INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWING

An informational interview is a contact with a person in your field of interest for the purpose of obtaining:

• Information on your field which will help you refine and clarify your career objective;
• Information about employers, career paths as well as required experience and training within your field;
• Advice based on a professional’s own career experiences;
• Facts about a specific community, or suggestions on more general issues such as career changing or alternative work options; and
• Referrals to additional contacts for more information and advice.

People are a rich source of career-related information, much of which is unavailable in written form. Individuals can discuss current issues in the field with you and provide the perspective attained from their own experiences.

In a low-key, non-threatening fashion, informational interviewing brings you to the attention of professionals in a particular field. As a result of this activity, you can develop a network of professionals who may be helpful during your job search. However, it is important to remember that contacts most often agree to provide information and advice, not job leads.

Identifying Professionals to Contact

• Use the on line CRC Alumni Career Network (ACN). Members of the ACN are Lesley alumni who have offered to share their time and career experiences with Lesley students or fellow alumni. A link to the Alumni Career Network can be found at www.lesley.edu/crc/.
• Take an inventory of all the people you know who are in your field of interest or who know someone in your field (e.g., faculty, classmates, past and present co-workers, work associates and supervisors, family, friends, and acquaintances).
• Attend workshops, seminars, and conferences of professional associations in order to meet people (participants and presenters) who may be able to provide you with information.
• Read professional journals and newsletters as well as newspaper articles to identify those actively involved in the field.
• Contact the alumni office of other colleges you have attended or use alumni directories and clubs.Call specific organizations to gather names of people who are working in the field you are exploring. It may be beneficial to speak with both entry level professionals as well as those higher in the organization.
•  Remember to ask for names of other professionals to contact before leaving an informational interview, if appropriate.

Means of Contacting

• Contact professionals by letter, telephone, or email depending on your knowledge of the individual and organization. A letter or email may be better if you are not being referred by a mutual acquaintance. Alumni Career Network members must be contacted initially by email. You may request a brief (20 minute) phone or in person meeting. It is best to set up informational interviews with two or more professionals to receive a more well-rounded picture of the field.
• Whether by letter, telephone, or email, clearly state who you are, why you wish to talk with them and for how long, and the general kind of information you are requesting. If you write, follow up the letter with a telephone call. Identify yourself and indicate that you are calling in regard to the letter you sent. (See the sample letter requesting an informational interview in this handout).
• An email must be professional in tone and format. You do not have to put the name and address of the professional at the top of the email. Begin the email with "Dear Ms./Mr. __________" and write the email in paragraph form.
• A personal meeting may not possible due to location and/or the contact's time constraints. You may wish to set up an appointment to talk by telephone

Preparation

• Plan your meeting carefully to avoid wasting time in obtaining basic information. Research the professional's field and organization prior to your meeting; research and preparation assists you in asking thoughtful questions and presenting a professional image. Information can be found on the Internet, in career center libraries, professional journals, or by reviewing the organization's web site.
• Since it is up to you to structure the interview, develop a list of well researched questions to be used as a guide during your informational interview. The questions should be open-ended, giving the individual an opportunity to provide you with as much information as possible. (A typical list of questions is included in this handout.)

Professional Presentation

• Arrive for the meeting on time. Be enthusiastic, well prepared and professionally dressed.
• In the opening minutes of the interview, restate your purpose in contacting the individual. For example, "I came to talk with you because I am pursuing a career in ________ and wish to learn more about the field (organization/community) or "I am a student at Lesley University studying _________. I am interested in learning more about career opportunities in ________." This sets the tone and encourages an easy flow of information.
• Most people interviewed will respond willingly to your questions and are happy to be put in the role of advisor. Be sure to convey that you value the individual's input, but remember that you are hearing only one professional's opinion.
• To protect the credibility of the informational interview, it is important not to misuse the contact's assistance by asking for a job during the interview. Near the end of a successful meeting, it may be appropriate to ask about job opportunities or referrals to other professionals, but do not ask for a job. Use tact and discretion.
• Be sensitive to the professional's schedule; keep to the agreed upon time unless you are invited to stay longer.

Follow-up

• Follow up each meeting with a thank you letter or email expressing gratitude for the help you received. If the interview went extremely well and the individual agreed to keep you in mind regarding future opportunities, remind him or her that you appreciate the assistance. For additional help on thank you letters, refer to the Career Resource Center handout, "Thank You Letters".
• Keep detailed records on your interviews, such as date of meeting, what transpired, and additional contact names.
•  Maintain copies of all correspondence.

Informational Interviewing - Some Typical Questions

Use these questions as a general guide. You may wish to add to this list based on your specific field or interests. Remember that questions should be open ended in nature (using words such as "what and "how"), allowing the individual as much latitude in responding to your questions as possible.

•  What is your background (both academic and work experience) and how did it lead you to this position?
• How would you describe your day-to-day job responsibilities?
• What is the most rewarding part of your work?
• What is the most frustrating or challenging aspect of your work?
• What do you wish you had known about this field or organization before you entered it?
•  In your opinion, what is the best way to get started in this field?
• What is unique about your job or organization as compared with others which are similar?
• What special knowledge, skills, or personal characteristics are needed (in this field, organization, or position)?
• Can you describe your organization's culture, values, and expectations?
• What do career paths look like in this field or organization?
• Is the field growing? If so, in what areas? What are the biggest issues facing this field or organization?
• What strategies would you suggest for those looking for a position in the field?
• What does the future look like for professionals entering the field?
• Are there any special concerns or issues for women in your field?
• How would you suggest that I learn more about the field (e.g., journals, publications, professional associations, workshops, seminars, conferences, etc.)?
• Can you suggest others I might contact regarding things we have discussed today? May I use your name when contacting them?

Sample Letter Format Requesting an Informational Interview

Thank You Letter After an Informational Interview

For Further Help

Many career development experts have focused on the techniques of networking and informational interviewing. You may wish to make an appointment to speak to a career counselor or refer to the following resources in our Career Resource Library under the Job Search section.

• Alumni Career Network Online - www.lesley.edu/crc
• nformation Interviewing: How to Tap Your Hidden Job Market, Martha Stoodley, 1997
• Job Hunting in the 21st Century, Carol A. Hacker, 1999
• Network Your Way to Job and Career Success, Ronald L. and Caryle Rae Krannich, 1993
• Networking for Everyone, L. Michelle Tullier, 1998
• What Color is Your Parachute?, Richard Nelson Bolles, 2000

Rev. 5/2005