Informational Interviews at 18 Years Old: A Guide

Teens 13–17 · Explainer · Updated October 1, 2026 · LearnLife Editorial

What Is an Informational Interview?

An informational interview is a planned conversation where you ask questions to someone working in a career or industry that interests you. It’s not a job interview, so you’re not asking for a job or internship but for advice and information. The main goal is to learn about their daily work, challenges, skills needed, and how they got started. For example, if you’re curious about becoming a computer programmer, you might talk to a software developer to find out what their workday looks like, which programming languages they use, and how they prepared for the job.

This type of interview is a powerful career exploration tool because it lets you hear firsthand experiences, making your career choices more informed. It’s like getting a glimpse behind the scenes of a job before you commit to training or college. For teens especially, it offers a way to test out ideas without pressure, learn industry terms, and figure out if a career matches your interests and values.

How Does an Informational Interview Work?

The process of setting up and conducting an informational interview involves several clear steps to make it effective:

1. Identify someone to interview: Think about people you know through family, friends, teachers, or community groups who have jobs you find interesting. For example, if you want to work in healthcare, maybe a family friend is a nurse or lab technician.

1. Reach out politely: Write a short, respectful message or email. You can say something like: “Hi [Name], my name is [Your Name], and I’m very interested in learning about your work as a [Job Title]. If you have 15-30 minutes, I would appreciate the chance to ask some questions and learn from your experience.” Keep it clear and polite, and mention how you got their contact if applicable.

1. Prepare your questions: Research the career or company beforehand. Write down 5-7 questions you want to ask.

1. Schedule the meeting: Agree on a time that works for both of you. Interviews can be in person, over the phone, or via video call.

1. Conduct the interview: Be on time, dress neatly if it’s in person or video, and start with a brief introduction like: “Thank you so much for meeting with me. I’m interested in learning more about your career to help me decide if this is the right path for me.”

1. Ask your questions and listen: Take notes as they talk, and don’t interrupt. If something isn’t clear, ask politely for clarification.

1. End on a positive note: Thank them again, and ask if it’s okay to follow up with any future questions.

1. Send a thank-you message: Within 24 hours, send a short message thanking them and mentioning something specific you learned. For example: “Thank you for sharing your insights about working in marketing. I especially appreciated your advice about building communication skills early.”

By following these steps, you show professionalism and respect, which can help build a lasting connection.

Why Does It Matter for Teens and Young Adults?

Informational interviews are especially valuable for teenagers and young adults for several reasons. First, they give you a realistic look at careers before you commit time and money to education or training. For example, if you think you want to be a veterinarian, an informational interview with a vet can reveal the long hours, physical demands, and emotional challenges involved, helping you decide if it truly fits you.

Second, informational interviews help develop skills that will be useful throughout your life, like networking, communication, and confidence. Talking to adults about their jobs can feel intimidating at first, but practicing with informational interviews makes it easier. You learn how to ask questions, listen actively, and follow up professionally — all important skills for future job interviews and workplace relationships.

Third, these interviews can open doors. The person you talk to may suggest ways to get experience, such as volunteering or internships, or introduce you to others in the field. Building this network early can make it easier to find opportunities when you’re ready to apply for jobs or college programs.

Finally, informational interviews encourage self-reflection. After each talk, you can ask yourself: “Did this job sound interesting? What parts did I like or dislike? What new skills should I develop?” This helps you narrow down your options and make career decisions that fit your passions and strengths.

What Are Some Common Questions to Ask During an Informational Interview?

Having good questions ready shows that you respect the person’s time and want to learn as much as possible. Here are detailed examples of questions you can use, with explanations of why they’re helpful:

• “What does a typical day look like for you?”

This helps you picture the daily tasks and work environment, which might differ from your expectations.

• “How did you get started in this career?”

Understanding their path can give you ideas about education, training, or experiences you need.

• “What skills or qualifications are most important?”

This tells you what to focus on if you want to succeed in this field.

• “What do you enjoy most and least about your job?”

This honest insight helps you see both the rewards and challenges.

• “Are there entry-level positions or volunteer opportunities young people can try?”

You might learn how to start gaining experience early.

• “What advice would you give to someone my age interested in this career?”

Personalized advice can guide your next steps.

• “How do you see this career changing in the next few years?”

This helps you understand if the field is growing or evolving and what skills might be important in the future.

When asking questions, phrase them politely and listen carefully to their answers. You can say, “That’s interesting, can you tell me more about…” if you want to learn more about something they mention.

What Are Some Common Confusions About Informational Interviews?

Many young people confuse informational interviews with job interviews or networking events, so it’s useful to clarify the differences:

• Not a job interview: You are not asking for a job or internship during an informational interview. Its main purpose is to gather information, not to be hired immediately. This lowers the pressure and lets you focus on learning.

