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Once you’ve determined careers you want to explore, you’ll need to locate professionals working in those fields. Start with people you already know including family, friends, and professors. Remember your friend’s uncle who works in human resources for your favorite video game company? Or your high school chemistry teacher who helped you discover your love of science? These are the perfect people to reach out to for more information on careers in those fields.

After you’ve established who your existing contacts are, you’ll need to identify the gap areas in your network. What kinds of individuals could help you learn more about the careers you’re interested in? The resources below are great places to find professionals to interview:

Informational interviews can take place in person, online, or over the phone. When reaching out, it’s important to make it clear that you are asking for information, not a job.

Sample Invitation:

When someone agrees to meet with you for an informational interview, it’s important that you prepare questions in advance.

Sample Questions:

• How did you get into this field?
• What is a typical day like at your job?
• What do you like about your job?
• What do you dislike about your job?
• What skills do you need to be successful in this industry?
• What current issues and trends in the field should I be aware of?
• What are some common career paths in this field?
• How do most people get into this field?
  • What are common entry-level jobs?
• What steps would you recommend I take to prepare to enter this field?
• What are the most effective strategies for seeking a position in this field?
• Can you suggest anyone else I could contact for additional information?

Though an informational interview is more of a conversation than a traditional job interview, you will want to make a good impression.

Recommendations:

• Dress neatly and appropriately.
• Arrive on time.
• Have a notepad available to write down important information you learn.
• Begin the meeting by thanking them for their time.
• Restate that your objective is to get information and advice, not a job.
• Respect the person’s time by limiting your questions to the agreed-upon timeframe for the meeting.

Following the meeting, send a thank you email within 24-48 hours.

Sample Thank-You Email:

If you haven’t already, be sure to connect on and/or ºÚÁÏÍø's Beach Nexus network with the person you interviewed. You can stay in touch by sending an occasional message to inform them of major life or career updates, such as graduating from ºÚÁÏÍø or applying for a job with their company.