Informational Interview Questions

Before you start to think about the questions you'll ask, it's important to note that there is one question you must never ask during this type of interview. Of all of the possible informational interview questions you could ask, the one question you must never ask is, "Are you hiring right now?"

When you set up the informational interview, you will tell your contact that you are looking for information, not a job. If you ask for a job during the informational interview, your contact will feel as though you lied. There are other, more subtle ways to find out about job leads during an informational interview.

1. Can you tell me about a typical day on the job?
   
2. How did you get started doing this type of work?
   
3. What is your favorite part of your job?
   
4. What is your least favorite part of your job?
   
5. What surprised you the most when you started working in this field?
   
6. What is the typical salary range for someone in this line of work? (People are typically uncomfortable stating their salaries, but if you ask in this more general way you can often get an idea of the range.)
   
7. How do you see this industry developing in the future? How is your industry changing?
   
8. What advice would you give to someone who wants to get started in this industry?
   
9. What are employers typically looking for when hiring people in this line of work?
   
10. My background and experience is (briefly note your major qualifications). How do that compare with employers' expectations when hiring in this industry?
    This question gives you the opportunity to present some of your qualifications to your contact, and if your contact is aware of a job opening, it can prompt him or her to mention that.
11. May I have your business card?
    Ask for a business card so you have all of the information needed to contact this person in the future.
12. Is there anyone else I might talk to about this? May I use your name when I contact that person?
    Always ask this informational interview question. If your contact knows about job openings, this question can prompt him or her to mention that. Alternatively, your contact may give you the name of another person people who you can interview, and when you mention your contact's name to the next person, you next interview will be that much easier to arrange.

• Type out a list of the informational interview questions you want to ask and bring it with you. Once you ask the first couple of questions, you probably won't need the list anymore. Typically, your interview will turn into more of a conversation, so you won't need the list to generate discussion, but you'll still have your list ready to ensure you get all of the information you need.
  
  
• It's fine to take notes during an informational interview. Just ask your contact for permission first to ensure he or she feels comfortable with that.
  
  
• Always bring your resume to an informational interview. It's not always appropriate to present your resume during this type of interview, but the conversation may naturally turn in that direction. If your contact asks to see your resume, that's a good sign and you'll want to be prepared.
  
  
• Bring your own personal business cards to every informational interview. Your contact may not know about any job leads at the time, but something might come up in the near future, so you'll want to ensure that he or she has all of your contact information. Providing a personal business card is the easiest, most professional way to ensure your contact has that information.