Different from a job interview, an informational interview is a conversation you arrange with someone who works in a field or company that interests you. The goal is to gain first-hand insight about an industry, organization, or specific occupational area. Informational interview questions focus on topics such as how to break into an industry, what a career in that field or organization is really like, and whether it fits your qualifications and interests. Because you are not seeking a job offer, think of informational interviewing as a way to gather information and to prescreen a potential career, industry, or company.

Based on DeVry’s Informational Interview Guide.pdf (Links to an external site.) or another scholarly source, learn about the purpose of conducting an informational interview. Gather information to contribute to our discussion about the process and benefits of conducting an informational interview.

Describe and explain what the value of an informational interview is for you and support your viewpoint with a direct quote from DeVry’s Informational Interview Guide or another scholarly source. Cite your sources in APA format.

Looking ahead:  You will be conducting an Informational Interview for your assignment that is due in Week 8. Now is the time to get started! Compile a list of professionals in your target career field who have a minimum of 2-3 years in that position. Identify people who are working at a company similar to one in which you are interested. Prepare a list of 10 potential questions to learn more about the career and what it’s like to work in that occupation. Plan for a 20-30 minute Informational Interview. Reach out and arrange a day and time to conduct your informational interview and be sure to confirm. This can be an in-person interview, Skype/Zoom/WebEx, or phone interview—whatever works best for both of you. Don’t wait until Week 8 to work on this assignment!