8/9/2019 40 Questions to Ask in an Informational Interview

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40 Questions to Ask in an Informational Interview

Most job hunters, realizing that networking is critical to their search, work hard to arrange face-to-face meetings with

contacts. But setting up appointments with all the friends, professional acquaintances and corporate bigwigs you can is just

the first step. More important is knowing what to say once you arrive. ince wasting contacts! time is unacceptable, you

should prepare an agenda before each meeting. "ecide what you would like to find out from your contact, then prepare

questions to elicit that information.

#o simplify the query-writing process, review the following list of questions. $ick those that are most appropriate, then tailor

them to fit your personal situation and speaking style. %ormulate some of your own as well, but don!t try to squeeze in too

many questions. &t!s better to leave contacts wanting more than to wear out your welcome.

What Work is Like

'. (ould you describe one of your typical workdays for me)

*. +hat skills are required in your position on a day-to-day basis)

. +hat parts of your job do you find most challenging)

. +hat do find most enjoyable)

. /re there any negatives to your job)

0. 1ow many hours do you work in a typical week)

2. +hich seasons of the year are toughest in your job)

3. 1ow would you describe the corporate culture)

4eep in mind that you can use information that you know about the company or industry within your question. #his shows

your knowledge base and seriousness. /n e5ample of how to make question 62 more relevant7 8/s an accountant at a

medium-sized local firm, &9d imagine that your busiest seasons revolve around your clients9 fiscal year ends, which can vary.

+hat would you say would be the most demanding times of the year for your firm9s accountants):

State of the Industry

;. &s this field growing enough so that there!s room for someone like me)

'

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'2. /re there opportunities for self-employment in your field) +here)

/n e5ample of how to make 6'' more relevant7 8&9ve noticed that the state and federal governments have devoted a great

deal of funding to the biotech industry in +estern =ew >ork. /s a salesperson for ?ife #echnologies, what kind of effects have

you seen from this e5tra funding, and how do you anticipate the industry and your company e5panding due to this revenue):

Money and Advancement

'3. +hat would be a reasonable salary range to e5pect if & entered this field) +hat is the long term potential)

';. +hat is the advancement potential in the field) +hat is a typical path)

*

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. (onsidering all the people you!ve met in your line of work, what personal attributes are essential for success)

0. #aking into account my skills, education, and e5perience, what other career paths would you suggest & e5plore

before making a final decision)

/n internship-focused alternative to 60 might be7 8#hinking about the most successful interns you have had, what was it

about their character, work ethic, abilities, etc. that made them e5emplary):

More Information

2. +here can & write to get up-to-date information on salaries, employers, and industry issues)

3. +hat professional journals and organizations should & be aware of)

;. &s there anything else you think & need to know)