{"id":5566,"date":"2022-11-08T22:50:23","date_gmt":"2022-11-08T22:50:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.pugetsound.edu\/cesblogs\/?p=5566"},"modified":"2022-11-14T18:41:06","modified_gmt":"2022-11-14T18:41:06","slug":"info-interviews-what-and-why","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.pugetsound.edu\/cesblogs\/2022\/11\/08\/info-interviews-what-and-why\/","title":{"rendered":"The What and Why of Informational Interviews"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Zoe Brinner \u201923<\/a>
CES Peer Advisor<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wondering about informational interviews? Here’s a quick overview for you…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

An informational interview is a chance for you to learn more about a job or industry that you are interested in by speaking with a professional in the field. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike an interview that you might have while applying for a job, in this interview you<\/em> are in control of what questions you ask and who you talk to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your focus might be career-development-oriented \u2014 asking what steps your interviewee took to land their job, what roles they held previously, or what values their organization prioritizes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or your focus might be lifestyle-oriented \u2014 if you\u2019re wondering how many hours per week someone in your interviewee\u2019s role works, if they bring their work home with them, or what their stress level is like. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can mix and match as many types of questions as you want as long as you\u2019re learning something new. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you hear about the day-to-day of a job or an employee\u2019s experience at an organization, you\u2019ll gain a sense of whether or not it resonates with you.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Why conduct them?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you\u2019re unsure of what\u2019s next for you, or you know exactly what you want, informational interviews will help you gain confidence and prepare for the future. In this unique setting, you get to ask questions of real people about their experiences, and gain information about jobs, organizations, or industries that might not be readily available online. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you hear about the day-to-day of a job or an employee\u2019s experience at an organization, you\u2019ll gain a sense of whether or not it resonates with you. And voila! You know a little more about what you do and don\u2019t want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It might not be that easy to figure out what you want to pursue. But finding out what you’re not interested in<\/strong> is just as important! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And if your conversation confirms an interest, you\u2019ll likely emerge from the interview with new resources, a better understanding of how to pursue your goal, and confidence in your pursuit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not only can you learn a lot from an informational interview, you\u2019ll also grow your network. This one-time conversation could become an ongoing connection that will aid you on your career journey. Maybe your interviewee will invite you to shadow them on-the-job. Maybe they\u2019ll offer to let you know about opportunities at their organization. Maybe this person will become your mentor. The potential benefits are abundant!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still have questions about the what and why of informational interviews? Reach out to Career and Employment Services<\/a>. We\u2019re happy to talk it through with you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Image by Savannah Gossard \u201924<\/a>
\u00a9 2022 Career and Employment Services<\/a>, University of Puget Sound<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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