How to explore a career through an informational interview

Step 1

Identify one or more adults who might be able to provide you with useful information. Write down the person's contact information.

• Your parents and friends may know people in a field that interests you.
• The Career Exploration Program staff at school has contacts in many fields.
• Your teachers, counselors, coaches and other adults you know may also have good contacts.

Step 2

Contact the person you would like to interview to set up a mutually convenient time and place to talk.

Step 3

Prepare questions to ask in the interview. See the List of Suggested Questions. You may want to practice an interview with someone you know well so that you will be comfortable with the process.

Step 4

Observe good general interview practices:

• Be prompt. Be pleasant and polite. Shake the person's hand and look them in the eye. Speak clearly and choose your words carefully. Be a good listener. You may want to take notes. thank the person at the end of the interview.
• Send a thank-you note after the interview. It can be fairly short and you can use email to do this, but you should express appreciation for the time the person gave you and mention something you learned or gained from the interview.

This technique takes some effort but is definitely worth it. If you think it will be difficult for you (and it is for most people), ask for help from school staff, a parent or a friend.