Ken Chase 
Do you know which questions to ask during an informational interview?
How well do you understand your own career goals? Are there particular jobs you'd like to know more about before you commit to submitting your resume? Or maybe you just want to find out whether a company is currently seeking to fill an open position. If so, then you may want to schedule an informational interview. But before you do, make sure you understand how to ask the right informational interview questions.
Knowing the best informational interview questions to ask can help you learn everything you need to know to make a great career decision.
What is an Information Interview?
One of the best ways to get a feel for a job and a company without interviewing for an actual position is to schedule an informational interview. This interview is simply an informal conversation between you and someone who holds a job similar to what you are searching for. It's not about trying to land a job on the spot – there might not even be an open position. Instead, it's about gathering information.
There are many potential benefits from this type of meeting, including:
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Learning more about a given job and the company's expectations
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Building contacts within a company that may lead to future career opportunities
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Gaining insight that can help you more effectively chart your career path
Top informational interview questions to ask
“I noticed that you've worked at Company A and Company B. How did your career path take you to this job with this company?”
Before the interview, take some time to research the person's LinkedIn page. Check out their background and take note of any peculiar jumps or shifts that might make interesting talking points. This question is a good one to begin with since it will clearly demonstrate you have done your homework and are prepared.
What you'll learn: The answer here should help you understand the basic career path that leads to this job. That can help you understand what your own career path may look like.
“What are the major components of your job on a daily basis?”
If you think you understand everything about a job role, think again. Your interview may reveal that you don't understand the job title as well as you thought – or maybe this particular company manages things differently. This is a good informational interview question because it helps you learn what they do during an average day so you can look past the basic job description and see what the job really entails.
What you'll learn: Is this job really what you thought it would be, and does it sound right for you? The insight you gain could be a revelation.
“What do you enjoy the most about the job?”
This question may also surprise you. Perhaps their favorite part of the job is something simple that fits their personality. Or maybe there are job benefits you didn't even know existed. When you learn what a person really likes about their job, you gain insight into why they continue in that role. It's the motivational factor that keeps them coming to work each day.
What you'll learn: What's the emotional payoff for this job? If you think you'd get excited about the same thing, then this could be a good career fit for you.
Related reading: Crafting a Compelling Response to Why This Position Appeals to You
“What do you like least about your job?”
Since this isn't an actual job interview, you can stray from the usual questions you would ask in that setting. You're talking to a regular employee, and they should feel free to tell you exactly what they think. They may dislike boring, mundane tasks, or office politics. Maybe they're not getting the right support from management. Take note of their answer since your own career may face similar obstacles.
What you'll learn: It's great to hear the upside of a job, but you need to hear the downside as well. Put them together and you'll have a better understanding of every aspect of the role you're considering.
“How do you see this job changing in the next 10 years?”
Think about any job role and try to think about what that career was like 10 years ago. Chances are that it's changed over time. Technology and social media have dramatically altered the world and how we work. Not everyone likes change, so be prepared for both positive and negative assessments.
What you'll learn: Even if you're with a pessimistic person who longs for the past, you should be able to get some sort of glimpse of the future and what you'll need to do to stay ahead of the game.
“If you could go back and do anything differently on this career path, what would you do?”
Who hasn't thought “Oh, I wish I'd gotten this minor instead of that one” or “I should have learned more computer programs when I was younger?” Everyone can look back and think of something they could have done to smooth out their career path. It could be taking certain classes, getting certifications, or even moving to a new location. Your interviewee's response is important, and you'll want to keep it in mind as you progress in your career.
What you'll learn: If you can, try to learn from other people's mistakes. If they've realized a certain computer program is beneficial for their job role, learn it. If you can learn which obstacles to avoid, you may be able to prepare yourself for the future.
“What kinds of work samples should my portfolio have?”
At this point, you probably have some experience in your field, or at least some interest. But do you have the experience companies are looking for? This is a good informational interview question because your portfolio can be just as important as your resume. Companies don't just want to hear about what you can do – they want to see it. Make sure you're showing them the right stuff.
What you'll learn: It's important to know whether your portfolio is sending the right message. Are you missing key elements? This is a great way to learn what employers are expecting and prevent yourself from handing out a subpar portfolio to a would-be employer.
Related reading: How to Answer, “What Makes You Unique?” – Interview Question Examples & Insights
“Who else would you recommend I speak with about this career?”
Don't leave the informational interview until you ask this question! It's great to talk to someone who is currently in the position you aspire to, but you should always strive for more. If they can recommend one or two more people and even help you connect with those people, you'll have an opportunity to build new relationships.
The fact is that people who do similar jobs often have completely different ideas about their roles and may provide dramatically different answers to these questions. The more people you can talk to, the more information you will have.
What you'll learn: The names of more people you'd like to know, including people in the industry who might be willing to take the time to help.
Once you've gotten the answers to your informational interview questions, be sure to thank the person for their time. Think about it: what's in it for them? Helping you. That's it. Send them a nice thank you card or at least an email. Then connect with them on LinkedIn.
Use informational interviews to shape your career path!
When you're participating in an informational interview, it's vital to ask informational interview questions that provide the insight you're seeking. By focusing on these and similar interview questions, you can get the details you need to make great decisions that fuel your job search and advance your career goals.
Editor's Note: This article was originally published on our sister site, TopResume. It was originally written by Tyler Omoth and has been updated by Ken Chase.
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