Interviewing professionals can help you explore your industry of interest, develop connections with contacts who work in the field, and help you determine your career readiness. The primary goal is to learn more about your career of interest. This is career research, so never go into an informational interview with the expectation of a job offer. 

What is an informational interview?

An informational interview is a brief, informal meeting where you ask questions to help you:

• learn more about a career, industry, or field you are interested in
• decide which career, industry, or field to pursue
• get advice and insights from someone with experience in your field of interest
• build your network

Six key steps

1. Identify people to interview
2. Contact & schedule the interview
3. Research your field of interest
4. Prepare for your interview
5. Conduct the interview
6. Keep a record of your interviews

Step 1: Identify people to interview

• Reach out to people you know, such as professors, classmates, relatives and friends. Let them know what information you’re looking for, and they may be able to connect you with people in that industry you can interview.
• You can also reach out to people who:
  • Have certifications or credentials that you are interested in.
  • Have an education or professional background similar to you.
• Use the LinkedIn alumni tool to find St. Mary’s College of Maryland alumni. Click here to learn how to create a LinkedIn profile.
  • Alumni connections are one of the most valuable connections a student can make because they create a built-in sense of connection and belonging. Try to speak with an alum that has followed a career path similar to what you wish to pursue. Most would love the opportunity to help!

Step 2: Contact & schedule the interview

• Ask to schedule an interview. Reach out by email, phone, LinkedIn message, or in person.
  • Introduce yourself and mention how you were put in contact with them.
    • Include a summary of your background and why you are requesting an interview. 
  • Use the 6-point message (see examples below) from The 2-Hour Job Search to tailor your message.
  • Be clear that you are looking for advice and information, not a job.
  • Avoid using personal social media profiles to request an interview, and be certain that your conversation is confidential. 
  • Be sure you proofread your message before you send it!
• Note: To send a LinkedIn message, send a connection request on a desktop browser (this feature doesn’t work on mobile devices).
• When you first reach out, also set a calendar reminder for 5 business days to follow up. If you’ve already tried email, try a phone call. Don’t be afraid of the phone!

Sample informational interview request email

In The 2 Hour Job Search, Steve Dalton suggests sending an email/message that meets the following six points: it is brief, human, subtle, direct, egoless, and sincere. We highly recommend you check out the entire The 2 Hour Job Search book for more detailed information!

Subject: Your product management experience at Waymo

Hi Tom,

I’m Becca, a fellow Seahawk (’22). May I chat with you briefly about your product management experience at Waymo?

I am trying to learn more about product management in the autonomous vehicle space, so your insights would be greatly appreciated.

Best regards,

Becca

Step 3: Research before the interview

• Research! Use the employer’s website, LinkedIn, and web searches to learn as much as you can about the industry, the organization, and the person you will interview. Doing research ahead of time will let you focus the interview on key questions that you can’t easily find online.

Step 4: Prepare to interview your contact

• Make a list of questions you want to ask. (Refer to ‘Questions You Could Ask’ Section for list)
• Practice the interview in advance to become more confident.
• Consider polishing your LinkedIn and resume so you can share them if the person asks. Click here for tips on professional documents.
• To show how professional you are, prepare neat, clean clothing and make sure all visible parts of your body are clean and well-groomed. If you’re meeting in person, avoid strong perfume, cologne, or body odor. (When in doubt, ask!)

• Arrive early if you will meet in person. Set up your tech early if you will meet online or by phone.
• Remember that professionals are generously giving you their time, so be grateful!
• Determine whether you are more interested in your contact’s credentials and experiences, their specific employer, or the industry as a whole. 
  • Setting the tone for your meeting can help the person you interview develop a response with the information you are looking for. 

Step 5: Conduct the interview

Phases of the interview

Beginning: Small talk (3–5 minutes)

• Introduce yourself and thank the person for taking time to talk with you.
• Ask if it’s okay to take notes. Writing notes can help you remember valuable information later.

