Do you want to learn more about the career paths that interest you but don’t know how? Gather valuable, industry-specific information from a professional through conducting an informational interview.
What is an Informational Interview?
Informational interviewing is not interviewing for a job, but a way for you to gain valuable insights into your career area of interest, that would otherwise be difficult to find in books or on the internet. The insights you gain will allow you to make more informed decisions, whether you are planning your career or looking for a job.
Why conduct an informational interview?
- Get a reality check about what a career actually entails and/or decide whether an occupation suits you.
- Gain insider tips regarding what courses to take, what experience is required, and how to market yourself when actively searching for similar positions.
- Develop knowledge of the industry, recent trends and developments, and jargon.
- Build new contacts in your field of interest and further networking.
- Develop communication skills and confidence in meeting/talking with new people.
- Find out career paths you did not know existed and explore new career options.
- Learn more about a particular company, industry and inside information and insights.
- For more information on Informational Interviews, see our Tip Sheet
updated May 2025