Informational Interviews

Informational interviews can take place in person or over the phone. Keep the conversation to 20–30 minutes.

How to Get Started

Make contact with a professional through your personal network, LinkedIn, or the company website to arrange a meeting to discuss your interests. If you are reaching out to a contact via email, be sure to include the following information:

• A personal introduction – include your full name, major, and year.
• A clear explanation of why you want to talk to this person, specifically.
• A call to action – what you want to get from this person. For example, "I would like to schedule a phone call with you to talk about your experience with..."

Before you proceed to connect with your contact over the phone or in person, make sure to have the following in front of you:

• Résumé – This will help you speak intelligently and in an organized manner about your experiences.
• Calendar – It is important to have your schedule ready with your availability.
• Paper and pen – Take notes, always make sure to ask for the correct spelling of names.
• Quiet room – Call from a quiet place so you may speak professionally without interruptions.

Be Prepared

• Research the company – Use the company website, Firsthand, LinkedIn, or Glassdoor to find company information. Try searching for any current events related to the organization or the industry.
• Bring an updated résumé or email it to your contact before you talk. This contact wants to get to know you as well!
• Dress appropriately.
• Be on time – If you are talking over the phone, make sure you know who will be calling who and you have their contact information.
• Prepare direct questions in order to learn more about a specific career track or industry – If you find yourself asking "What does your company do," or "What do you do," you are not setting yourself up to gather useful information.

Important Points to Remember

• This is not a sneaky way to get in the back door of a company for a job interview. Do not turn this informational interview into a job interview.
• Know when to end the interview. If you told the interviewee you would only take 30 minutes of their time, make sure you wrap up the interview in that time frame. Remarks such as "I don't want to go over the 30 minutes I asked for, so let me ask you a final question" can be used to let the interviewee know you are keeping your word.
• Ask for the interviewee's business card and if you can stay in touch.
• Thank the interviewee and follow up with a thank-you email.

Questions

Prepare a list of questions to review with your contact before you connect. Limit the number of closed-ended (yes/no answers) questions. Prioritize your questions. The most important questions to ask are questions that you want answered. Below are some helpful examples:

• Can you tell me about your career path? What influenced your decision to move from position to position?
• What is your favorite part about working at (company) as a (job title)?
• What advice do you have for someone who is interested in pursuing a career in this field?
• How do you think I can stand out to a potential employer in this field? Are there certain skills or experiences that you think are essential for me to highlight?

Here are a few additional topics to consider: