University of California Berkeley Career Guide - Flipbook - Page 12
Informational Interviews
One of the BEST ways to learn more about a job or industry is to talk to someone who is currently working in that
industry or job.
Informational Interview - noun: Informal conversation with someone working in an area of interest to you who is willing to give
you information about a job, career field, industry, or work setting. It is not a job interview, and the objective is not to find job
openings.
1. Identify people to interview. Here’s how:
• People you already know, even if they aren’t in fields of
interest to you, can lead you to people who are. This
includes family, friends, peers, graduate student instructors (GSIs), professors, former employers/coworkers, etc.
• Search LinkedIn for professionals including alumni in a
specific role, or in a specific industry you’d like to know
more about.
• Use My Berkeley to identify Cal alumni who will talk to
you about their careers.
• Attend networking events and seminars to identify
possible contacts.
2. Initiate contact
• Contact the person by email, phone, or LinkedIn.
• Mention how you got their name (e.g., let them know if a
mutual acquaintance referred you, My Berkeley, Linkedin, etc).
• Emphasize that you are looking for information, not a job,
and that you are flexible with scheduling and time.
3. Prepare for the interview
• Develop a 30 second overview to introduce yourself,
including your reasons for contacting this person. Plan
open ended questions to keep conversation flowing rather
than questions that call for yes/no answers.
4. Conduct the informational interview (phone or
in-person)
• Dress appropriately for in-person meetings, as you want to
make a positive impression even though this is not a job
interview.
• Restate that your objective is to get information and advice,
not a job.
• Take notes if you like, ask for a business card, and ask for
suggestions of other people to talk to.
5. Follow Up
• Send a thank-you note within 1-2 days to express your
gratitude.
• Keep in touch. Mention that you followed up on their advice
and tell them how things are going. This relationship could
become an important part of your professional network.
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Possible Questions:
• What is a typical day like for you?
• What are common entry-level jobs in this field?
• Can you tell me about your career journey, and
what led you here?
• What are the rewards/challenges/frustrations of
your work?
• What tips or advice do you have for a college
student interested in this company/industry/line
of work?
• What are the most important skills or qualities
necessary to be a successful entry level candidate at this field/in this industry?
• What steps should I take to prepare to enter this
field?
• Where do you see growth or change in this
industry?
Sample Inquiry:
Dear Ms. Jones:
I am a junior majoring in Political Science at the
University of California, Berkeley and spoke with
you briefly at the Cal Career Fair in September.
Although I am not currently looking for a job,
I am very interested in learning all I can about
careers in the field of public policy and what
skills I might make a point of developing during
my last year at Cal. I would greatly appreciate
15 to 20 minutes of your time to ask you a few
questions about your role as Health Policy
Analyst with the City of Berkeley, as well as other
types of work in the field.
Thank you for your consideration. I will contact
you next week to arrange a convenient time to
meet with you.
Regards,
Your Name
