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Informational Interviews

Informational Interviews are an opportunity to:

  • Learn about responsibilities and tasks associated with the person’s career and have the opportunity to ask questions about the knowledge, skills, talents and level of education required for the job
  • Connect with a business professional who has specific knowledge about an occupation or career in which you are interested
  • But note: Informational interviews are not job interviews! However, they could potentially lead to one.
Who should participate in informational interviews?

We recommend informational interviews for all freshmen, but everyone is encouraged to take advantage of informational interviews to investigate possible careers.

How can informational interviews help me?
  • Helps you explore various jobs and define their career plans
  • Make professional contacts in a given career field
  • Try out a career before committing
  • Minimizes the changing of majors during your junior and senior years
To prepare for the interview:
  • Learn as much as you can about the major, company, or organization
  • Learn about the major and/or career in general through research
  • Prepare questions in advance to bring with you to the interview
  • Determine the information that is most important for you to obtain
To conduct the interview:
  • Arrive 10-15 minutes early
  • Dress appropriately (business casual)
  • Restate your purpose
  • Develop rapport by asking open ended questions
  • Take notes
  • Obtain the names of other individuals that you may contact
  • Stay within the agreed time frame of the interview
  • Send a thank you note after the interview

Last updated: 12/18/2012