Middle: Question and answer session (15–20 minutes)

• Gently transition the conversation from personal to professional to begin the question and answer session. You can start by saying something like:
  • “I would love to learn more about your professional background.”
  • “It would be great to learn more about your journey to your current role. 
• Aim to ask 5–7 questions, time permitting.
• Listen actively, be respectful, and keep electronics turned off! 
• Build the connection by asking for advice. Do not ask for a job!

Ending the interview (3–5 minutes)

• Respect the person’s time by ending the meeting at the time you agreed on with them.
• About 5 minutes before the meeting is scheduled to end, you can say:
  • “I want to respect your time and end on time. Before I go, can you recommend anyone else I should talk to for additional information about this career field?”
  • If they say yes, write down their names and contact information, then ask, “May I tell them you suggested I contact them?”
• Ask the person if you may contact them again in the future with other questions.
• Say thank you!

Step 6: Record keeping and follow–up

After the interview

Send a personalized thank you note

• Send a personalized thank you note to your contact after completing the interview. Be sure to mention one thing you found most valuable about the interview and thank them for their insight.
  • First, send an email or LinkedIn message within 24 hours
  • Second, send a paper thank-you card if at all possible—this is highly professional behavior, and will set you apart as someone who really cares.

Keep a record of your interviews

• Keep a record of your interactions with your contacts. Collect information such as their name, title, contact information, dates, and topics you discussed during the interview. 
• If you need a method to track your interviews, consider using the templates here. 

Follow up with your contact

• Maintain the relationship by reaching out to them to report updates in your job search or sending them articles related to your interview conversation. It’s a good idea to use a calendar.

Navigating unexpected situations

Know how to navigate unexpected situations so you feel prepared and confident.

Long pauses

Silence in a conversation is not always bad. Your contact may need time to gather their thoughts before reporting out with a response. Take a deep breath and relax. Be ready to listen. Remember to bring your list of questions with you to the interview. If you need to get the conversation moving again, ask another question!

Inappropriate behavior

If your contact makes impolite comments, engages in inappropriate behavior, or makes you feel uncomfortable, thank them for their time and end the interview early. Your safety is more important than completing the interview.

Lengthy responses

If you find the information helpful, let them continue to speak. It is okay to refocus the conversation if the interview strays off topic for too long. Let them finish their point, thank them for the insight, and offer a new question. 

You become the interviewee

Your contact may offer to interview you for a job on the spot. If this happens, you have a few options:

• Thank them and let them know you are ready to interview now.
• Thank them and ask if you can ask a few more questions about the role or industry first.
• If you feel unprepared, you can ask to schedule an interview time in the near future so you can get ready.

Questions you can ask

Use the questions below to help you prepare your list of questions. Try to avoid yes/no questions like “Do you like your job?” Instead, use open-ended questions to get more information and keep the conversation going.

Be sure to take your list with you to the interview.

Two essential questions

• • What do you love about the work you do? This is a great start to get them talking.

• • What are the biggest challenges? This helps you determine whether the pros of this work outweigh the cons.

TIP: Use the TIARA framework

In his book, The 2 Hour Job Search, Steve Dalton presents the TIARA framework, which helps you maximize your time with your contact by allowing you to gain insight about a specific role, organization, or industry. Below is a sample list of questions you can use. We highly recommend you check out the entire The 2 Hour Job Search book for more detailed information!

Trends

• How is your organization utilizing new technology to further its goals?
• What are currently big topics of interest within the organization?
• What has changed most about the organization since you first started working?

Insights

• • What has been your most valuable professional experience working in the industry, and why?
  • What is most challenging about your current role?
  • What is one skill that you think has been most beneficial to performing well in your role?

• Work Details

• • • What does a typical day look like?
    • What kinds of decisions do you make?
    • Does your position stay fairly consistent, or does it change throughout the course of the year?
    • What percentage of your day is spent doing which activities?
    • How is your time divided between people, data, and things?
    • How often do you travel, and for how long?
    • How many hours do you work each week?
    • How often do you need to work overtime?
    • How much work do you take home?

