Information Interviewing

An information interview helps you gain firsthand knowledge from a professional who is working in a career field or organization of interest to you. Unlike the job interview, the information interview is a low-stress situation where you decide whom to interview, what questions to ask, and how to evaluate the responses.

Identify Your Contacts
Arrange the Meeting
Prepare for the Meeting
Follow Up

Identify Your Contacts

Develop a list of potential contacts covering a range of experiences and viewpoints. Be sure the information you are seeking logically relates to their interests and job responsibilities; a professional will be more motivated to grant an interview when you identify issues of mutual concern.

Some useful sources for identifying contacts include: library resource materials, newspaper and magazine articles, professional associations or organizations, human resource departments, Cornell alumni, and referrals from friends, relatives, professors, and former employers.

Arrange the Meeting

You may either call or write to arrange an information interview. Make it clear that you are not asking for a job, you are asking for information. If you set up a meeting by telephone, prepare a brief script saying who you are, who has referred you, why you are calling, and when you would like to meet. When writing, develop the introduction, reason for writing, and specify when you will call to arrange a visit (usually within one week).

If you have been referred by someone, state that person's name early in the telephone call or letter. Always indicate a substantive link between you and the individual, e.g., a Cornellian who shares a similar academic major, someone you have heard speak recently, or a professional with a shared enthusiasm for an issue.

Do not send a resume before the meeting, but always carry a copy with you in case your host requests one. If you have genuine concerns about the effectiveness of your resume, you might consider asking for advice in this area.

Prepare for the Meeting

Thorough preparation is the key to an effective interview, both to gain the information you want and to give a favorable impression of yourself as a candidate.

Research the contact's career field, industry, and organization in order to prepare informed questions. Address issues such as educational and work experience prerequisites, entry-level opportunities, career paths, and work environment. Reword personal concerns such as "Will I be successful as an investment analyst?" to a general question such as "What skills, work experience, and educational background are necessary for success as a financial analyst?"

Follow Up

After the interview, write a brief note thanking the individual for his or her time, stating what information you gained and how you will use it. Keep your network updated on your job search progress and they will remember you if an opportunity arises. After accepting a position, stay in touch with your contacts to keep the door open for future career networking and exchanges of professional information.