Informational Interviews

Interview and Negotiate

Interview Tips
   • Types of Interviews
       º Informational Interviews

Schedule Interviews

Key Questions
   • Legal Interview Questions

Interview Follow-up

Salary Negotiation
   • Sample Salary Questions
     and Answers

Employee Benefits
    • Why They're Important
    • Types of Benefits
    • Useful Facts
    • Are You Ready to
      Negotiate?

Part of researching job opportunities is to conduct informational interviews. Informational interviews help you to:

Find out whether jobs are available in the field or business that you want to enter.
Find out more about companies where you may want to work.
Learn what the industry or company values in its employees.
Evaluate how your Skills and interests fit with a particular career or business.

Informational interviews are not job interviews. However, they are a good opportunity to get additional leads and referrals that will help tap the "hidden job market" even when there are no current job openings. Use the links below to find tips on conducting professional interviews and leaving a good impression:

Contacting people to interview
Preparing for the interview
Conducting the interview
Following up

Contacting people to interview

The first step is identifying people to interview. Ask your friends and families for names of people who work in the profession that you are hoping to enter. You might also have names from other research that you have conducted.

When setting up the interview:

Introduce yourself and why you are calling.
Indicate where you got the person's name.
Ask if the person would be available for a short meeting to discuss his or her occupation.

You may also want to explain a little about your own background and why their occupation appeals to you. Be sure that they do not get the impression that you are asking them for a job.

Preparing for the interview

To make best use of your interview time, know in advance what questions you are going to ask. For example, you might want to ask:

What is a day on this job really like?
What do you like about your job? Dislike?
Is your job typical of others in this field?
What's the corporate culture like here? (Hours, salary, titles)
Which firms do you think are your toughest competitors, and how do they differ from your company?
How did you get into this field?
How do you stay current in your knowledge?
What kind of experience or training is required?
What are employers looking for? (Skills, education, experience)
May I have a copy of a job description?
What is the potential for advancement?
What are current job prospects like?
Are there related fields I might want to look into if few jobs are available in my primary career goal?
What's the best way to find out about jobs in this field?
Can you refer me to someone else in this field?

Bring a copy of your resume in case you have the opportunity to have it critiqued or to leave it with the person who interviews you.

Conducting the interview

The person with whom you are meeting might be a valuable contact. So, even though this is not a job interview, you want to make a good impression. Here are some tips to keep in mind (you might also want to read about Interviews and Negotiations):

Dress professionally.
Take notes.
Look for an opportunity to talk about your resume.
Stick to the time limit that you agreed on when you set up the interview.
Ask for names of other people to contact.
Ask for a business card for your records.
Thank the person for taking the time to meet with you.

Following up

Don't forget to send a thank-you note as part of your Interview Follow-up. A business card will contain the information you need to be sure the note is delivered to the recipient.

Source: Creative Job Search, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.
Page last updated in August 2008.