Informational Interviews
(or Networking Meetings)

Informational interviews are an excellent way to gather information about industries, companies, career options, occupational areas, and specific jobs. It is also helps build your network. The purpose of an informational interview is for you to GATHER INFORMATION, NOT TO ASK FOR A JOB. If you go to an informational interview with the intention of asking for a job, you risk offending the person and destroying the opportunity to gather valuable information.

How to Set up an Informational Interview:

Research and pick out several people you'd like to meet with. There are many networking sources available to you for making contacts (see the list in the previous section).

After you've picked out some potential contacts, give them a call and ask for a few minutes of their time for an informational interview and explain your reasons for contacting them. For example, if you'd like to talk about a career in accounting, you could ask to meet with one of your accounting professors. During that meeting you could ask if he/she has contacts within your area of interest or company.

The amount of time for an informational interview depends on how much time the contact has to spend with you. Some are as short as 20 minutes in his/her office, or some may include an hour-long meeting and a tour. The allotted time varies, so be sure to ask how much time the person will be able to spend with you.

The Alumni Link in the BCC is a great source for Informational Interviews.

Before the Meeting

1. Research the industry, career area, and company the person represents. This is helpful for generating good questions and actively participating in the discussion.
2. Construct a general outline of what you'd like to accomplish during the meeting.
3. Plan an introduction for yourself.
4. Devise a list of questions (note the sample list on the next page) about the organization, people, position, field of work, industry, and how the person got his/her start in the career.
5. Be prepared to tell the person about yourself including skills, abilities, experiences and goals REMEMBER, this is for information purposes only. You are NOT trying to convince the person to hire your for a job.
6. Do NOT send a letter and resume for a face-to-face meeting (unless the person requests it).

During the Meeting

1. Introduce yourself.
2. Thank the person for his/her time and willingness to meet with you.
3. Establish the ground rules for the informational meeting -- make sure the person knows you are NOT asking for a job, but requesting information for your job/career search.
4. State that you'd like to find out more about your career area and would appreciate getting the names of people that are knowledgeable in the field or work for companies you're interested in.
5. Give a brief career summary and explain why you decided to call this person. Give a brief description of your experience and why you are looking for connections in your field.
6. Ask your prepared questions and be a GOOD listener.
7. Ask for guidance regarding your employability and strategy.
8. Request at least two referrals: "Do you know of anyone else I might contact?"
9. Thank him/her for the time, interest, and information. Leave the door open for further contact as your job search develops.
10. Ask for the person's business card.

After the Meeting

Always send thank you lettersto those you meet with!

University of Minnesota 2-100/2-180 Hanson Hall 1925 4th Street South Minneapolis, MN 55455

Business Career Center (612)-624-0011 (612)-625-8840 fax