Informational interview lesson plans

Teachers & homeschoolers · Lesson plan · Updated October 1, 2026 · LearnLife Editorial

What grade bands and learning objectives should an informational interview lesson plan include?

Creating a lesson plan tailored to the developmental stage of students ensures that learning objectives and activities are age-appropriate and effective. Informational interviews can be introduced as early as upper elementary school and adapted through middle and high school with increasing complexity.

Elementary School (Grades 3-5)

Objectives:

• Understand the basic idea of an informational interview as a friendly conversation to learn about jobs.
• Practice asking simple, open-ended questions like “What do you do?” or “What’s your favorite part of your job?”
• Listen actively and share one interesting fact they learned.

Example timing: A 45-minute lesson with a 10-minute warm-up, 15 minutes for instruction, 15 minutes for role-play in pairs, and a 5-minute reflection or sharing.

Middle School (Grades 6-8)

Objectives:

• Define informational interviews and distinguish them from job interviews.
• Identify and create thoughtful questions about career paths, education, and daily tasks.
• Role-play interviews to practice polite communication and note-taking.
• Reflect on what was learned and how it might influence their career interests.

Example timing: A 60-minute class with warm-up, instruction, question preparation, role-play, group discussion, and reflection writing.

High School (Grades 9-12)

Objectives:

• Research a career or professional to prepare personalized questions.
• Conduct mock interviews with peers or invited guests.
• Analyze responses to assess how the career matches their interests and goals.
• Write follow-up thank-you notes and reflect on skills gained.

Example timing: A 75-minute lesson allowing time for preparation, practice, sharing, and assessment.

This structure supports a clear progression in students’ skills and understanding, building their confidence and networking ability over time.

What materials are needed for an informational interview lesson plan?

One advantage of this lesson is the minimal, everyday materials needed, making it accessible for classrooms and homeschooling environments without requiring printed packets or special technology.

Necessary materials include:

• Paper or notebooks and pencils for question writing and note-taking. For example, students can draft questions in their notebooks before practicing.
• A whiteboard, chalkboard, or flip chart to list key definitions, sample questions, and instructions during direct teaching.
• A timer or clock to keep role-play interviews on schedule, ensuring each student gets enough practice time.
• Optional: a phone, tablet, or computer with audio recording capability if students or instructors want to record interviews for review or assessment purposes.

Classroom settings can use group seating or pairs for role-play, while homeschoolers can arrange one-on-one or family member participation. Minimal materials lower barriers to implementation and encourage creativity.

How can teachers and homeschoolers warm up students for informational interviews?

The warm-up phase introduces the concept and prepares students mentally and emotionally, making the activity less intimidating and more engaging.

Try these warm-up strategies:

• Question brainstorm: Ask students to share aloud what questions they might ask someone with an interesting job. Prompt them with examples like, “What do you like most about your work?” or “How did you decide to do this job?” Writing some responses on the board helps visualize question types.
• Discussion about curiosity: Lead a short talk on why asking questions is important in learning about careers and how being curious can help them make better choices.
• Scenario storytelling: Present a simple story or example such as: “Imagine you want to be a firefighter. What would you want to know from someone who works in that job?” This clarifies the purpose of informational interviews as friendly, non-judgmental conversations.

A warm-up lasting 10-15 minutes sets a positive tone and connects prior knowledge to the new skill.

What key points should direct instruction cover about informational interviews?

Clear, explicit instruction ensures students understand the purpose, etiquette, and structure of informational interviews. Break down the instruction into manageable ideas with examples.

What is an informational interview?

Explain that it is a casual conversation with someone who works in a job or field they want to learn about. Unlike job interviews, no job is being applied for—this is purely for learning and exploring.

Why are informational interviews useful?

They help students discover what different jobs actually involve, what skills and education are needed, and whether a career fits their interests and goals.

How to prepare questions?

Guide students to prepare open-ended questions that invite detailed answers, such as:

• “What do you do in a typical day at work?”
• “What skills are most important in your job?”
• “What do you enjoy most and least about your work?”
• “How did you get started in this career?”
• “What advice would you give someone interested in this field?”

Model writing questions on the board, explaining why open-ended is better than yes/no questions.

How to conduct the interview?

