Informational Interview

(Educator Guide)

Approximate amount of time

Approximate audience size

Informational Interview

Individual or a small group of students conduct an interview of an industry professional about the profession or a specific topic related to the profession

These visits can be done in-person or through a virtual platform under the direct supervision of a teacher or approved school staff member (if students are underage).

Recommend completing this activity prior to students visits to a worksite to better understand the workplace practices and norms

Informational Interview Goals

Encourage students to learn more about a career within a specific pathway or a specific organization prior to a Preparation or Training level work-based learning experience

Provide students the opportunity to practice and improve their professional communication and networking skills

Provide the opportunity for students to gather information and expectations of a professional workplace

(examples: dress code, workplace culture, expectations, etc.)

Encourage students to ask questions and learn more about getting hired and advancing in careers

Provide opportunities for students to learn more about a career within a specific pathway by asking questions to an industry expert

Reinforce employability skills by allowing students to communicate effectively with an industry professional

Preparing students for an Informational Interview

Identify learning objectives for the informational interview
Assist students in developing informational interview questions
Share career-related and company related information with students
Coordinate with industry/community partner. Provide them with a preview of the questions students may ask so pertinent information and/or resources can be prepared prior to the interview
Coordinate logistics with industry/community member(s)

Following-Up after an Informational Interview

Gather additional student questions for follow-up (if applicable)
Debrief with stakeholders and prepare students for upcoming work-based learning opportunities (if applicable)
Assist students in developing an action plan to prepare for upcoming work-based learning opportunities along the WBL Continuum (if applicable)

Examples of Informational Interviews

Coming Soon

Typically one-time experiences at school or through a huakaʻi or field trip to build student awareness of the wide range of career, college, and community options available to them

Awareness Experiences

Exploration activities go beyond brief exposure of awareness-building experiences by extending the experience through multiple interactions or more rigorous student participation

Exploration Experiences

Preparation level experiences strengthen student content knowledge and skills through coursework linked to extended interaction with community and industry professionals

Preparation Experiences

Training experiences are extended interactions that require the application of the learned technical, employability, and academic knowledge in real-world industry settings

Training
Experiences