Informational Interviewing

One way to learn more about an occupation and make an important contact is an informational interview. Find someone in a field of interest and ask if you could have 15-20 minutes of their time to learn more about their field. Join Flyer Connection or utilize the UD LinkedIn Alumni tool to find a contact for an informational interview. 

KNOW WHAT YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH

The primary objectives of informational interviewing are to: 

1. Investigate a specific career field.
2. Uncover career options you never knew existed.
3. Assist in narrowing (or expanding) options. 
4. Obtain advice on where your skills might be applied. 
5. Learn about important issues in a career field. 
6. Broaden your own network of contacts for future reference. 

BE PREPARED FOR THE INTERVIEW

Before meeting someone for an informational interview, you should:

1. Learn as much as you can about the organization.
2. Have your questions written down.
3. Learn about the career field.
4. Watch this CareerSpots video on informational interviewing. 
5. Be yourself and relax.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS FOR AN INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW

• What are the most interesting aspects of your job?
• What do you do in a typical day?
• How did you enter this job/career?
• How would you recommend someone break into this field?
• What educational background is required?
• What kind of experience would help in this career?
• Are there specific courses a student might take that would be particularly beneficial in this field?
• What are the disadvantages and advantages to this career?
• Is a great deal of travel connected with this job?
• What types of training do companies give to people entering this field?
• What technologies are integrated into this career?
• What recommendations would you have for an entry-level person considering this career?
• What special advice would you give to someone entering this field?
• How do you see the jobs in the field changing over the next ten years? What could someone do to prepare for such changes?
• How can I learn more about this career/job?
• What professional organizations are active and responsive in this career field?
• Who else would you recommend I contact for more information about this career?
• Do you have any career literature that contains job descriptions/specifications for positions in this field?