25 Feb 7 Questions to Ask in Informational Interviews

7 Questions to Ask in Informational Interviews

Informational Interviews are one of the best ways to get a real understanding of life in a new job, field or company. They provide a unique opportunity to learn about the day-in-and-day-out  of working in an environment before you actually have to step foot in it. Informational interviews enable you the opportunity to peak behind the curtain and see the magic, or sorcery, behind the scenes to get a clearer understanding if it is something you really want to pursue.

Imagine the time and energy (heck strife!) you can save yourself if you discover a field may not be the dream job you think it is before you devote yourself to getting into it. What if you learn, say, that most jobs in a hospital start at 7am and you are not a morning person? Or you think you want to be in pharmaceutical sales only to discover it requires a lot of travel, yet you are a homebody? Informational interviews can help you uncover these types of issues and more.

Informational interviews can also reinforce what you think you know about a company or industry and can fire you up even more to pursue what you want! How exciting will that be?!

Informational interviews also introduce you to new people and broadens your network. Some of the contacts you meet in the pursuit of informational interviews may potentially play an important role in your career long-term.

Informational interviews can absolutely play a significant role at any point in your career. They are particularly valuable when you are starting your career and exploring what it is you want to do, where you want to do it and how to go about getting there.

The first part of utilizing informational interviews is understanding how to request and prepare for them. I cover that in Informational Interviews: 6 Steps to Secure Them.

Once you have the groundwork for your informational interviews, you’ll be ready to request meetings and introductions. Check out Templates for Requesting Informational Interviews with fill-in-the-blank templates to make requesting informational interviews easy and effective.

Once you get your first informational interviews scheduled, what will you ask?

Questions to Ask in an Informational Interview

Whether your informational interview is an in-person meeting, a phone call or video call, you want to be respectful of the time you’ve been granted. The best way to ensure you stay on track and get the information that is most important to you is to have a list of thoughtful questions prepared.

What is it you really want to know about the job, industry or company you are exploring? What information will help you the most? What bit of insight, that depending upon the answer, may lead you to pursue a certain career path or dissuade you from it?   

Is there a potential deep dark secret you want to get to the bottom of? Go ahead and add it to the list! Your interviewee may choose not to answer it, but he or she may also give you a truthful answer and that’s the point of the interview! Just be sure your question is a professional one. You can expect people to provide what’s good and bad about working an industry, position or company. However, do not expect or ask someone to be critical of their company, colleagues or connections.

Here are some questions I recommend asking in an informational interview and why:

1. In researching the [industry/company/role], I’ve learned that [insert data you’ve uncovered in your research – sale have declined/improved, the company is shifting its focus or rebranding, the position uses more automation and therefore fewer hires are needed], what are your thoughts on this?

This is a good opening question because it validates you’ve done research, understand the current environment, and are truly interested and committed to learning more. Asking this type of probing question demonstrates to the interviewee you are committed to furthering your knowledge on the topic and not simply there to ask the basic questions typically asked of them. It will set you apart, make you more memorable, and position you to be taken seriously. As a result, you will likely receive more thoughtful and meticulous answers than others.

2. What do you like most/least about working in [industry/role/company]? 

The answers to these questions will give you some insight into both the good and bad aspects of the industry, role or company. And if the answer comes across more like a list rather than an explanation, don’t be afraid to follow up with, “Why do you feel that way?” to uncover why what he or she likes most is positive to them and what it is about the least appealing aspects that make them that way.

3. What is something someone coming into this [role/industry/company] would be surprised to learn?

I like this question for a couple of reasons. You should learn something really valuable. How great will it be to learn the surprises now rather than later?! I also like it because it is an uncommon enough question that the interviewee may not be expecting it. Therefore, you may receive a response that is less prepared and rehearsed and more spontaneous than question number two. Oftentimes, a more impulsive response will include some golden nuggets.

4. How is the [role/industry/company] different than most people think it is?

You may feel you know a lot already about the company, position or field. Hopefully you’ve done some research, so you do, in fact, have a lot of insight. The expectations you and others hold about this career path are likely what has made your pursuit of it appealing. This question opens you up to breaking down those expectations a bit to uncover what those outside-looking-in may not be aware of but would benefit from knowing.

5. What are the most important skills, education or experience someone needs to come into this [role/industry/company] and do well? Can you rank or prioritize them? If I’m lacking in one area, can I make up for it in another area? 

This question gets right to the heart of whether you have what is needed to get a position in the field or company you are interested in. If what you hear isn’t the experience or education you currently have, can you make up for it? For example, if you don’t have the education required, can you compensate for it through experience? If what is required is currently lacking in your background, you will need to decide if this career path is important enough to you to obtain it. Or, if it’s not something you are interested in or willing to pursue are you ready to forgo working in the field or at the company? Information is power. Better to have as much as you can upfront and make an educated decision before putting a lot of time and energy pursuing something that you may never be right for.

6. What do you think will be the biggest challenges for someone new coming into this [role/industry/company]? How can they best overcome them?

This is a great set of questions because the answers will deliver you not only the challenges to expect by pursuing this career path but a bit of the roadmap to overcome them. Depending upon the answer, a great follow up question can be, “What do you recommend someone like me to do get started in overcoming those challenges?”

7. What is your best advice on how a person coming into this [role/industry/company] can succeed?

This question shouldn’t require a lot of follow up but does require a lot of listening! This answer should give you great insight into the traits and behaviors of the people who do well in this career path. It will then be up to you to be sure you emulate them when you are working within the same field, industry or company.

Additional tips for your informational interview

You may have other questions you want to add to the list and that’s great! Yes, you should have a prepared list of questions, but while you are conducting the informational interview, be sure you are focused more on listening to the responses then worried about asking the next question. Listen for opportunities for great follow up questions that flow from the conversation naturally rather than starting at your list of questions.

Be mindful of the time and do not overstay your welcome. Once you are done with the conversion, thank them for their time and ask if it would be alright to stay in touch. Let them know you truly appreciate their support of your career and would like to keep them up to date on your pursuits. If they give you permission to remain in touch, then be sure to stay in touch! Drop them a message when you are interviewing for a position you are excited about, do the same when you get a new job. People love helping and being a part of your success, that’s why they agreed to grant you an informational interview in the first place. So, continue to let them be a part of your journey by keeping them informed of it.

It should go without saying, but just in case, send a thank you note within 48 hours of your informational interview. Go beyond a simple thank you, include a couple of sentences specific to what you discussed or referencing the advice or suggestions they provided. Reinforce to them you were listening and learning from them and that it was appreciated. They’ll know their time invested in you was meaningful and will have a positive impact on your career.

Utilize informational interviews to learn more and expand your network as you research a new career direction or opportunity. Maintain and nurture the relationships you establish through your informational interviews, they will likely become invaluable supporters throughout your career.