Northwestern University
University Career Services
Informational Interviewing Why Do Informational Interviews?
To gather information to determine if a career/position is a good for you To seek information that you won’t find in printed resources, e.g. career path and personal experiences To understand a typical day in a career field To learn what coursework/experiences/activities will make you more marketable
Identifying Potential People Personal Referrals Friends Family Neighbors Professors
Direct Contacts Professional organizations Employer events Company websites
NU Resources
Northwestern CareerNet (www.nwuconnection.com) Kellogg Mentors Program (in UCS Library) NU Alumni Career Panels (http://alumni.northwestern.edu/events)
During the Interview
Sample Questions
Arranging the Interview 1. Initiate contact with your prospective interviewee either by e-mail, phone, or mail 2. Identify who you are, how you were referred, and why you are contacting them 3. Ask for 20–30 minutes of their time to learn more about their position and career field 4. Try to schedule the interview at the actual workplace setting. If not possible, conduct interview via phone or e-mail 5. Develop a list of 10-15 relevant questions. Tailor the questions to your needs and the knowledge of the interviewee. 6. If you don’t hear back from your prospective interviewee, send a follow-up e-mail. If your 2nd attempt isn’t successful, contact others! University Career Services Main Location: 620 Lincoln Street Career Lab: Main Library, Core Reserves, 2nd Flr Phone: 847-491-3700 www.northwestern.edu/careers
Dress professionally and arrive early (if in-person). Take notes! Thank them for their time Ask for a business card for following up
How did you decide on this career? What are the major responsibilities of your position? If there is such a thing as an average week, what is it like for you? What do you find most/least satisfying about your job? What are the positive/negative aspects of working in this field? What type of individual usually succeeds in this field/organization? What are the “hot issues” in this field? What trends/developments do you see affecting career opportunities? How can I become a more competitive candidate for this industry? What steps would you recommend I take in order to prepare to enter this field?
After the Interview
Reflect on what you learned during the interview and how it has helped you in your career decision making Send a personalized thank-you note within 48 hours, highlighting the value of the meeting. If a suggestion, tip, or referral the interviewee provided was helpful, mention this in your note.
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