Emphasize polite greetings, clear speaking, active listening, and note-taking. Teach students to avoid interrupting and to ask follow-up questions when appropriate.

How to close and follow up?

Students should thank the interviewee sincerely and ask if they may contact them again with questions. Afterward, sending a thank-you note or email is professional and appreciated.

Using straightforward language and examples helps students grasp these points concretely.

How can students practice informational interviews during the main activity?

The main activity should give students hands-on experience in a supportive environment. Structure the practice as follows:

1. Prepare questions: Give students time to write 5-7 questions based on a career or profession they want to explore. Encourage them to use the examples from instruction and personalize questions.
2. Role-play interviews: Pair students and assign roles—one as interviewer, one as professional. The “professional” can either create a simple backstory or use a provided scenario describing a job. For example, “You are a nurse who works in a children’s hospital.”
3. Conduct the interview: Set a timer for 10-15 minutes so the interviewer asks questions, listens, and takes notes. The professional responds thoughtfully to simulate a real conversation.
4. Switch roles: Allow students to experience both perspectives to better understand the process and develop empathy.
5. Group debrief: After role-play, gather students to share what questions worked well, what was challenging, and what they learned about communication and careers.
6. Written reflection: Have students write a paragraph summarizing what they discovered and how they felt during the interview.

This step-by-step approach builds confidence and skills gradually while reinforcing lesson objectives.

What discussion questions can extend students’ learning about informational interviews?

After the activity, guided group discussion deepens understanding and encourages metacognition:

• How did you feel asking questions and hearing answers? Was it easy or hard? Why?
• Which questions gave you the most interesting information? What made those questions effective?
• What would you do differently if you had a chance to interview a real professional?
• How can informational interviews help you make decisions about your future?
• Why is being polite and professional important, even in informal conversations?
• What did you learn about yourself as a communicator or learner?

These questions invite students to reflect on interpersonal skills, career awareness, and their personal growth.

How should teachers or homeschoolers assess student learning and use exit tickets?

Assessment can be informal but focused on key outcomes:

• Review the written questions students prepared for relevance and clarity. Were the questions open-ended and thoughtful?
• Evaluate reflection paragraphs for evidence that students understood the informational interview’s purpose and their own learning experience.
• Use a simple exit ticket prompt such as, “Name one new thing you learned about a career or about asking questions today.” This quick check helps confirm student comprehension and readiness to apply skills.

These assessments can guide future lessons and help identify students who may need more support or extension.

How can homeschoolers differentiate and extend informational interview lessons?

Homeschool settings allow customization to match learners’ interests, strengths, and pace. Consider the following strategies:

• For younger learners, keep questions simple and focus on listening skills and expressing curiosity. Role-play with family members or friends to create a comfortable environment.
• For older students, encourage selecting a real professional to interview via phone, video, or email. This authentic experience can be supplemented with research on the career field beforehand.
• Add writing activities such as composing thank-you notes, journaling the interview experience, or drafting reports summarizing what was learned.
• Challenge advanced learners to prepare follow-up questions based on initial responses or to compare multiple interviews in different fields.
• Use technology tools such as recording apps for self-review or creating digital presentations about the career exploration.

These extensions deepen engagement and make learning more meaningful and practical.

Frequently asked questions

How is an informational interview different from a job interview?

An informational interview is a casual conversation aimed at learning about a job or career from someone experienced, without applying for a position. A job interview is a formal meeting where an employer evaluates a candidate for a specific role.

What types of questions work best in an informational interview?

Open-ended questions that encourage detailed answers work best, such as “What does a typical workday look like?” or “What skills helped you succeed in this field?”

Can students conduct informational interviews virtually?

Yes, virtual interviews via phone or video calls are effective and expand access to professionals who may not be local, making lessons more flexible.

What if there are no professionals available for real interviews?

Role-playing with peers or family members using prepared scenarios is a practical alternative. Teachers can also invite guest speakers virtually or use prerecorded interviews.

How should students follow up after an informational interview?

Students should send a polite thank-you note or email within a day or two, expressing appreciation and referencing something specific they learned, which shows professionalism.

How long should an informational interview last during class?

A role-play interview of 10-15 minutes allows enough time for meaningful questions and answers while fitting within typical class periods.