Skills For Work
How to get the most out of an informational interview
Career conversations – whether they're casual chats or more formal informational interviews – are one of the most powerful tools you have for exploring your future. They're like getting insider access to the careers you're curious about, and the best part. Most people are surprisingly happy to share their experiences with someone who's genuinely interested.
What exactly is an informational interview?
A informational interview or career conversation is simply talking with someone who works in a field or job you're considering, with the goal of learning more about what their work is really like. It's not about asking for a job (that would be awkward!) – it's about gathering honest, first-hand information to help you understand whether a particular path might suit you.
These conversations can happen in different ways. You might have a planned 20-30 minute chat with a family friend who works in marketing, bump into someone at a community event and end up discussing their career as a paramedic, or even learn from professionals sharing their experiences on podcasts or social media. The key is that you're hearing from someone with real experience, not just reading generic information online.
Understanding different types of interviews
Not all career conversations serve the same purpose, and understanding what you need can help you make the most of each opportunity:
The exploration chat
This is perfect when you're in the early stages of considering a career path. Maybe you've heard about sports psychology or environmental science, but you don't really know what these professionals actually do day-to-day. An exploration chat helps you understand the basics and might even introduce you to related careers you'd never considered.
The gap-filling conversation
You've done some research, read a few articles, maybe even looked at university courses, but you still have specific questions or concerns. Perhaps you're worried that becoming a teacher means you'll struggle financially, or you're not sure if you need to be incredibly artistic to work in graphic design. This type of conversation helps fill in the missing pieces.
The focused interview
This comes later in your exploration when you're pretty confident about your chosen field. Now you want insider information: which universities have the best reputation in this field? What skills should you be developing now? Which companies are great to work for? This conversation helps you plan your next steps more strategically.
Who should you talk to?
The good news is that potential conversation partners are everywhere – you just need to know where to look:
Start close to home
Begin with your existing network. Ask your parents, relatives, teachers, and family friends about their careers or if they know someone in the field you're interested in. Your dentist, your neighbour, your part-time job supervisor – you'd be amazed how many different careers are represented in the people you already know.
Expand through school connections
Your school's careers advisor or guidance counsellor often has connections with professionals in various fields. Many schools also have alumni networks or parent volunteer programmes where people are specifically willing to share their career experiences with students.
Professional networks and community groups
Look for local professional associations, industry groups, or community organisations. Many professionals belong to groups like the local medical association, teachers' union, or business networking groups. These organisations often welcome inquiries from students and may even have formal mentoring programmes.
Online platforms
LinkedIn can be incredibly useful for finding professionals, especially if you're looking for people in specific companies or roles. Many professionals are open to helping students and will respond to polite, well-crafted messages.
Community events and open days
University open days, career fairs, industry conferences, and community events are goldmines for meeting professionals. Don't just collect brochures – engage in conversations with the people representing different organisations.
How to approach someone for a career conversation
Asking someone for their time can feel intimidating, but remember that most people are flattered when someone shows genuine interest in their career. Here's how to make the approach:
Be clear and specific
Whether you're writing an email, sending a LinkedIn message, or asking in person, be upfront about what you're seeking. Mention that you're a student exploring career options and would appreciate a brief conversation about their experiences.
Make it easy for them
Suggest a specific time frame (like 20-30 minutes) and offer flexibility about when and how to meet. You could suggest a coffee catch-up, a phone call, or even a video chat – whatever works best for them.
Show you've done your homework
Demonstrate that you've already done some basic research. Instead of saying "tell me about marketing," try "I've been reading about digital marketing and I'm curious about how the day-to-day work differs from what I see in university course descriptions."
Subject: Student seeking career advice - Marketing Professional
Dear [Name],
I hope this email finds you well. I'm a Year 12 student at [School] currently exploring career options, and I'm particularly interested in marketing. [Mention how you found them - through LinkedIn, a mutual connection, etc.]
I've been researching the field and reading about different specialisations within marketing, but I'd love to hear about the reality of working in this industry from someone with first-hand experience.
Would you be willing to spare 20-30 minutes for a brief conversation about your career path and what working in marketing is really like? I'm happy to work around your schedule and can meet in person, by phone, or via video call – whatever is most convenient for you.
Thank you for considering my request. I really appreciate your time.
Best regards,[Your name][Your contact details]
Preparing for your career conversation
Preparation is absolutely key to making the most of your time together, and the good news is that most of the prep work is quite straightforward.
Do a bit of research
The first thing you'll want to do is learn some fundamental information about the field beforehand.
This doesn't mean becoming an expert overnight, but reading a few articles, checking out job descriptions, and familiarising yourself with common terminology shows respect for their time and allows you to ask more insightful questions. Instead of asking what marketing is, you can ask about the difference between digital marketing roles and traditional marketing positions.