• Environment & Organizational Culture

• • • How does your position fit within the organization?
    • Who do you supervise?
    • What is the culture like at your organization?
    • How does this organization differ from others you’ve worked for?
    • What are the various work roles in the organization?
    • What organizational challenges have you faced?
    • How does your job affect your general lifestyle?
    • How easy is it to maintain work-life harmony?
    • What qualities do you look for in coworkers?
    • What opportunities do you have for professional development?
    • How do you see the industry changing in the future?

• Work Challenges & Rewards

• • • Do you find your work rewarding? How so?
    • What are the major rewards aside from pay? (Such as travel, job satisfaction, paid vacation time, prestige, health benefits, etc.?)
    • I’ve read that the entry-level salary range for this field is usually in the range of ______. Does that match with what you’ve seen? (Don’t ask about their actual salary!)
    • What are some of the current challenges and issues in your field?

• Career Paths

• • How long have you worked in this industry, and with this organization?
  • How did you begin your career?
  • How did you become interested in this field?
  • What path led you to your current position?
  • What is a typical career path in this field?
  • Which skills and abilities are most essential to be effective in this industry?
  • What do you wish you had known before starting this type of work?
  • What kind of education, training, or background does your job require?
  • How relevant is your undergraduate major to your work?
  • How important are grades or GPA for obtaining a job in this field?
  • Were there any classes or experiences you had during college or grad school that better prepared you for the field?
  • If you could do it all over again, would you choose the same path for yourself? If not, what would you change?
  • If your position were suddenly eliminated, what kinds of work do you feel prepared to move to?
  • How would a geographic move affect your career?
  • How do most employers in this field find and hire new talent?
  • What job search strategies would you suggest for entering this field?
  • Which entry-level jobs are best for learning as much as possible?
  • Which skills are important to highlight on a resume?

Advice

• What steps can I be taking to prepare myself for a career in this industry?
• What do you wish you had known before beginning your role in the industry?
• Can you suggest some ways a student could obtain the necessary experience?
• Is there anything else I should do to improve my career prospects?
• What advice would you give someone who is considering this field?
• What kinds of accomplishments tend to be valued and rewarded in this field?
• My strongest assets include _______________. Where would those fit in this field?
• What next steps would you suggest for someone like me who is just beginning in the field?

Resources

• What tools and techniques would you recommend to learn more about this industry/career?
• Which books, journals and professional organizations would help me learn more about this field?
• What is the best way to stay informed of opportunities in the industry and with your organization?
• Can you recommend anyone else I should talk to for additional information about this career field?

Assignments

• Are there any courses or certifications I should consider when planning for a career in this field?
• Are there projects I could be working on now that would be valuable to your organization?

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging 

Employers want people who will represent them well and demonstrate cultural competency. Knowing how your organization of interest incorporates diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging can help you determine whether the employer aligns with your values and is a good fit for you. Here are some questions you can ask:

• How does your organization build a sense of diversity and belonging?
• What do you see as the biggest challenges for your organization regarding diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging? 

How to write a thank-you letter

1. Start with a salutation or greeting
2. In the first paragraph, express your gratitude for the opportunity to speak with them. Then, thank them for a specific answer or resource they provided during the interview.
3. In the second paragraph, express your interest in keeping in touch to communicate in the future.
4. End the letter with a professional closing such as, “Sincerely” or “Best regards”.

Sample thank you letter

Dear Ms. Emmerson,

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me yesterday. I appreciate your willingness to take time out of your busy schedule to answer my questions and provide insight about your experience working at Atwater Shoreline Services. I am especially grateful for putting me in contact with your former colleague, Rashelle M. Osprey, for more information about coastal preservation. 

Please feel free to contact me anytime, and I look forward to connecting with you again in the future.

Best regards,

Solomon Seahawk