UMD Career Services

Informational Interviewing

The information gathering interview should be conducted after you have analyzed your skills, interests, and abilities and have studied other sources of career information.

The Informational Interview

• Increases your knowledge about your field(s) of interest.
• Helps you clarify your career goals.
• Allows potential employers to know you in a pleasant, low stress atmosphere.
• Establishes a network of contacts that could lead to future employment.

In order to conduct successful information gathering interviews, follow the steps outlined below:

1. Analyze your skills and interests and clarify your professional goals.
   
2. Research the "World of Work."
   • Select occupational fields which might fit your career interests and needs and conduct extensive research on these fields.
   • Use the information in the UMD Career Resource Center.
   • Write to organizations and request brochures, annual reports, and other material.
     
3. Identify career professionals who are knowledgeable about your targeted field, career or organization.
   • Use your personal contacts to develop a list of people you can call for informational interviews. Talk with Career Services staff, other university staff and faculty, employers at job and career fairs, friends, and family members and attend professional association meetings to get ideas.
     
4. Set up appointments.
   • Tell the contact people that you are interested in their careers and would like to meet with them to discuss opportunities in the field.
   • Be resourceful, sincere, and, above all, show interest in what your "target" people are doing. They may welcome the opportunity to discuss their work with you.
   • If a person cannot see you, ask whether you can talk for a few minutes on the telephone. If the person cannot talk with you, politely end the conversation.
   • Ask for names of other people you might contact within the same field or organization.
   • Ask permission to use the name of your resource person when contacting others. Use the name only if permission is granted.
     
5. Prepare for the interview.
   • Thoroughly research the organization by studying annual reports, brochures, and other materials.
   • Find people who are acquainted with the organization and talk with them.
   • Prepare a resume and bring it with you.
   • Prepare and rehearse a list of questions to ask the person you will interview.
   • Dress appropriately for the interview.
     
6. Conduct the interview. Remember that it is not a job interview! Your purpose is to acquire information. You are the person in control of the interview, so be prepared. Respect the fact that the interviewee has taken time from a busy schedule to see you. Do not ask questions that you could have researched in the Career Resource Center or elsewhere. Learn as much as you can about the career field and the organization. Try to create a favorable impression.

   Suggested questions to ask:

   • What is your exact position title?
   • What is your education and experience?
   • How did your education and experience prepare you for your position?
   • How did you get started in the field?
   • What do you like most (and least) about your work?
   • What personal qualities does one need to succeed in the field?
   • What do you do during a typical work day?
   • What skills are most valuable for someone just beginning in the field?
   • What future do you see for the field or organization?
   • Are there any specific courses you might suggest to prepare for the field?
   • What suggestions do you have for someone wanting to enter the field?
   • How long have you been with the organization?
   • What is the entry level salary and range for this kind of position?
   • What benefits are there in addition to salary?
   • What are the opportunities for advancement?
   • What are some related occupations?
   • What needs to be included for a strong resume and cover letter for this kind of position?
   • Is there anyone else you could suggest I talk with?

By asking the person you are interviewing for the name of anyone else with whom you could talk, you establish a referral list and build a job search network. Although your primary purpose in interviewing is to obtain information, you can (at appropriate times) indicate your strengths and interests. It is important, however, to be sensitive to the interviewee's time constraints.

7. Write a thank you letter. Your contact has given you valuable work time.
8. Follow up.
   • Keep accurate and detailed records of each interview and organization you visit.
   • Contact people on your referral list and interview them.