Virtual Career Center

Job Search Strategy: Networking Examples

Sample informational interview questions

We offer the following questions as first suggestions for a career-focused informational interview. Reflect on the information you're really looking for, to prepare the best question list and maximize the brief time you'll be spending with your contacts.

About a specific career ...

• How long have you been working in this field, and how did you get started?
• How did your education prepare you for this work? What other preparation (work/life experience) did you need to enter this field?
• What is a typical day like for you?
• What do you enjoy most about your work/job? What are some of the frustrations?
• How has this career/work/industry changed since you first entered this field? What changes do you anticipate in the next few years?
• From what you have seen in your work/industry, what do you believe the employment outlook is like? Are there some segments of this work/industry that are thriving more than others? What challenges are currently facing job seekers in this market? Do you know if there are too many or too few people entering this field?
• What educational degree, license or other credentials are required for entry and advancement in this occupation?
• What do you see as essential skills and personal characteristics needed to succeed in a position like yours?
• How do you stay up-to-date in your field? How do you stay enthusiastic about your work?
• What are your (long-range) career goals?
• What would be the criteria you would look for in hiring someone for an entry-level/mid-level/experienced-level position in your occupation?

About your job search ...

• I am looking for a job in ____________________. Seeing my skills and experience as indicated on my resume, realistically how long will this job search take?
• What are the biggest challenges career changers face when entering this field/industry? From your experience, how would you suggest someone prepare to meet those challenges?
• Do I appear to have the necessary skills and knowledge or should I be looking for a different way into this kind of position?
• What might be some other job titles for what I want to do?
• What kind of questions should I expect in an interview for this kind of position?
• If you were doing my job search, what companies or organizations would you target? Why?
• Do you know of any employment agencies or search firms that seem to specialize in my occupation? Which one(s) would you suggest I contact?
• Are there any professional organizations I should join now? How do I get in touch with them?
• What would be a realistic salary range?
• How do people usually learn of job openings in this occupation?

About a particular company ...

• I have/will be applied/applying for a position in your organization. What is it like to work there?
• Where do you see the organization heading in the next few years?
• How would you describe the company personality/corporate culture?
• What can you tell me about the advertised position? Why is it open? What is the management style of the supervisor?
• What are the biggest issues the company and department of the advertised position are facing?

Finishing the informational interview ...

• Is there anything else you believe it is important for me to know about this field/industry/organization?
• Do you have any suggestions for improving my resume?
• Would you be willing to give me 1 or 2 names and phone numbers of persons in this occupation so I could talk with them like I'm talking to you? May I use your name as a reference?
• May I have your business card?
• And, don't forget to say thank you, thank you, thank you in person, on the phone or in a written note or e-mail.

How else can the Alumni Career Center help you develop a networking strategy and identify potential networking contacts?

• Career Advising - Build a personalized networking strategy; get feedback on your sound bite and process the information you've collected. Career advising is a feature of the Alumni Career Center's Comprehensive Service Package, available for an annual fee of $160 to Alumni Association members. An option to meet one time for one hour with a career adviser for a $40 fee is also available to Alumni Association members.
  
  
• Professional Development Workshops - Network with fellow alumni and participate in career management seminars and events. Fees for individual workshops are $25; attendance at up to three workshops is included in the Self-Directed Service Package , and all workshops are offered at no additional charge as a feature of the Alumni Career Center's Comprehensive Service Package. See the calendar at www.uiaa.org/calendar for details.
  
  

Can't find the resources you are looking for? Have questions about the Alumni Career Center services? University of Illinois alumni can ask our career experts for help with job searching and career questions.