Informational Interviews - What are they?

The most current and specific information about a career field may not be available online. The most helpful information can come from people who are actually working in that field.

How do you get that information? By setting up an Informational Interview with an informed individual. An informational interview is a conversation you have with someone working in an area of interest to you. It is an effective research tool and is best done after preliminary online research. It is not a job interview, and the objective is not to find job openings.

You may feel awkward reaching out to people you do not know. However, most people actually enjoy taking a bit of time out of their day to reflect on their professional life and give advice to someone interested in their field. So don’t hesitate to reach out to someone in a company that interests you. Many people do this through LinkedIn, by sending short messages through the ‘Message’ or ‘InMail’ feature, and requesting a conversation or meeting.

Here are the benefits of an Informational Interview:

• Get firsthand, relevant information about the realities of working within a particular field, industry, or position.

• Find out about career paths you did not know existed.

• Get tips and insider knowledge about how to prepare for and land your chosen career role.

• Learn what it is like to work at a specific organization.

• Initiate a professional relationship and expand your network of contacts in a specific career field; and meet people who may forward job leads to you in the future.

Visit our Virtual Resource Room at Calgary Career Hub for updated information on all topics related to job search. Be sure to check out the Career Planning and Networking Category, which is most relevant to Informational Interviews.