Informational interviews are a fundamental tool in professional development, enabling individuals to explore career paths, gain industry insights, and expand their professional network. This practice involves a structured, informal conversation with an individual working in a field or role of interest, with the primary goal of gathering information rather than seeking a job.67, 68, 69 Unlike a traditional job interview, the focus of an informational interview is on learning and exploration, offering a low-pressure environment for individuals to understand the realities of a particular profession or industry.65, 66
What Is Informational Interviews?
Informational interviews are proactive conversations initiated by an individual to learn about a specific career, industry, organization, or role from someone with direct experience. These discussions serve as a vital form of market research for one's career, providing firsthand perspectives that may not be available through online research or formal channels.63, 64 Participants in an informational interview typically seek to understand daily responsibilities, required skill development, career trajectories, and industry trends. This approach helps individuals refine their career planning and identify potential pathways within the complex job market.
History and Origin
The concept of the informational interview gained prominence with career guidance literature, particularly with the work of Richard Nelson Bolles, author of the bestselling career handbook What Color Is Your Parachute?62 Bolles popularized the idea in the early 1970s, emphasizing it as a key strategy for job seekers to gain insights into professions and employers without the pressure of a direct job application.61 This method provided a "non-threatening forum" for individuals to learn about specific fields, encouraging a more proactive and informed approach to career exploration rather than solely relying on job postings. Academic studies have since highlighted its effectiveness in career development learning, demonstrating its value in helping students understand job roles and for overall career planning.59, 60
Key Takeaways
- Informational interviews are informal conversations aimed at gathering information about a career, industry, or organization, not directly seeking employment.57, 58
- They provide unique, firsthand "insider" knowledge about daily responsibilities, company culture, and career paths that online research cannot fully offer.55, 56
- These interviews are a crucial component of professional development and a strategic way to build and expand one's professional network.53, 54
- They allow individuals to practice communication and interview skills in a low-stakes environment.51, 52
- Successful informational interviews often lead to further contacts and a deeper understanding of potential career directions, aiding in informed decision-making.49, 50
Interpreting Informational Interviews
Interpreting the insights gained from an informational interview involves synthesizing qualitative information to form a clearer picture of a prospective career or industry. Since there's no numerical outcome, interpretation focuses on understanding nuances such as workplace culture, common challenges, and unspoken industry expectations. Individuals should listen for recurring themes, identify critical skills, and assess whether the described environment aligns with their personal values and long-term objectives. For instance, an informational interview might reveal that a role in investment banking requires significant travel and long hours, which could influence one's financial planning and lifestyle considerations. It is important to compare information from multiple interviews to gain a balanced perspective and to avoid relying on a single individual's experience as the definitive view.48
Hypothetical Example
Consider Sarah, a recent college graduate with a degree in finance, interested in the financial services industry but unsure about specific roles. She decides to conduct informational interviews to explore options beyond common entry-level positions.
- Research: Sarah identifies a few professionals through her university's alumni network and LinkedIn who work in equity research and portfolio management.
- Outreach: She sends personalized emails, clearly stating her interest in learning about their career paths and the industry, emphasizing that she is not seeking a job.
- The Interview: Sarah secures an informational interview with an equity research analyst, Mr. Chen. During their 30-minute conversation, she asks about his typical day, the skills he uses most frequently, and how he transitioned into his role. Mr. Chen explains the intense due diligence involved in analyzing companies and the importance of critical thinking.
- Learning and Reflection: Sarah learns that while equity research is analytical, it also involves extensive report writing and constant monitoring of market news, which she finds appealing. She notes that Mr. Chen mentioned networking events as a key part of his professional development. This interaction provides Sarah with actionable insights, helping her decide to focus her job search efforts more specifically on equity research roles.
Practical Applications
Informational interviews are widely applied across various stages of an individual's career journey. For students and recent graduates, they are invaluable for exploring potential career paths and gaining clarity before committing to specific educational or entry-level roles.46, 47 Professionals considering a career transition can use informational interviews to gather current insights into new industries, assess the demand for their existing skills, and identify areas for skill development.
