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3.3: Informational Interviews

Guid 1: Career Exploration · LibreTexts

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    In addition to online career resources, informational interviews are another way to gather information about a career.

    Informational interviews are meetings where you are the interviewer, and the person you meet has information you want—for example, about a specific job, organization, or industry. Informational interviews are a form of networking, but because the main goal is to gather information, they are included in this research unit.

    Many job seekers treat informational interviews like an interrogation, using a long list of questions. A better approach is to treat them as professional conversations. Informational interviews work best when you have already done some basic research. This allows you to go beyond simple questions and instead use the conversation to confirm, clarify, and expand what you already know.

    Figure 3.2 – View the brief YouTube video titled “Designing Your Career: The Informational Interview” for an introduction to informational interviewing. (link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=21&v=m6Pa4ZB4mvQ)

    Informational Interviews Are Two-Way Exchanges of Information

    Informational interviews should not be used as a shortcut for basic career research. While it may seem easier to just ask someone to explain their job or industry, there are several reasons why it is important to do your own research first:

    • Professionals are more likely to respond when you show preparation and genuine interest.
    • No single person can fully represent an entire job field or industry.
    • Their experience is personal and may not fully match your situation.
    • Without research, it is hard to ask thoughtful or specific questions.
    • You miss the chance to show that you are serious and prepared.

    When done well, informational interviews feel like real conversations. You share what you have learned from your research, and the professional adds their experience and perspective. This makes the conversation more natural and useful for both people.

    Most professionals are willing to do informational interviews and are often happy to help students who are exploring careers. The key is being respectful of their time and coming prepared.

    How to Set Up an Informational Interview

    • Identify someone working in a career you’re interested in
    • Find them through LinkedIn, family connections, instructors, counselors, or professional associations
    • Send a short email requesting 20–30 minutes of their time
    • Explain that you are gathering career information for a class
    • Be flexible with scheduling
    • Prepare your questions ahead of time

    Sample Informational Interview Questions

    You can start with general questions to learn about the person’s career path and daily experience:

    • How did you get started in this job, organization, or industry?
    • What inspired you to choose this career?
    • What do you enjoy most about your work?
    • What are the most challenging parts of your job?
    • What does a typical day, week, or month look like?
    • What surprised you most when you first entered this field?
    • What skills are most important for success in this career?
    • What personality traits tend to do well in this type of work?
    • What do you wish you knew before starting this job?

    These questions help you understand both the job itself and the person’s experience in it.

    Questions Based on Your Research

    Interest in their specific background establishes rapport because it shows you care about them specifically. It also gives you a foundation for questions to ask later because you know more about their experience. You want to get broader information about the industry, so you ask questions that reflect your research:

    • According to my research, the main competitors in this industry include [insert names]. Are there others I should know about?
    • I’ve read that [insert trend, challenge, or innovation] is affecting this field. Is that accurate in your experience?
    • Are there any trends that are more important than what is reported in the media?

    This is why research prior to the informational interview is so critical. You use your research findings as a springboard for conversation. You are not relying on the interviewee to think of everything and be the sole source of information. You are offering ideas, too. Informational interviews also enable you to dive deeper into what you previously researched.

    Career and Job Reality Questions

    You may also want to ask more direct career-related questions, such as:

    • What is the typical salary range for someone in this role?
    • What is the work environment like (pace, schedule, stress level, etc.)?
    • What is a typical career path in this field?
    • Does this career path vary by company or organization?
    • How would you describe the culture of your organization?
    • What types of companies hire people with this background?

    Skills and Preparation Questions

    These questions help you understand how to prepare for the field:

    • What skills are most important to develop for this career?
    • What education, training, or certifications are most helpful?
    • What experience should someone try to gain before entering this field?
    • Based on my background, how competitive would I be for this type of role?
    • What could I do now to improve my chances of entering this field?

    Important Reminder

    Informational interviews are not job interviews. You should never directly ask for a job. The goal is to gather information, build understanding, and expand your professional network.

