Career Services

 
 

Informational interviews are an excellent way to explore career fields or organizations of interest to you. For the most part, people enjoy talking about themselves to an enthusiastic listener.

Alumni from the AlumNet and the Career Contact Network databases have volunteered to speak with students and are valuable resources for informational interviews.  It is not permissible however, to use these resources as job banks.

Be sure to arrange the interview in an appropriate fashion.

 
Suggested Questions for Informational Interviews

Taken from the Cornell Career Services Career Guide, available in the CDC.

Career Field

  • How did you decide to enter this field? 
  • What do you find most rewarding about your work? Most difficult? 
  • What training or education is required to perform this type of work? 
  • What are the entry-level opportunities? 
  • Do you have a graduate degree? Is one required to be successful in this field? 
  • What are the greatest challenges you face in the job/organization? 
  • Are there alternative paths to enter this career field, such as internships, volunteer activities, or part-time work? 
  • What do you consider to be the growth areas in the field? 
  • What are some related careers I might consider? 
  • How does one learn about job opportunities in this field?

Organization

  • What formal or on-the-job training does the organization provide?
  • Considering my skills, interest, and academic background, where do you see me fitting into organizations similar to this one? 
  • What is a typical career path within this organization?

Lifestyle and Work Environment

  • What takes place during a typical work day/week? 
  • What obligations does your job place upon you outside the normal work week? 
  • How much flexibility do you have in terms of dress, hours of work, and vacation schedule? 
  • What do you find most rewarding and/or most difficult about your work?

General

  • If you were entering the job market today, how would you plan your job search?
  • Can you suggest others with whom I could speak about this field? May I have permission to use your name when I contact them?