You can get scoop AND make a good impression, and maybe find your dream career. You’ve landed the informational interview. But what do you talk about once you’re actually face to face over coffee? While you won’t be able to ask all of these questions in an informational interview, the answers to these questions will give you insight into your mentor’s career path, the possibilities for your future, and the industry outlook.
WHAT WE DO
In Love Sunday Nights you can talk to other results-producers about their careers and read more articles like this about women in the workforce.
50 Ways to Find Your Way
Their Career Story
Was there a specific event that happened that made you interested in this field?
What was your first opportunity in this field?
Did you consider any other career paths before deciding on this one?
College/ Internships
Did you go to college? Why or why not?
Did your college experience affect your current career?
Did you have any internships in college?
Day in the Life
What does your average day look like?
Who do you depend on daily?
Who depends on you?
What kind of problems do you solve on a day-to-day basis?
The Ups and Downs
Why do you like doing what you do?
What is the most fun part of your role?
What are your biggest day-to-day challenges?
What are some of the projects you’ve been working on lately?
What aspect of your position surprised you when you started?
What are some unexpected skills that your position requires?
Do you have any advice for someone my age looking to do what you do?
Mentoring
Do you have any mentors that have helped shape your career?
Would you describe the mentoring relationship as formal or informal?
Career Ladder
What is a logical first job in the industry?
Are there skills you learned there that you still use?
If you could go back in time, is there anything you would do differently?
Do you mind my asking about the salary range of jobs in this field?
Would you say that our city has a lot of employment opportunities in this field? If so, what companies should be on my radar?
How can I get started gaining relevant experience?
What skills should I be honing now to prepare for this career path?
Are there any soft skills I should focus on?
What is an appropriate role for someone with my skillset?
What does that role generally consist of?
Hiring Tips
Have you been a part of the hiring process?
What are you looking for on resumes?
What are the biggest resume or LinkedIn red flags?
What’s the difference in what you’re looking for on a resume and what you look for during interviews?
Would you recommend any particular keywords to include on my resume or portfolio?
Is there specific work experience or are there portfolio pieces that translate well from my other work experience?
If I send you my resume, would you mind taking a quick look at it?
Company Scoop
What makes your company different from its competitors?
Can you give me a quick breakdown of what each department here does?
How would you describe the mission of your company?
Does your company generally hire from within?
Would you recommend I speak to anyone else here to learn about your organization?
Industry Scoop
How have challenges changed since you got started in this industry?
What are the biggest changes you’ve seen in this industry?
What are some of the long-term trends you expect from your industry?
What big industry changes do you expect in the next few years?
What advice do you have for me navigating into this industry?
Can you recommend three people, like you, who are well-connected and can help me on my career journey?
Follow-up Asks
Is it okay if we stay in touch?
Can I add you to my LinkedIn network?
Are there any questions I haven’t asked that I should?