INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS (Informational Interview Guide (PDF))

The career development process is comprised of various stages including assessment, career exploration, decision-making, and finally the career/job search. Informational interviews are generally conducted during the career exploration phase.

An informational interview helps you to gain real world input so you can better assess your career objective and plans. Additionally, informational interviews can help you:

• Learn first-hand what it is like doing a particular kind of work in certain industries/organizations
• Obtain information about various opportunities in a given career field or organization.
• Develop networking contacts with professionals who are currently employed in your chosen profession.
• Practice selling your skills, interests, and abilities in a relaxed interviewing situation.
• Make decisions regarding both educational and professional choices and goals.

The Office of Career Services, through its Alumni and Professional Mentor Program, can help you find a professional in your chosen field to conduct an informational interview.

HOW TO APPROACH AN INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW

Once you have identified individuals who are able to provide you with relevant information about the career field/profession it is time to prepare for the informational interview.

There are three types of informational interviews face-to-face, phone, and via e-mail
(e-mentoring). Regardless of the type of informational interview you will conduct there are a few steps you need to take to prepare for the interview. These steps include the initial phone call, selecting the type of interview, setting up the appointment, creating interview questions and preliminary research to obtain a general background of the company/profession. The next few pages will outline each step of the informational interview process.

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER FOR AN INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW

During the career exploration phase, you are in the process of acquiring information to make some decisions about your major and/or future career goals. Therefore you want to learn as much as you can about the field and the opportunities for someone with your education and background. In addition, you want to use your time with your interviewee wisely and make certain you are prepared with the proper questions. Listed below is a sample of typical questions you can ask during an informational interview. Use them as a guide to help develop the questions you find most important to you during your interview. The questions are divided into three categories: Planning, On the Job, and Looking Ahead.

PLANNING:

• What do you think are the important skills, experience, and educational requirements needed to be successful in this field?
• What would you recommend students do to prepare to work in their field of interest, i.e. internships, cooperative education placements, volunteer activities, campus activities?
• Which undergraduate courses do you feel were most helpful to your career? Are there any courses, beyond major requirements, that you think might be advantageous to take during my educational preparation?
• What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about entering this field?
• What are some different ways that people come to work in this field?
• What are the entry-level opportunities found within this career field?
• What professional organization(s) do you recommend for students interested in this field to join?

ON-THE-JOB

• What do you find most satisfying about your career?
• What are the most challenging aspects of this career?
• What is a typical day like?
• What is the typical work schedule in this field?
• Please describe the work environment, conditions, and job setting.
• What type of supervision would an entry-level person receive in this field?
• What type of training does an entry-level person receive?
• What are the entry level salary ranges for a position within your organization and/or in the field?
• Are there any professional development activities within your organization?
• What level of computer technology do you feel is important to work in this field? Are there any specific software packages that you use regularly?

LOOKING AHEAD:

• Describe the advancement path in this field?
• Where else could someone with your background work?
• Is it important to consider obtaining a graduate degree in order to advance in this field?
• What major changes have you noted in this field? What additional changes do you foresee?
  

TYPES OF INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS

FACE TO FACE INTERVIEWS

MAKING THE PHONE CALL

If you have never conducted an informational interview with someone who you are unfamiliar with, you might feel a little apprehensive. We encourage you to rehearse an introduction in front of a mirror or with a friend before you call. Remember that our mentors have graciously volunteered to assist students by providing career related information and advice, therefore you can anticipate that they will be very receptive to your call.

Begin the call by identifying yourself and the purpose of your call. Remember that titlehough mentors expect students to call, your specific call will be unexpected. After a short introduction ask the mentor if he/she is able to take your call at that moment. If the mentor is unable to speak to you, simply ask when would be a better time to call back and make sure to call at the agreed upon time.

SETTING UP THE APPOINTMENT

• Before you place the call have a calendar accessible and be flexible when setting up your appointment with the mentor
• Write down the time, date and location of your appointment
• If you are unfamiliar with the location ask for directions
• Provide your mentor with a number where you can be contacted if he/she needs to cancel or reschedule the appointment
• Let the mentor know that you will call the day before to confirm

PREPARING FOR THE INTERVIEW

• Dress professionally. titlehough this is not an employment interview its important to present yourself in a professional manner
• Be prepared to take the lead in the interview
• If you are interested in taking notes during the interview bring a pad and pen with you. Make sure to ask the interviewer for permission if you wish to take notes or use a tape recorder
• Conduct preliminary research to obtain general information about your field of interest (suggested websites: www.careerzone.com, www.rileyguide.com
• Prepare the questions that you want to ask the mentor prior to the interview

CONDUCTING THE INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW

• Arrive on time
• Be professional and polite
• Maintain good posture and eye contact. Good eye contact is indication that you are interested in what the person is saying
• If you would like to contact the person again, simply state that you have enjoyed talking to him/her and would like to know if you could contact them in the future with additional questions
• Ask for a business card and thank the person for his/her time and information

FOLLOWING UP

Within two days of the informational interview send a thank you card. Be sure to thank the person for the information received and the time spent with you.

PHONE INTERVIEWS

If you are unable to schedule a face to face interview you may schedule a phone interview instead. We discourage students from conducting the interview the day of the initial call because the mentor may not be able to give you the amount of time that you may need to benefit from the mentoring experience. We recommend that when you place the initial call you arrange to conduct the interview at a later date. Please make sure to call at the agreed upon time.

E-MENTORING

If arranging a face to face interview or a phone interview is impossible for you or the mentor, you can benefit from the mentoring experience by connecting with a mentor via email.. Through email messages, mentors can provide students with invaluable personal information about their professional lives and career development. E-mentoring certainly alleviates stress associated with first impressions. You don’t have to worry about your clothes, appearance, voice and handshake. However, first impressions also count in cyberspace. Therefore plan your posting before you send it. If you opt to email a mentor follow the recommendations below

• Address the mentor by his/her last name
• State who you are and the school you attend
• Indicate who referred you
• State the purpose of your email
• If you wish to be contacted by phone, include a number where you can be contacted and the best time to be reached
• Proof read your messages to make sure that they are free of grammatical or spelling errors