Tips for Conducting Informational Interviews
Structure your conversation — One helpful framework breaks a 25-minute informational interview into four sections: opening, interviewee’s biography, conversation, and closing. Good questions to ask include: 1
- “How did you decide to come here?”
- “What do you most enjoy about your work?”
- “What drives you crazy?”
- “What advice would you give someone who wants to follow in your footsteps?”
Reach out effectively — When contacting someone, keep your message short and focused. A simple email template works well: introduce yourself briefly, explain why you’re reaching out to them specifically, and ask for just 15 minutes of their time. You won’t hear back from everyone, but many people are happy to talk about their own career path. 2
Come prepared and follow up — A common mistake students make is not having a clear sense of what they want to explore. Try to narrow down your area of interest before the conversation. And always send a thank-you note afterward — it matters more than you might think.
Use informational interviews for career exploration — They’re especially valuable for public service careers, where talking with people already in the field gives you insight that job descriptions can’t. They also help you build an initial network that can support your job search down the road. 3
A Few Practical Reminders
- Aim to get multiple perspectives on a role by having several conversations
- Don’t end with a clumsy job ask — keep the focus on learning about their experience 1
- Think of networking as a skill you build over time, not a personality trait 1
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