• More focused than networking events: Large networking events involve meeting many people quickly, often exchanging business cards. An informational interview is a one-on-one meeting where you can ask detailed questions and build a deeper connection.

• More formal than a casual chat: While it’s friendly and conversational, an informational interview is planned with specific goals and questions. It’s respectful of the other person’s time and requires preparation.

• Not a mentoring session: Although the person might give advice, the relationship is professional and usually short-term. A mentor supports your growth over a longer time.

Understanding these differences helps you approach informational interviews with the right mindset. It also guides how you prepare and follow up, making your conversations more productive.

How Can You Prepare for Your First Informational Interview?

Preparation is key to making a great impression and getting useful information. Here’s a detailed guide on how to get ready:

1. Research the person and their job: Use online resources like the company’s website or industry articles to know the basics. For example, if you’re interviewing a teacher, look up what grade levels they teach or their subject.

1. Write down your questions: List 5 to 7 questions based on what you most want to learn. Organize them so you start with general questions and move to more specific ones.

1. Practice your introduction: Prepare a short way to introduce yourself, such as: “Hi, I’m [Your Name], and I’m interested in learning about [career]. Thank you for meeting with me.”

1. Plan logistics: If it’s in person, confirm the location and travel time. For virtual interviews, test your internet, microphone, and camera beforehand.

1. Dress appropriately: Choose clean, neat clothing. You don’t need formal clothes but avoid pajamas or anything too casual.

1. Bring a notebook or device: Take notes to remember important points and show that you value their time.

1. Be ready to listen and adapt: Sometimes the conversation may go off your planned questions. Be flexible and show genuine interest.

1. Prepare to close politely: End with a thank-you and ask if you can stay in touch.

By following these steps, you’ll feel more confident and make the most out of your informational interview.

What Should You Do After the Informational Interview?

After the interview, your next steps are important to build on the connection and reflect on what you’ve learned:

• Review your notes: Soon after the interview, read through your notes and highlight important points or ideas.

• Reflect on the experience: Ask yourself questions like, “Did this career seem like a good fit? What surprised me? What should I explore next?”

• Send a thank-you message: Write a short, polite email or text within 24 hours, such as:

“Thank you for taking the time to speak with me about your work as a [Job Title]. I really appreciated your advice about [specific topic].”

• Follow up if appropriate: If you promised to send something or want to ask a quick question later, don’t hesitate to reach out politely.

• Use the information to plan: Update your education or activities plan based on what you learned. For example, if the person recommends learning a certain skill or joining a club, consider doing that.

• Keep the contact for networking: Save their contact details and check in occasionally, especially if you have updates or want to share your progress.

Taking these steps shows professionalism and can lead to more opportunities, like internships or mentorships, as your career path develops.

How Can Teens Find People to Interview?

Finding someone to interview can feel challenging, but there are many ways to connect with professionals:

• Ask family and friends: Start with people you know. They might have relatives or friends in careers you want to learn about.

• Talk to teachers and school counselors: They often know professionals willing to help students explore careers.

• Use community groups and clubs: If you belong to clubs related to your interests (like robotics, art, or environmental clubs), members might work in those fields.

• Attend local career fairs or workshops: These events sometimes allow you to meet and talk to professionals.

• Try social media carefully: Platforms like LinkedIn or Twitter have professionals sharing career tips. You can send polite messages explaining who you are and why you want to learn from them. Always ask a parent or guardian before reaching out online.

• Use school or public library resources: Some schools have career-building programs that connect students with professionals.

When reaching out, keep your message polite, clear, and brief. For example: “Hello, my name is [Your Name]. I’m a high school student interested in learning about your career in [field]. Would you have 20 minutes to talk with me sometime? Thank you for considering.”

Taking these steps can help you find great people to interview and start building your professional network.

Frequently asked questions

Can I do informational interviews even if I don’t know what job I want?

Absolutely! Informational interviews are a great way to explore different careers. Talking to people in various fields can help you discover what interests you and what fits your skills, even if you’re unsure now.

How long should an informational interview last?

Most informational interviews last between 15 and 30 minutes. This is usually enough time to ask your questions and learn from the person without taking too much of their time.

Should I dress up for an informational interview?

Dressing neatly and appropriately is a good idea, especially if the interview is in person or on video. This shows respect and helps you feel confident during the conversation.

What if I don’t get a job after an informational interview?

That’s normal because informational interviews are not job interviews. The goal is to learn and make connections, which could help you find opportunities later on.

How do I thank someone after an informational interview?

Send a polite thank-you email or message within 24 hours. Mention one or two things you appreciated or found helpful from the conversation to make your message personal.