What is an informational interview?

An informational interview provides you the opportunity to speak with someone working in a job, field or industry you are considering for your career. The premise is simple: If you really want to know what it is like to work in a specific job, field or industry, you should talk to someone actually working in that industry and get a first-hand perspective. Informational interviews are great ways to get the inside scoop on the career paths you are considering, develop your network of professional contacts, and get advice that will help you make better career decisions.

In an informational interview, you are the interviewer; the person with whom you are meeting is the interviewee. As the interviewer, it is your job to drive the conversation.

Why you should do informational interviews

There are four primary objectives for informational interviews:

• To gather information about a job or career area you are considering, so that you can make a sound decision as to whether or not you wish to pursue that career path;
• To seek advice regarding how you can best prepare to enter or advance in this field/profession;
• To ask your interviewee for assistance entering or advancing in the field/profession after you have determined that you actually wish to do so; and
• To request referrals from the interviewee to others in the field/profession that might be valuable contacts for your career search.

For more information on how to conduct informational interviews, download our Informational Interviewing handout or schedule an appointment with a CCS career advisor by calling 512-471-9421. Career advising is available to CCS registrants only.