@cal Career Network

Questions to Ask During an Informational Interview

Using the questions below as a starting point can help you get the most out of your informational interview. Select an appropriate combination of questions and customize them to meet your individual needs.

Questions about a Specific Career Field

1. What are the main responsibilities associated with work in your field?
2. Please describe a typical day, week, month.
3. What interests and skills are needed for successful employment in this field?
4. What are the advantages of working in this field? Disadvantages?
5. What salary and benefits can I expect?
6. What education and experiences will I need to break into your field?
7. What type of work schedule does this field require?
8. Have standard or licensing requirements been established for this field by national professional organizations?
9. Are jobs in this field limited to any particular geographical area(s)?
10. How do people find out about job openings in your occupation?
11. What opportunities exist for advancement and/or lateral movement?
12. What are the emerging jobs in this field?
13. What is the current outlook for new college graduates in your field?
14. Are you satisfied with your field? How could it be improved upon?
15. What do you see happening to your profession in the next five years? Ten years?

Questions about a Specific Organization

1. Please tell me more about your organization and its purposes.
2. Is your organization growing, downsizing or maintaining its current size?
3. How does your organization compete or cooperate with other organizations within this field?
4. How do you think your job would be different if you worked in a larger or smaller organization?
5. How is your organization funded?
6. What is unique about your organization?
7. In the future do you think your organization will need more employees in your field?
8. How is job security within this organization?

Questions about Personal Insights and Experiences

1. What field did you prepare for and expect to enter originally?
2. How did you get where you are in your field?
3. What other jobs or field could you apply your skills to?
4. Would you advise someone else to enter your career field?
5. What would you have done differently in your own career?
6. Do you like your job?
7. Are there personal rewards from the work you do?

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