How to Structure an Informational Interview
Short answer
To structure an informational interview effectively, start by researching the interviewee and clarifying your goals. Organize your conversation with a clear introduction, focused open-ended questions, active listening, and a thoughtful closing. This ensures a productive dialogue that respects the interviewee’s time and maximizes learning opportunities.
What do you need before starting an informational interview?
Preparation is crucial for a successful informational interview. Begin by researching the person you plan to interview. Look up their current role, their company, and the industry they work in. For instance, if you’re interviewing a marketing manager, learn about the company’s market, recent campaigns, and the marketing department’s focus. This knowledge lets you tailor your questions thoughtfully, showing genuine interest and respect.
Next, define your objectives. Ask yourself: What do I want to learn? Are you exploring career paths, understanding daily job duties, or seeking advice on skills and qualifications? Clear objectives help you stay focused during the conversation and avoid wasting time.
Prepare a list of 8-10 open-ended questions that align with your goals, but be ready to adapt based on the flow. For example, instead of asking "Do you like your job?" ask "What do you enjoy most about your day-to-day work?" This invites richer responses.
Choose a quiet place or set up a reliable video call platform to minimize distractions. Test your technology ahead of time, so you don’t waste interview minutes troubleshooting devices.
Finally, have a notebook or digital device ready for note-taking. You’ll want to capture insights accurately. Bringing a pen and paper can feel less intrusive and more personal if the interview is in person.
How do you structure an informational interview step by step?
A well-structured interview respects both your and the interviewee’s time while encouraging meaningful dialogue. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide with reasons for each:
- Start with a warm introduction (2-3 minutes): Greet the person, thank them for their time, and introduce yourself briefly. For example, “Thank you for meeting with me today. I’m currently exploring careers in environmental science, and I’m eager to learn from your experience.” This sets a friendly tone.
- State your purpose clearly (1-2 minutes): Explain what you hope to gain. “I’m interested in understanding what a typical day looks like for you and what skills helped you succeed.” Clear goals focus the conversation.
- Begin with broad career questions (5-7 minutes): Ask about their career path or what drew them to the field. For example, “How did you get started in this industry?” or “What motivated you to choose this profession?” These open questions invite storytelling and build rapport.
- Move to specific role-related questions (7-10 minutes): Ask about daily responsibilities, challenges, and skills. For instance, “What does a typical workday involve?” or “What are the biggest challenges you face in your role?” These queries provide useful, practical insights.
- Inquire about advice and resources (5 minutes): Ask what skills or experiences they recommend and if there are resources or organizations to explore. “What advice would you give to someone starting out?” or “Are there professional groups or certifications you find valuable?”
- Discuss networking and next steps (3-5 minutes): Ask if they can recommend others to speak with or helpful resources. “Is there anyone else you suggest I contact to learn more?” This expands your network.
- Close with appreciation and follow-up plans (1-2 minutes): Thank them sincerely and ask if you may contact them later with brief questions. For example, “I really appreciate your time and insights. Would it be okay to reach out again if I have a quick follow-up?”
This stepwise approach keeps the conversation organized and efficient while building relationships.
How can you tell if your informational interview worked?
Knowing if your informational interview was successful involves reflecting on the outcomes and your feelings about the conversation. Signs that it worked include:
- Clearer career insights: You should now understand the role, industry, or career path better. For example, you might realize a particular job involves more teamwork or technical skills than you expected.
- Actionable advice: You receive practical tips on skills to develop, certifications to pursue, or steps to prepare for the field.
- New connections: The interviewee offers to introduce you to others or recommends resources, which can broaden your network.
- Engagement from the interviewee: They seemed interested, gave detailed answers, and invited follow-up.
- Your comfort level: You felt at ease asking questions and absorbing information, which signals good rapport.
If these elements are present, you likely gained valuable knowledge and established a useful professional contact.
What should you do if the informational interview doesn’t go as planned?
Not every informational interview goes smoothly, but you can still handle challenges gracefully. Here are common issues and how to respond:
- Short or vague answers: If the person provides brief responses, try politely prompting for more detail. For example, say, “Could you tell me more about how you handle that challenge?” or “What skills do you find most important when facing those tasks?”
- Interviewee seems distracted or rushed: If they appear distracted or mention limited time, acknowledge it respectfully. “I appreciate your time today; if it’s easier, we could schedule a follow-up or I can send some brief questions by email.”
- The conversation goes off-topic: Gently steer back by saying, “That’s interesting, and I’d love to learn more about your day-to-day responsibilities.”
- Interview ends earlier than expected: Thank them, then ask if they could recommend someone else to speak with. “I appreciate your time—would you be willing to connect me with a colleague who might have more insights?”
- You feel unprepared: If you realize you forgot a question, don’t worry. You can follow up later with a polite email.
Remember, every interview is a learning experience that improves your skills and approach.
How should you adapt your informational interview for different audiences or industries?
