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Home > Career Resources > Students > Networking > MentorLink > 40 Questions to Ask in an Informational Interview
Most job hunters, realizing that networking is critical to their search, work hard to arrange face-to-face meetings with contacts. But setting up appointments with all the friends, professional acquaintances and corporate bigwigs you can is just the first step. More important is knowing what to say once you arrive. Since wasting contacts' time is unacceptable, you should prepare an agenda before each meeting. Decide what you would like to find out from your contact, then prepare questions to elicit that information.
To simplify the query-writing process, review the following list of questions. Pick those that are most appropriate, then tailor them to fit your personal situation and speaking style. Formulate some of your own as well, but don't try to squeeze in too many questions. It's better to leave contacts wanting more than to wear out your welcome.
Keep in mind that you can use information that you know about the company or industry within your question. This shows your knowledge base and seriousness. An example of how to make question #7 more relevant: “As an accountant at a medium-sized local firm, I’d imagine that your busiest seasons revolve around your clients’ fiscal year ends, which can vary. What would you say would be the most demanding times of the year for your firm’s accountants?”
An example of how to make #11 more relevant: “I’ve noticed that the state and federal governments have devoted a great deal of funding to the biotech industry in Western New York. As a salesperson for Life Technologies, what kind of effects have you seen from this extra funding, and how do you anticipate the industry and your company expanding due to this revenue?”
An example of how to make # 19 more relevant: “From the alumni database, I see that you graduated from the MBA program just four years ago and you are already a vice president at the bank. That’s impressive. Please share with me the typical path from entry level to a VP position in the banking environment, and what people can do to move fast within that process.”
An example of how to make #25 more relevant: “I read through some of the job descriptions on the HR section of your Web site in preparation for our meeting today. Most jobs I’d be interested in listed communication, teamwork and decision making skills as necessities. Can you tell me how those skills are used in this profession? Also, what other skills do managers look for that are not written in the typical job descriptions?”
An internship-focused alternative to #36 might be: “Thinking about the most successful interns you have had, what was it about their character, work ethic, abilities, etc. that made them exemplary?”
Remember to express your appreciation and to follow up with a thank you letter or email. If you are referred to another professional for assistance, make sure you let the original contact know the result of your outreach to that new referral.
