Informational Interviews

Discover Career Paths Through Informational Interviews

Informational interviews, sometimes called coffee chats, are informal conversations with professionals in careers that interest you. They’re a great way to learn about career paths, day-to-day work, industry trends, and the skills needed to succeed, without the pressure of a formal job interview. Because you take the initiative to start the conversation, informational interviews also help you build your network and practice professional communication.

An informational interview is not a job or internship interview. It’s an opportunity to learn, ask questions, and build a professional connection.

The best resources are connections through family, friends, Emmanuel College alumni, your professors, or LinkedIn. Make a list of 10 people in your network and speak to them or see if they can connect you with anyone.

Using the connections listed above or LinkedIn, make an email or in person introduction and then ask the professional if they would be willing to have a brief (20-30 min) informational interview with you and state your goal of the conversation (ex: “I am currently an Emmanuel College Junior studying Graphic Design and I would like to learn more about the industry”). Schedule a time and location.

If you don’t know or have a connection to a professional it is still ok to reach out and message them on LinkedIn to introduce yourself and see if they would be willing to have a conversation with you.

Remember: Informational interviews aren’t about getting a job. They’re about building relationships and learning from professionals in your field of interest. While an opportunity may not be available right now, making a positive impression and staying connected can open doors to future internships, jobs, or networking opportunities.

Before the Interview

  • Do your research (like you would with any interview) on the person’s professional background, the company they work for, and even trends in the industry. LinkedIn is an excellent resource to find much of this information!
  • Prepare a list of questions you want to ask during the informational interview. Have at least 5-10 questions, or enough to drive a 30-minute conversation.

During the Interview

  • Treat this like a formal interview by acting and dressing professionally.
  • Take notes and be prepared to answer some of their questions.
  • Actively listen to what they are saying, maintain eye contact, nod your head and gesture to show you are listening.
  • Ask follow up questions.

After the Interview

  • Send a thank-you note within 24 hours! Thank them for their time, and reiterate one or two things you found helpful or interesting from the conversation.
  • Follow up on any loose ends from your conversation.

  • How did you get to your current position? And what jobs did you have before this one?
  • What did you career path look like? (similar to the above question)
  • What did you study? (If this can be found on LinkedIn don’t ask this – do your research!)
  • Why were you interested in working in this industry?
  • How has your industry changed since you’ve entered it?
  • Can you tell me about a typical day looks like?
  • What is the most rewarding and most challenging part of your position?
  • What advice do you have for someone starting in the field?
  • What type of training or education would I need for a career in this field?
  • What do you like most about your career? Least?
  • What skills do you think I need to develop to be the most marketable applicant?
  • What types of professional development opportunities are you involved in? What do you suggest?