Informational interviewing is the process of talking with others to gather information. It is a job search strategy that supplements and enhances your basic research by providing first-hand information on a preferred job, industry or organizational culture. It is appropriate to take resumes to an informational interview, and it is equally appropriate to take notes.

Among the questions that you might ask during an informational interview are:

From what aspects of your job do you derive the most satisfaction?

What competencies are necessary in your job (writing, presentation, qualitative, quantitative)? Is there a typical career path?

What percentage of your time, on a daily basis, do you spend (researching, teaching, providing direct services, writing, reading, managing others, conducting/attending meetings, etc)? How many hours do you work?

What skill sets/competencies lead to success in this environment?

What do you like/dislike about your job?

Is teamwork valued in this environment?

If you had to do it all over what, if anything, would you do differently in terms of your education and your career choice(s)?

Were there courses you took while in graduate school or on-the-job that you found particularly helpful?

What do you want to do next? In 5 years? 10 years?

What, if anything, would you change about this organization if you could?

Given my background and my career goals, is there additional advice you can offer me?

Are there other individuals in this or other organizations with whom you suggest I speak?

Do you see any major weaknesses in my background? If so, do you have suggestions for overcoming them?

At the end of the meeting, if you remain interested in pursuing opportunities with the organization, ask to whom you should submit a cover letter and resume. The person with whom you are meeting will, at best, volunteer to circulate your resume and, at worst, simply give you the contact information for the individual to whom your documents should be submitted.