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50 Questions for Informational Interviews

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50 QUESTIONS FOR AN INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW Informational interviews are ideal for professionals interested in changing occupations, college students interested in learning more about a certain major, and anybody else who wants to increase their understanding of the numerous positions that are available in the workforce.

The best part about these exchanges is that you are in control; rather than being interrogated, you have the chance to pose some inquiries of your own.

But what are the finest inquiries to make during an informational interview?

You’ll need to filter through the many informational interview questions listed below and choose the ones that best meet your interests in order to determine what major or career you want to learn more about.

Remember, it’s better to have too many questions than not enough. Prioritize your questions before the interview so you may be sure to acquire answers to the most crucial ones.

informational interview questions

1. Accomplish you normally do the same thing every day or do your tasks change frequently? GENERAL INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

2. Do you spend more time traveling or working in an office? (If the employee travels, ask follow-up questions from an informational interview about how frequently travel is necessary, whether the employer pays for travel expenses, etc.)

3. Do you usually work the same shift every day, or does it vary depending on the demands of your customers and your company?

4. Do you tend to keep occupied the most of the time? (You might want to follow up with additional inquiries about workload, downtime, and what workers often do when there is a gap in their schedule to learn more about these topics.)

5. What level of schooling was required for your particular position?
6. On average, how many years of experience are needed for your position?
7. What issue do you see recent college grads in this field having the most trouble with?
8. What are some of the most common causes for people to abandon this job or line of work?
9. Does this field offer many prospects for professional advancement?

10. What level of computer proficiency is needed for this position? (If there are any particular programs you have in mind, you can inquire about them; most employers want to know that you can type, conduct web searches, and use Microsoft Office software.)

What college major and minor might assist you land a job in this career field? 11. INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS COLLEGE STUDENTS SHOULD ASK
12. Should I enroll in any particular courses to pursue employment in this industry?
13. Would you advise having some work experience first or going directly to graduate school?
14. Is it possible to work in this industry without a relevant degree?
15. How many internships should college students complete before graduating, in your opinion?

16. Do you host any annual events that are especially targeted at college students and new grads? If so, inquire further during the informational interview about the dates and locations of these activities.

17. What one piece of advise would you give to a college student who wants to work in this industry?

QUESTIONS FOR THE COMPANY SPECIFIC INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW 18. Does the company have a number of employees who have worked there for at least two or three years? You can determine whether there is a lot of turnover or not by doing this.

19. What can you tell me about the normal interview procedure for an entry-level position here?

20. Do you believe that having a graduate degree is advantageous for employees? (Depending on your interests, you could want to ask informational interview questions about whether a higher degree is associated with greater income, promotions, or company incentives.)

21. Does your business offer tuition assistance?
What is the required minimum words per minute (wpm) for typing for employees?
23. Do you think the management are encouraging and receptive to suggestions from their staff?
Does there exist a dress code? If yes, could you give an example of appropriate attire?
25. Do workers receive rewards for achieving milestones or setting and achieving goals?
26. Do you think this business is innovative?
27. Do you think the company does a good job of informing staff members of changes?
28. Does the business hire recent college grads?
29. How would you rate the office’s general spirit?
30. Do people tend to socialize with one another or keep to themselves?
Does your business plan social events and activities?
32. What distinguishes this business from competitors in the sector?
33. Has the business ever had to let any workers go?
34. What kinds of entry-level jobs does your business provide?
35. Do you think the company’s benefits are competitive?
36. Does the business provide dental, vision, and health insurance?
37. Throughout the year, are employees required to work any holidays?

QUESTIONS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE PEOPLE YOU’RE TALKING WITH You might need to conduct some of your own research to come up with the greatest informational interview questions to ask the subject, depending on how much you already know about them. Create your own using the following ideas as a guide!

38. How long have you been employed by the business?
39. What other positions in this industry have you held?
40. What did you study in college?
Do you believe that your work allows you to maintain a healthy work-life balance?
42. What characteristics do you search for in candidates for this position (or industry)?
43. Did you know you wanted to work in this industry from the beginning?
44. Where else would you look for employment if you weren’t employed here?
45. What contributed to your current situation?
46. If you had a second chance, what would you change?
What is the highest job you might possibly hold given your training and/or experience?
48. If you were in charge of making a hiring decision, what criteria would you use?
49. Do you have any credentials, licenses, or trainings?
50. What drew you to work with this particular group of people?

You may easily modify any of these 50 informational interview questions to suit your needs or use them as an inspiration to create your own; they are just the tip of the iceberg.

Remember to order your questions according to importance, starting with the most crucial ones.

You could only have 30 minutes to an hour to get all of your questions answered, depending on who you interview and how much time they have available in their calendar.

Ask the individual you want to interview whether they are okay with you emailing them some questions instead if something comes up and you can’t coordinate schedules. The last thing you want to do is offer them a laundry list and overwhelm them, so if they agree, pick your top ten informational interview questions and email them.

Which of these questions would you pick to ask if you could only ask one? Please share your responses in the comments section.
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