Informational Interviewing - A Career Management Strategy

Have you ever conducted an informational interview? If not, consider adding it to your career management to-do list. Informational interviewing is a great strategy for expanding your professional network. Whether you’re actively job searching, interested in learning about a new field or company, or just looking to broaden your network, informational interviewing is a strategic tool to help you reach your goal.

The purpose of an informational interview is to gain knowledge and insight directly from professionals in your career field of interest, while making important contacts for your network.  Take advantage of your UK alumni network and reach out to fellow alumni in your target field. LinkedIn’s new alumni tool (www.linkedin.com/alumni) is a good resource to find alumni in your geographic region, industry and/or company of interest. Informational interviewing is not the platform to ask for a job; rather, it’s a chance for you to meet new professionals and gain advice from others in your field. We recommend that you prepare a list of specific questions that you’d like to address prior to the meeting. Think about what you’d really like to take away from the conversation, and customize your questions accordingly.

Dress to impress. First impressions are lasting, and you want to put your best foot forward. Ask for 20-30 minutes of their time, and be sure to send a thank you note after the meeting.

Here’s a list of sample informational interview questions to help you get the ball rolling:

·         How did you get started in this career field?  Describe a typical day at work.

·         What do you like most and least about your career/job?

·         What professional organizations would you recommend for someone in this field?

·         What advice would you give to someone who is considering a career in your field?

·         Where do you see this industry going in the next 3 – 5 years? What trends are emerging?

·         How have career assessments and knowledge of self been helpful in getting into this field?

·         Who/what have been some of your greatest career influences.

·         What role has networking played in your career? How did you build your network?

·         What do you know now that you wish you would have known when you graduated from college?

·         Have you had mentors along the way? Describe what you have learned from them.

·         What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your career?

·         How do you balance work and family life in your career?

·         Talk about how the connections you made at UK continue to help you in your career.

·         What was your greatest career challenge/mistake and what did you learn from it?

·         In hindsight, what college courses did you miss out on taking that would have been helpful?

·         What are your future career goals?  

·         In this tight economy, what job search advice would you like to share with others?

·         What do you do for professional development and/or what are some things you do to remain competitive in your career?

·         What advice would you give someone interested in breaking into this career field?

·         If someone with my experience were applying for an entry-level position in this field, what suggestions would you have to increase the likelihood of obtaining an interview?

·         Do you know another professional in this field that would be willing to talk to me as well?