In the broader context of human capital development, organizations and individuals leverage informational interviews to:
- Career Exploration: Discover niche roles, emerging industries, or alternative applications of existing skills.44, 45
- Industry Deep Dive: Gain an understanding of industry challenges, future trends, and the competitive landscape that may not be available in public reports.43
- Networking and Mentorship: Build genuine professional relationships that can lead to mentorship opportunities or future collaborations. As highlighted by Harvard University's Office of Career Services, informational interviews are a way to "initiate a professional relationship and expand your network of contacts."41, 42
- Targeted Job Search: While not a direct job interview, the insights gained can inform more effective resume tailoring and interview preparation for specific roles.40 The New York Times has also detailed how such conversations can offer valuable career advice and build connections.38, 39
Limitations and Criticisms
While highly beneficial, informational interviews have limitations and have faced criticism. One primary critique is the potential for ambiguity regarding the true intent of the meeting. While the stated purpose is information gathering, some individuals may implicitly view it as an informal job interview or a shortcut to job opportunities, which can lead to misaligned expectations and potentially annoy the interviewee.37 This can be a misuse of the process, as the core principle of an informational interview is to seek knowledge, not employment.36
Another limitation stems from the subjective nature of the information received. The insights provided by an interviewee are based on their individual experience, skills, and personality, which may not be universally applicable or entirely objective.35 This can lead to a skewed perception of a role or industry if an individual relies too heavily on a single perspective without cross-referencing. For instance, a professional might unintentionally downplay the risk management aspects of their job, leading the interviewer to underestimate the challenges.
Furthermore, while informational interviews aim to expand one's networking reach, critics argue that they can inadvertently perpetuate existing biases in hiring. If individuals primarily reach out to those with similar backgrounds or connections, it may reinforce homogenous professional circles, potentially disadvantaging those from underrepresented groups who lack such initial connections.34 The Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL) emphasizes the importance of thorough preparation and asking specific, non-easily searchable questions to ensure the interview provides unique value, acknowledging that poor preparation can lead to a wasted opportunity.32, 33
Informational Interviews vs. Networking
Informational interviews and networking are closely related but distinct components of professional development. Networking is a broader term encompassing the entire process of building and maintaining professional relationships to share resources, gain support, and explore opportunities. It is an ongoing activity that can involve various interactions, from attending industry events to casual conversations.30, 31
In contrast, an informational interview is a specific, targeted type of networking interaction. It is a pre-arranged, focused conversation with a clear objective: to gather information and insights about a particular career path, industry, or organization from someone working in that field.28, 29 While all informational interviews are a form of networking, not all networking activities are informational interviews. For example, attending a large industry conference to meet multiple contacts is networking, but a one-on-one meeting specifically designed to ask a professional about their day-to-day role is an informational interview.27 The former aims to broaden one's general professional circle, while the latter seeks specific, in-depth knowledge and advice from an expert.26
| Feature | Informational Interview | Networking (Broader) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Goal | To gather specific information and insights.25 | To build and maintain professional relationships.24 |
| Focus | The interviewee's experience, role, and industry. | Mutual benefit, connection, and relationship building.23 |
| Formality | Typically informal, structured conversation.22 | Can range from casual to formal interactions.21 |
| Outcome | Informed career decisions, new insights.20 | Potential for future opportunities, advice, support.19 |
| Direct Job Ask | Explicitly avoided.18 | Generally avoided for initial connections, but can indirectly lead to opportunities.17 |
FAQs
Q: What is the main difference between an informational interview and a job interview?
A: The main difference lies in the objective. An informational interview is for the interviewer to gather information about a career, industry, or role, while a job interview is for the employer to assess a candidate for a specific opening.16 In an informational interview, you are the one asking most of the questions to learn, whereas in a job interview, the employer asks questions to evaluate your suitability for a position.15
Q: How long do informational interviews typically last?
A: Informational interviews are usually brief, often lasting 20 to 30 minutes.14 It is important to respect the interviewee's time and stick to the agreed-upon duration, unless they explicitly offer to extend the conversation.13
Q: Should I bring my resume to an informational interview?
A: While you can bring a copy of your resume, it is generally advised not to present it immediately or ask for a job.11, 12 The purpose of the meeting is informational. If the conversation flows well and the interviewee asks about your background or offers to provide feedback, then it may be appropriate to offer your resume for their review or advice.10
Q: What kind of questions should I ask during an informational interview?
A: Focus on open-ended questions that cannot be easily answered by a quick internet search.9 Good questions explore the interviewee's career path, typical day, challenges, required skills, industry trends, and advice for someone entering the field. For instance, "What do you find most rewarding about your role?" or "What challenges do you face regularly in this industry?"7, 8 Avoid asking for specific job openings.5, 6
Q: How do I follow up after an informational interview?
A: Always send a thank-you note within 24-48 hours, expressing gratitude for their time and insights.3, 4 You can also briefly mention something specific you learned or how you plan to act on their advice. Maintaining periodic, non-intrusive contact can help nurture the professional relationship over time, contributing to your human capital.1, 2