Quick Guide to Informational Interviewing

Informational interviews are one-on-one conversations that you have with professionals to gather information about their career path, the jobs they’ve had, the industries they’ve been in, employers they’re familiar with, emerging and future trends in their fields, the skills they’ve developed and used, and more. Think of them as just having a chat with someone to learn about their professional experiences. Remember, the goal of informational interviews is not to ask for a job, but rather, to seek information that can help you chart your own career path more effectively. Once you conduct an informational interview, you can then use the information you’ve gleaned to make yourself a stronger applicant when you’re ready to apply for the type of jobs you have been learning about. You might even learn that some career paths are not going to be a great match for your skills, interests, or values — this is helpful, too