Tips to prepare for an informational interview

An informational interview is a chance to learn more about the responsibilities and growth opportunities in a role, gain insight into an industry, and build your network. It can help you determine if the career is a good fit for you and how to best prepare for it.

However, keep in mind that the informational interview is not your big chance to ask for a job. If you tell someone you want to meet to learn more about their field or company, and then end by asking for a job, they might feel deceived by the sudden request. If the conversation leads to a job down the road, great. But don’t create a situation where the interviewee feels they were tricked.

Start by talking to your family, friends, and mentors about your goals. There is a good chance someone in your network can make an introduction to a person in your target career. You might be surprised to learn that your little brother’s soccer coach works for your dream company or your best friend’s neighbor works in the job you want to learn more about.

If your connections aren’t able to introduce you to someone in your target career, sites like LinkedIn can be a good place to make new connections. If you attended college, your alumni network can also be a valuable resource. While it can be daunting to reach out to people without a formal introduction, many people will still respond favorably if you show you’re genuinely interested in what they do.

Once you have identified someone you want to interview, reach out via phone or email. Be sure to mention how you got the person’s name. If you were put in contact by a mutual acquaintance, it’s a good chance to remind them of the connection.

Ask them if they have time to schedule a 20-30 minute conversation, and emphasize that you’re interested in learning more about their role. They will be more likely to respond favorably if they feel confident that you’re not going to ask them for a job.

Also, be prepared to seize the moment. If the person says they have a few minutes to chat, make sure your questions are prepared in advance so that you can get the most out of the conversation.

While the informational interview is a chance to learn more about a career or field, you’ll get more out of the interview if you do your homework in advance. Research the role and learn about the person you’re about to meet. If you ask questions that could easily be answered by a google search, you’ve wasted the interviewee’s time and lost your opportunity to gain more valuable information. Instead, come prepared with open-ended questions like “What are some of the challenges in your role?” and “What are the skills you need to be successful in your job?” Asking the interviewee to reflect on their experiences will give you better insight into the role and can also help you to build a more lasting connection.

Be punctual! That holds true whether you’re meeting in person or chatting over the phone. The person you’re interviewing is giving you their time. Show that you appreciate their efforts by sticking with the schedule and showing up prepared.

Begin the meeting by sharing information about your academic and work background, as well as your objectives for the meeting. Use your questions to help guide the interview, but allow the conversation to flow naturally. Keep an eye on the time and acknowledge when you’ve reached the end of your scheduled meeting. If they offer to continue talking, feel free to ask more questions - just make sure you’ve given them an out and that they’re not fidgeting because they’re late for their next meeting.

You’ve been given a gift of time and information. Show your appreciation by sending the person you interviewed a thank you note. (A handwritten note is a nice touch!)

If they offered to introduce you to another colleague or share information about a conference, this is also an opportunity to reiterate your interest in learning more. Just be sure to follow up if they make a new introduction!

Remember that every conversation is an opportunity. Whether the informational interview leads to a job or helps you realize that the career you had in mind isn’t a good fit for you after all, it can give you the tools to make informed decisions about your career path.