    Be Polite: Common Rules of Etiquette Apply

    When requesting an informational interview, you may use phone, email, or mail. Each method has advantages and disadvantages:

    Table 3.1 - Possible Ways to Ask for an Informational Interview and Advantages and Disadvantages
    Approach By Advantages Disadvantages

    Phone

    		 • Potential for immediate response • For people who are difficult to reach, you cut through a lot of back and forth if you happen to reach them right away • Disruptive to the interviewee • You have very little time to introduce yourself and make your request

    Mail

    		 • Potential to stand out. Few people take the time to send mail anymore • Slow to arrive • Cannot confirm that the recipient receives or reads it

    E-mail

    		 • Fast but still gives you the opportunity to refine your draft • Recipient can respond right away or wait until later • Enables you to include hyperlinks for more information about you • Cannot confirm that the recipient receives or reads it

    Email is usually the best option for most students because it is professional, clear, and allows the recipient to respond at their convenience.

    When reaching out, keep your message short and professional. Introduce yourself, explain why you are contacting them, and request a brief meeting (usually 20–30 minutes). If someone referred you, mention that early in your message.

    A professional email signature (including your name, school, and LinkedIn profile if available) can also help the recipient learn more about you quickly.

    Key Etiquette Tips

    • Be respectful of their time
    • Keep your request brief and clear
    • Ask for a short meeting (20–30 minutes)
    • Be flexible with scheduling
    • Always be polite and professional

    Sample Informational Interview Email Approach

    Hello Ms. Barkley,

    My name is Joe Cougar, and I am a first-year college student at Gavilan College. I am enrolled in a career exploration course and am currently considering business marketing as my major. I have been researching this field and am interested in learning more about the profession. I would like an opportunity to meet with you to learn more about your work as VP of International Marketing at MPL Incorporated.

    I understand you have a busy schedule; however, I would appreciate any amount of time you can share with me. I am available Monday through Friday after 1:00 p.m. Please let me know your availability.

    I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your time.

    Regards,
    Joe Cougar
    Gavilan College Student
    http://www.linkedin.com/in/joesample

    Professional Etiquette After the Interview

    Common etiquette applies during and after the informational interview. Be on time and respectful of the agreed time. Keep the interview to 15–30 minutes unless invited to stay longer. Always be mindful of the professional’s schedule. Send a thank-you message within 24 hours. Email is the fastest and most common method, though a handwritten note can be a thoughtful option. At minimum, always send an email to ensure timely delivery.

    Sample Informational Interview Thank You Email

    Subject: Thank you for your time!

    Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to speak with me about your work at MPL Incorporated. Your job sounds fascinating, and it is clear that you enjoy what you do, which is important in my own career planning.

    I was especially interested in your work marketing products across different cultures. Learning about the different stages of your work gave me a better understanding of the field.

    I appreciate your advice about preparing for interviews and researching companies in advance. Your insights were very helpful.

    Thank you again for your time and expertise.

    Sincerely,
    Joe Cougar
    Gavilan College Student
    http://www.linkedin.com/in/joesample

    Reflection Activity

    Now that you have been introduced to informational interviewing, think about two careers you would like to learn more about and potentially conduct an informational interview for.

    List at least two careers you'd be interested in learning more about and potentially conducting an informational interview for?

    Think about professionals you could contact through friends, family, instructors, counselors, or professional associations. Use all available resources.

    Phone Script Preparation

    When calling to set up an informational interview, it is important to be prepared. What you say and how you say it can influence your success in scheduling an appointment.

    Sample Phone Script:

    Hello, my name is _________________________, and I am a (year in school) __________ student attending College of the Canyons. My counselor, (Name of person) __________________ suggested I contact you because I am interested in (insert your interest) ___________________, and I would like to learn more about this field.

    Would it be possible to schedule 20–30 minutes with you at your convenience to ask a few questions and get your advice on how to prepare for this career path?

    After the Interview

    Once the appointment is scheduled, prepare a list of questions in advance.

    After the interview, reflect on your experience:

    • What information was most helpful?
    • Do you see yourself pursuing this career?
    • Do you have any concerns?
    • What advice will you follow up on?

    Always send a thank-you email within 24 hours to show appreciation.

    This page titled 3.3: Informational Interviews was last modified on Sat, 27 Jun 2026 00:25:59 GMT and is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Graciela Martinez and Elizabeth Shaker.