“An informational interview is conducted by you, at a workplace. This is different from a job interview because in an informational interview you ask the questions. There may or may not be employment opportunities available. It gives you the opportunity to speak to someone in an industry that interests you. This person does not need to be a supervisor. The aim is to find out whether you are interested in making your career in that industry. It is also a chance for you, as a future jobseeker, to learn about an industry or specific company, its workplace culture and to get advice on your career from someone who has walked a similar professional path in order to help you decide if this might be the right fit. It helps you find employment leads and expand your professional network.”

 These questions aim to get you started thinking about informational interviews. You will learn a lot more about this type of interview later in the activity.

a. Who is the interviewer in an informational interview?

b. What does the interviewer get from it?

c. Who is the interviewee in an informational interview?

d. What does the interviewee get from it?