69 Questions To Ask In An Informational Interview

Informational interviews are a great way to learn about a specific industry, role, or company without the pressure of a job interview. These meetings provide a unique opportunity to ask insightful questions, build professional relationships, and gain valuable insights into your career path. When you’re unsure of what to ask, this blog post will give you plenty of ideas on 69 questions to ask in an Informational Interview. They are grouped into helpful categories.

Questions About Their Career Path

In this section, the goal is to understand how they reached their current position. These questions will help you explore their journey, which can provide you with useful guidance for your own career.

1. What steps did you take to get where you are today?
2. How did you decide to pursue this career?
3. What challenges did you face early in your career?
4. What skills were most helpful to you starting out?
5. What experiences helped shape your professional development?
6. Were there any pivotal moments in your career?
7. How did you choose the companies you worked for?
8. Did you always know you wanted to be in this industry?
9. What advice would you give someone starting out?

Context: Understanding someone’s career path can show you possible steps to take. You can learn about the skills they built, the challenges they faced, and the strategies they used to advance. These answers can provide you with a roadmap, showing what has worked for someone else and helping you plan your next steps.

Questions About Their Current Role And Responsibilities

These questions help you learn about the specific day-to-day tasks, responsibilities, and challenges in the role you’re interested in.

10. What does a typical day look like for you?
11. What are your main responsibilities in this position?
12. How can you prioritize your tasks?
13. What are the most challenging aspects of your job?
14. What is the most rewarding part of your role?
15. How can you collaborate with other teams?
16. How can you measure success in your role?
17. What skills are essential to perform your job well?
18. How does your role contribute to the overall goals of the company?

Context: Asking about their current role helps you understand what the job truly involves on a daily basis. This gives you a clearer picture of whether it aligns with your interests and skills. Knowing what to expect can also help you prepare if you’re aiming for a similar position.

Questions About The Company Culture

Learning about the work environment can help you figure out if the company is a good fit for you. Company culture affects your experience at work, so these questions are important to ask.

19. How would you describe the company culture?
20. What is the work-life balance like here?
21. How does the company support employee development?
22. How does leadership communicate with the team?
23. What makes this company a great place to work?
24. How are decisions typically made in the company?
25. How does the company support innovation?
26. How are conflicts resolved in the workplace?
27. What kind of people tend to succeed here?

Context: The culture of a company can significantly impact your work experience. Asking these questions helps you determine if the company’s values, work style, and environment align with your preferences. It also gives insight into how leadership treats employees and fosters growth.

Questions About Industry Trends And Insights

Understanding the larger context of the industry can help you stay informed and ahead of changes. These questions will give you a big-picture view of where the industry is heading.

28. What are the biggest trends in the industry right now?
29. How has the industry changed over the past few years?
30. What do you see as the future challenges for the industry?
31. How can you stay updated on industry developments?
32. What skills will be most valuable in the next 5 years?
33. How does technology impact your industry?
34. What are the biggest opportunities in the industry right now?
35. How is the industry adapting to regulatory changes?
36. What advice would you give to someone entering the industry today?

Context: Staying informed about industry trends helps you prepare for the future and identify areas of growth. Knowing where the industry is heading allows you to make informed career decisions and develop skills that will be in demand.

Questions About Work-Life Balance And Personal Growth

Understanding how professionals manage their work-life balance and grow personally within their careers can provide valuable insights into achieving balance and avoiding burnout.

37. How can you maintain a healthy work-life balance?
38. What strategies do you use to manage stress at work?
39. How can you continue to grow and learn in your career?
40. How has your job impacted your personal life?
41. What do you do to stay motivated in your role?
42. How can you balance short-term tasks with long-term career goals?
43. What resources have helped you grow professionally?
44. How can you avoid burnout in your career?
45. What role does personal development play in your career success?

Context: Asking about work-life balance and personal growth gives insight into the challenges of maintaining balance in demanding jobs. This helps you prepare for balancing your personal life with professional ambitions while also focusing on continual learning and self-improvement.

Questions About Networking And Professional Relationships

Building professional relationships is key to success in any career. These questions focus on how to grow your network and foster valuable professional connections.

46. How did you build your professional network?
47. How can you maintain strong relationships with colleagues?
48. What role has networking played in your career growth?
49. How can you approach making new professional connections?
50. How can you collaborate with people outside your immediate team?
51. How has mentorship shaped your career?
52. How can you stay connected with your industry peers?
53. How important is networking in your industry?
54. What advice would you give about building professional relationships?

Context: Networking plays a major role in career advancement. Asking these questions gives you insights into how to build a strong network, create meaningful relationships, and use these connections for career growth and support.

Questions About Job Search And Career Transitions

These questions focus on the job search process and how to successfully transition between roles or industries.

55. How did you approach your last job search?
56. What was the biggest challenge in changing roles or industries?
57. How can you stay competitive during the job search process?
58. How can you prepare for job interviews?
59. What tips would you give for standing out in a job application?
60. How did you navigate your most recent career transition?
61. How can you know when it’s time to move on from a job?
62. What advice would you give to someone changing careers?
63. What are the biggest mistakes to avoid during a job search?
64. How did you tailor your resume for different roles?
65. What resources did you use to find job opportunities?
66. How did you overcome obstacles during your career change?
67. What are the most important factors to consider when switching industries?
68. How can you evaluate whether a new role is the right fit?
69. What advice would you give for negotiating job offers?

Context: Understanding how others have navigated career transitions helps you learn strategies for your own job search or career change. Their experiences provide practical tips for standing out and making successful transitions in your career.

Conclusion

Informational interviews are a powerful tool for learning more about a career, building relationships, and making informed decisions. By asking thoughtful and well-structured questions, you can gain insights that will help guide your career path and prepare you for future opportunities. Be sure to take notes, follow up with a thank-you note, and continue building the connection after your meeting.