Tailoring your approach based on who you interview and their field helps create a natural, engaging conversation. Consider these adaptations:
- For senior professionals: Keep questions strategic and concise, respecting their busy schedules. Focus on big-picture topics like industry trends or leadership challenges. For example, “How do you see this industry evolving over the next five years?”
- For peers or recent graduates: It’s fine to ask about entry-level experiences and challenges, such as “What skills did you find most useful when you started?”
- For creative industries: Ask about portfolio building, creativity, and networking. “How do you showcase your work to potential clients or employers?”
- For technical roles: Focus on certifications, tools, and problem-solving. “What programming languages or software are essential in your daily work?”
- For informal or startup settings: Use a conversational tone and ask about company culture or innovation. “How does your team stay agile and creative?”
- For formal corporate environments: Maintain professionalism, dress appropriately, and prepare polished questions.
Adjusting your tone, questions, and approach demonstrates respect and helps build rapport with varied interviewees.
What are practical examples of questions to include in your informational interview?
Having a strong list of open-ended questions is key to a productive interview. Here are examples organized by topic:
| Topic | Sample Questions |
|---|---|
| Career Path | “How did you get started in this field?” “What motivated you to enter this profession?” |
| Daily Work | “What does a typical day or week look like for you?” “What are your primary responsibilities?” |
| Challenges | “What are some common challenges you face?” “How do you overcome difficult situations?” |
| Skills & Qualifications | “Which skills or qualifications are most important for success?” “Are there certifications you recommend?” |
| Industry Trends | “What changes do you see happening in this industry?” “How do you stay current with industry developments?” |
| Advice & Resources | “What advice would you give to someone starting out?” “Are there professional organizations or resources you suggest?” |
| Networking | “Can you recommend others I should talk to?” “How do you build professional relationships in your field?” |
Use these questions as a guide but remain flexible to follow the conversation naturally.
How do you prepare for follow-up after your informational interview?
Follow-up is essential to maintain professional relationships and reinforce what you learned. Steps to prepare include:
- Send a thank-you note within 24 hours: Write a brief but sincere message. For example, “Thank you for sharing your insights about project management yesterday. Your advice on certification options was very helpful.”
- Reference specifics: Mention a particular topic or tip you found valuable to show attentiveness.
- Connect on professional platforms: If appropriate, send a LinkedIn request with a personalized note referencing your meeting.
- Keep contact information organized: Track who you spoke with, their role, and key takeaways for future reference.
- Follow up later if appropriate: If you have brief questions or updates on your progress, reach out politely. For instance, “I wanted to let you know I enrolled in the course you recommended—thank you again for the suggestion.”
- Act on advice: Use what you learned to improve your skills, research, or networking.
These steps show professionalism and help you build a lasting network.
What etiquette tips help maintain professionalism during an informational interview?
Etiquette matters greatly in informational interviews to create a positive impression. Here are key tips:
- Be punctual: Arrive or log in a few minutes early to show respect for their time.
- Dress appropriately: Even for virtual interviews, dress professionally based on the industry norm.
- Turn off distractions: Silence your phone and close unrelated tabs or apps.
- Listen actively: Avoid interrupting; show interest through body language or verbal affirmations like “That’s interesting.”
- Keep the focus on learning: Don’t ask directly for a job or salary details unless the interviewee offers. Instead, phrase questions carefully if salary info is necessary.
- Be concise: Keep your answers and questions clear and to the point.
- Respect confidentiality: Don’t share private information discussed without permission.
- Express gratitude: Thank them at the start and end of the interview genuinely.
Following these etiquette guidelines helps build a professional reputation and positive relationships.
Frequently asked questions
How long should an informational interview last?
Typically, 20 to 30 minutes is ideal to respect the interviewee’s time and allow meaningful conversation. Some interviews may extend to 45 minutes if both parties are engaged, but always confirm the planned length and be mindful to wrap up promptly.
Can I do an informational interview via email?
Yes, email interviews are an option when scheduling or distance barriers exist. Prepare clear, concise questions and send them politely. However, phone or video calls usually allow for richer, more interactive dialogue and follow-up questions.
Is it appropriate to ask about salary during an informational interview?
Salary can be a sensitive topic. Research standard ranges beforehand using trusted resources. If you ask, do so carefully, like “Could you share the typical salary range for this role?” and be prepared for the person to decline to answer.
How many informational interviews should I conduct when exploring a career?
Conducting 5 to 10 interviews provides a broad perspective on a field. Each conversation can offer unique insights and contacts that help you make better-informed career decisions.
What if the person I want to interview declines?
If someone says no, thank them respectfully and ask if they can recommend someone else. Keep your messages brief and polite. Persistence combined with flexibility is key in networking.
Should I bring a resume to an informational interview?
Usually, a resume isn’t necessary unless specifically requested. The goal is learning, not applying for a job. However, have a brief personal introduction prepared to explain your background and interests clearly.