Networking-From “Skills to Pay the Bills” curriculum from the U.S.

Department of Labor

INFORMATIONAL
INTERVIEWING
ACTIVITY
Informational interviewing is a networking activity important to the career
development and career exploration process.

An informational interview is an interview with a person who is doing the kind of

work in which you are interested. It is an excellent technique to use when you
want to: explore different career options; learn more about certain occupations;
and/or begin to network with people who can help you in your job search.

Although it is an effective job search tool, it’s very important to remember that
the primary purpose of an informational interview is to obtain information, not a
job.

You will conduct an informational interview with someone you know that has a
job. You will pretend that you are interested in their career path. In the
interview, you must ask the person AT LEAST THREE of the following nine
questions. Record their answers below the questions in this Word document.

• How did you decide on this field of work?

• How did you get into this field of work?

• What do you like best about your work?

• What do you like the least?

• What is a typical day or week like for someone in your occupation?

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 Networking-From “Skills to Pay the Bills” curriculum from the U.S. Department of Labor

• What kind of skills, education, and/or training would I need to get into this
area?

• What personal qualities are necessary for someone in this occupation?

• What is a typical entry-level salary? (Do NOT ask how much the person you are
interviewing earns!)

• Do you know someone else doing this kind of work that I could talk to for my
research?

After you have completed your interview, get a “Thank You” card from Mrs.
Stearman. You must write and send a “Thank You” note to the person you
interview.

BONUS POINTS: If you use the 9th question in your interview, and If the person
you speak to recommends another person to interview, you may earn 25 bonus
points. To receive your bonus points, you must ask the second person AT LEAST
THREE of the nine questions and record their answers below each question.

• How did you decide on this field of work?

• How did you get into this field of work?

• What do you like best about your work?

• What do you like the least?

• What is a typical day or week like for someone in your occupation?

• What kind of skills, education, and/or training would I need to get into this
area?

• What personal qualities are necessary for someone in this occupation?

• What is a typical entry-level salary? (Do NOT ask how much the person you are
interviewing earns!)

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 Networking-From “Skills to Pay the Bills” curriculum from the U.S. Department of Labor

• Do you know someone else doing this kind of work that I could talk to for my
research?

You will also get a “Thank You” card from Mrs. Stearman for your second
interview. You must write and send a “Thank You” note to the person you
interview.

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