Informational Interviews at a glance

WHY SHOULD I DO INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS?

Informational interviewing is a specialized kind of networking. Informational interviewing can help you identify suitable careers or work environments and generate actual job leads.

WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS?

• You are not asking the person for a job. You are gathering information to use in your job search.
  
  
• Explain how you obtained their name.
  
  
• Make your initial contact by letter explaining your intent unless you have been specifically invited to call. Follow your letter with a phone call to arrange an appointment.
  
  
• If possible arrange to meet at their place of work. You will have a chance to see their work environment and meet other contacts.
  
  
• Dress in professional attire just as you would for an employment interview.
  
  
• Be prepared to take the lead.
  
  
• Be sure to send a thank you letter immediately following the interview.

WHAT QUESTIONS SHOULD I ASK DURING AN INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW?

THEME 1: THEIR JOB 

• What do you do as a .........................?

• How do you spend your typical day/week at work?

• What types of legal issues do you deal with?

• Who are your clients?

• What do you find the most and least satisfying about your job?

THEME 2: THEIR CAREER FIELD 

• What are the positive/negative aspects of working in this field?

• What are typical entry level jobs?

• What is the job market like in this region, e.g. Texas?

• Is there a definite career path in this field? Can you describe it?

• How did you enter this field and what has been your career path?

• What are the current issues and trends in this field?

THEME 3: THEIR ORGANIZATION

• How does your job fit into the organization/department?

• What are the toughest challenges your organization faces?

• What is the "corporate climate" here, i.e. is it very informal, formal, do people work autonomously, what are the hours like?

THEME 4: THEIR ADVICE

• Could someone with my background in this region of the country find a job in this field?

• What kind of suggestions can you give me so that I can break into this field?

• Can you suggest anyone else I could contact for additional information about this field or region?

• Could you recommend professional journals to read?

• What professional associations do you belong to? Do they have student memberships?