Prepare some questions in advance
Write down around five to eight questions that reflect what you genuinely want to know, keeping in mind what stage of exploration you're at.
If you're just starting to explore, focus on understanding what the work is really like day-to-day. If you're further along in your research, you might want to ask about specific qualifications or next steps.
You don't need to stick rigidly to your list – the best conversations often flow naturally and take unexpected but valuable directions.
Need some help coming up with questions? We have some you might like to use below.
Be organised
Don't forget the practical side of preparation either!
Confirm the time and location the day before your meeting, and make sure you know exactly where you're going and how long it will take to get there. Plan to arrive a few minutes early, and think about what you'll wear based on the setting. If you're meeting at their workplace, err on the side of being slightly more formal than you might normally dress.
Write things down
Finally, bring a notebook and pen with you. Taking notes shows you're serious about the conversation and helps you remember important details later.
You don't need to write down absolutely everything, but jotting down key insights, specific advice, or contact details will be incredibly useful when you're reflecting on the conversation afterwards.
Essential questions to ask
The best questions are open-ended and encourage storytelling. Here are some proven conversation starters organised by exploration stage:
For early exploration
Can you walk me through what a typical day or week looks like in your role?
What do you enjoy most about your work? What's most challenging?
How did you end up in this career? Was it always your plan?
What skills or qualities are most important for success in this field?
What would someone be surprised to learn about your profession?
For deeper understanding
What are the different pathways into this career?
How has the industry changed since you started working in it?
What advice would you give to someone just starting to consider this field?
Are there related careers I should also be exploring?
What are the biggest misconceptions people have about this work?
For focused planning
Which qualifications or courses would you recommend?
What should I be doing now to prepare for this career?
Are there particular companies or organisations you'd recommend researching?
What professional bodies or resources should I know about?
What trends do you see affecting the future of this industry?
Practical questions
What's the work-life balance like in this field?
How do career progression and salary expectations typically work?
What are the main challenges facing professionals in this industry right now?
If you were starting over today, what would you do differently?
Making the most of your conversation
You've got them to give you some of their valuable time, so ensure you make the most of the conversation. There are four key things to remember here:
Listen actively - Focus on what they're saying rather than just waiting for your turn to ask the next question. Ask follow-up questions based on their responses – this shows genuine interest and often leads to the most valuable insights.
Be genuine - Don't pretend to be someone you're not. If you're nervous, it's okay to mention it – most people will appreciate your honesty and may even share their own experiences of career uncertainty.
Respect their time - Stick to the agreed timeframe unless they indicate they're happy to continue. Watch for signs that they need to wrap up and be prepared to conclude gracefully.
Show appreciation - Thank them genuinely for their time and insights. Let them know specifically what you found most helpful about the conversation.
Following up after your conversation
What you do after your conversation can be just as important as the conversation itself. A thoughtful follow-up can turn a single conversation into an ongoing connection:
Send a thank-you message within 24-48 hours, send a brief email thanking them for their time. Mention one or two specific things you learned that were particularly valuable.
Update them on your progress, and if you make decisions based partly on your conversation with them, let them know. People appreciate hearing how their advice influenced your choices.
Connect on LinkedIn if appropriate; send a LinkedIn connection request with a personalised message referencing your conversation.
Offer to help if there's ever an opportunity - perhaps with a student survey, a small research project, or by volunteering for their organisation.
Overcoming common concerns
If you're feeling hesitant about reaching out to professionals, you're definitely not alone. Many students worry that they're too young or inexperienced to have valuable conversations with working professionals.
But the reality is quite the opposite – most professionals remember being in your shoes and are often eager to help. Your youth and genuine curiosity are actually advantages. People want to support the next generation, and many professionals view these conversations as a way of giving back to their communities.
Another common concern is not wanting to bother anyone with your questions. Remember that the worst someone can say is no, and you'd be surprised how often people say yes.
Many professionals are flattered when someone shows genuine interest in their career and are happy to share their experiences. If someone can't meet with you, it's usually because of timing or other commitments, not because they don't want to help.
Making career conversations a habit
Rather than thinking of career conversations as a one-off activity, consider making them an ongoing part of how you explore your options. Each conversation adds another piece to your career puzzle and helps you build a clearer, more nuanced picture of what different paths might involve.
You might discover that speaking with three different engineers gives you vastly different perspectives on the field, or that a casual chat with someone working in social services opens your eyes to career paths you'd never previously considered.
The more conversations you have, the more confident you'll become in asking questions, engaging with professionals, and ultimately making decisions about your future.
You'll also start to develop valuable networking skills and build connections that might prove useful throughout your career. These aren't just conversations about work – they're opportunities to practice professional communication, learn about different industries, and understand how various career paths unfold in real life.
Ready to explore more?