connected with your job?
  • Please describe a routine day or week.
  • When and in what position did you start?
  • What do you like about your job? What are the pressures, challenges, and frustrations of your work?
  • What entry-level jobs are typical in this career field?
  • How competitive is entry into this field? What is the outlook for future openings?
  • What salary range can one expect at entry-level? What is the salary for an advanced position?
  • What are the advancement possibilities? Is additional education necessary?
  • What professional organization do people in this field belong to?

Professional History:

  • How did you begin your career?
  • How relevant is your major to your work?
  • How did your college experience support your career path?
  • Who were the key people in your life who helped you progress in your career?

Preparation/Professional Development:

  • What kind of education, training or background does your job require?
  • What recommendations do you have for someone who would like to enter this field?
  • Who else might you suggest I talk to for additional information? May I use your name to introduce myself?

  • Present yourself appropriately for the work environement you’re exploring. (If you’re unsure, dress business casual or business professional).
  • If you’re meeting in person, be punctual, arriving on time or even early. If you’re meeting virtually, log on early and test your technology. Make sure you are in a quiet space and minimize distractions. Utilize the blur feature on Zoom, Google Meet or Teams for your background and TURN ON your camera.
  • Bring your list of questions and take notes.
  • Provide a brief introduction of yourself (your elevator pitch).
  • Be ready to guide the conversation, but allow it to flow naturally and encourage the interviewee to do most of the talking. Respect their time and stick to the agreed-upon duration.
  • Before concluding, ask if you can reach out again with additional questions and/or request recommendations for other contacts.
  • Express your appreciation for the interviewee’s time, information or guidance.

  • Keep notes and record any takeaways, note any additional questions you still have.
  • Send a thank you note or email 1-2 days after your meeting.
  • Offer to return the favor if the opportunity arises to foster a mutually beneficial relationship.
  • Keep in touch if you had a good rapport with the interviewee, if you follow their advice/guidance and share any updates you have.

Tips for Informational Interviews

  • Prepare and practice: while it’s different from a job interview, you’ll still want to come in with knowledge about the role, who the person is, and perhaps what trends are occurring in this field of work.
  • Keep informational interviews to 30 minutes or less.
  • Think like a journalist: use questions driven by “who, what, where, when, why, and how”
  • Send a thank you card or email and find a way to stay connected with the interviewee.
  • An informational interview is NOT asking for a job. Your goal is to gather information about the career, role or industry and build your professional network. Maintaining a positive relationship may lead to job opportunities in the future.