December 12, 2024

Interested in learning more about a new industry or position within your chosen field? Setting up an informational interview could be the way to go. These casual meetings are a great way to gain insight without having a lot at stake.

“An informational interview allows you to tap into the pulse of an industry,” says Anna Tsui, an international entrepreneur, writer, and speaker. “You can get an idea of who the players are, their reputations, and the trends in the marketplace. You may be able to garner insight that’s not mainstream or easily accessible.”

You can set up an informational interview at any point to learn more about a potential career: during an internship (including a virtual internship), before or after you graduate, or even years into an existing career if you want to change fields.

An informational interview could provide powerful insight for your next career move. For example, you can learn if a graduate degree will help you break into a new industry — or what competition for open positions is like right now.

Understand the benefits of an informational interview

“I see an informational interview as having two purposes,” says career counselor L. Michelle Tullier, Ph.D. The former executive director of the Georgia Institute of Technology’s career center says these interviews are a key part of your career exploration and decision-making and are also a great way to network.

“If you do it right, it’s a little of both,” she says. “If you’re impressing the person, they will likely want to help you and connect you to opportunities.”

Tullier adds that thinking long-term and being patient are important. “Hiring at the entry level, whether it’s interns or recent grads, is mission critical to most companies’ long-range talent-management strategies.”

Identify the right people

“Start with who you know and who your family knows,” says Tullier. But don’t panic if you feel your family isn’t well connected.

University alumni groups are a great resource for identifying informational interview subjects, as are professors you know well and people you’ve worked with in the past.

LinkedIn is also useful for networking. “You can search your first- and second-degree contacts as well as people who match the keywords for fields you are considering,” says Tullier.

Also, consider talking with someone who is almost a peer — just a few years out of college — in a position you aspire to all. They can give you an on-the-ground perspective, which could complement any information you get from a department head or CEO.

Potential informational interview subjects could also stem from your curiosity about others.

“Whether you are intentionally trying to set up a meeting or not, ask people questions about themselves when you meet them and listen,” suggests Lara Schulte, certified behavior specialist and business coach. “People love to talk and share information about themselves — and even more than that, they like to feel heard.”

Reach out and schedule the meeting

Remember, you’re requesting a favor. Make things as easy as possible for the other person by keeping the back-and-forth minimal. Here’s how:

• Give them two to three options for times you’re available to talk. (“I could connect any time after 2:00 p.m. on the fourth of this month or any time before 11:00 a.m. on the ninth.”)
• Check your email inbox frequently for their reply or any alert that they’ll need to adjust the time.
• Offer to meet based on their preference: phone, video chat, or in person.
• Send a calendar invite to their work email address to lock in the time. Include the specifics of how the meeting will happen (such as video conference meeting links) and your contact information in case they need to reschedule. Set the event to request a reply.
• Don’t ask for more than 15 minutes of their time, but you should also be available beyond that time if the conversation runs longer. Let them lead.

Tips for a good online informational interview

Here’s how to make a good first impression.

• Test your digital platform ahead of time to head off any technical glitches, especially if you’re unfamiliar with it.
• Use a video option if possible to keep the experience similar to an in-person meeting.
• Make sure you feel comfortable and confident. Dress as you would for an in-person interview and be mindful of your posture.
• Find a neutral background and avoid sitting in messy or cluttered areas.
• Minimize background noise. In your test run, see if sounds like a typing keyboard or your air conditioner are distracting.
• Turn off other apps or software that could steal your focus. This isn’t the time to text or multitask.

Prepare for your informational interview ahead of time

Being ready for the meeting is key. Although this is not a job interview, you want your informational interview to open with a concise summary of who you are and what you are looking for — your “elevator pitch.” This will help the interviewee understand what kind of input might help you determine if the company or industry would be a good fit for you.

Additionally, have a strong introduction and closing for your informational interview. In between, be ready to pivot or anticipate where the conversation could lead. It’s OK if you don’t know the answer to any of the questions right away. Just ask for some time to think about it and see if you can circle back to it later.

You should also research the company and the person you’re meeting with before you talk to anyone. “You want to show you’ve done your homework,” Tullier says. Knowing something about the company, especially if it’s been in the news recently, could be beneficial throughout the conversation.

Familiarize yourself with your interviewee’s résumé — even if you already know them personally. Avoid simpler questions such as, “What is your job?” or “What was your major?” Instead, dig deeper by asking what they’ve done to be more effective or satisfied in their career, or if their work involves more solo projects or team collaborations. It might also be useful to know what skills have served them best in their career.

Try to include questions that are also customized to your interests. If you love to write or travel, you might ask how those might be involved in the job.

If the person already knows you, ask if they think you would do well in this industry or at their company. Ask about the company culture, such as what people like or find challenging about working there. Inquire about the company or industry and about overall expectations for a role in both.

Schulte notes that it’s worth asking if there are other people you should meet with too. They may think of someone they work with or have worked with in the past who you should get to know. “Let them help you continue to create your network of professionals,” she says.

And one last recommendation: Don’t request favors or directly ask about positions within the person’s company or for details about pay or benefits.

Follow up after the informational interview

Always remember to touch base with the person you met with by writing a follow-up email expressing your gratitude. It’s a small gesture that only takes a few minutes of your time, but it can have a big impact on the recipient. You can also offer to return the favor by asking if there’s anything you can do to help them too.

Remember: An informational interview is useful for career research, but it isn’t an actual job interview. Just because you landed an informational interview with an executive at your dream company doesn’t mean you’ll be walking away with a new gig. But it could give you an in at the company or a connection with someone who may vouch for you when a position becomes available.