Informational Interviewing Questions
- Can you describe your background?
- What were the experiences that had an effect on your career development?
- How did you become interested in your field?
- Has your career progress been a planned, controlled process?
- How much has it been affected by external factors? ... by chance?
- If you were to start over, would you choose the same path? ... the same work?
- What would you change?
- What skills are particularly important in your field?
- What background or experience do you look for in a job candidate? What personal qualities are shared by most of the successful people in your field?
- What aspects of this field do you consider particularly satisfying?
- What are the rewards, both tangible and intangible?
- What are some of the more difficult aspects of your work?
- Are these typical of the field?
- What are some of the stresses and frustrations, and how do you prepare for these?
- How do the satisfactions and difficulties balance out?
- How does your career affect your life-style?
- Time available for relationships and other interests?
- Salary and benefits that support a particular way of life?
- Impact of this field on being single? ... partnered? ... having children?
- What are primary goals and concerns of this organization?
- Is that typical of organizations in this field/industry?
- What major changes are anticipated in your field in the next ten years?
- How should someone considering the field best prepare?
- What publications and professional associations are important to the field?
- Can you suggest other professionals who might be helpful?
