Explore different career fields, industries, and organizations online. Our list of 300+ Careers in Psychology, Google, the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, and LinkedIn are your new best friends!

Tap into your connections - friends, family, professors, even that former employer from your past summer job. They might lead you to the right people. Also, alumni are often eager to help students attending their alma mater. Look up your university on LinkedIn and click on "Alumni" to locate current professionals you can reach out to for some serious networking.

Craft a cool intro about yourself and why you're eager to meet. Prepare some intriguing open-ended questions. Here are five engaging questions to ask during an informational interview:

1. "What inspired you to pursue a career in [their field] and what do you find most fulfilling about your work?"

2. "Can you share any valuable insights or advice that you wish you knew when starting your career in [their industry]?"

3. "How has your professional journey evolved over time, and what steps did you take to reach your current position?"

4. "What are the key skills or experiences that you believe are essential for success in this industry?"

5. "Could you tell me about any current trends or challenges in [their field], and how do you think they might impact future opportunities?"

Remember, these questions are meant to spark meaningful conversations and gain valuable insights from the interviewee's experiences and expertise. Be attentive and open-minded to their responses, and feel free to ask follow-up questions based on their answers. See this list of potential informational interview questions created by UC Berkeley's Career Engagement for more options. Happy informational interviewing!

Reach out to your potential interviewee via email or LinkedIn. Mention how you found them and make it clear that you're looking for information, not a job. Most professionals agree to these interviews to see if you have a genuine curiosity about the industry, company, and role. 

Dress the part, be punctual, and bring your list of questions - it's showtime! Emphasize that you're here to gather knowledge and advice, not looking for a job. Give them a brief elevator talk about your educational and work background. You will be directing the interview by asking questions; however, you want to let the conversation flow naturally. Remember, the person you are interviewing is the star and should be doing the majority of the talking. Finally, respect their time - no marathon interviews! You want to stick to an interview time of around 20 minutes or less. Also, take notes and write down what you want to remember after the interview. Things such as, what you learned, what questions you still have, and how this information will factor into your future career plans.

Follow up like a pro! Send a thank-you note within 1-2 days - you can choose email, a handwritten note, or a fancy business letter, depending on how formal you want to be. See this sample email thank you note created by UC Berkely. Keep the conversation going if you had a fantastic interaction - who knows, this person might become an important part of your network!