15 Questions to Ask during Informational Interviews

by Judy Kaplan Baron, Ph.D.

 

1. Tell me about your career path and how you got to this position.

2. Tell me about your job. What do you do on a daily basis?  (If every day is different, ask - What did you do yesterday?

3. What do you like best and least about your work?

4. Tell me about the structure of this organization.  What are the different departments?

5. What kind of problems do you face on a day-to-day basis?

6. What’s it like to work for this particular company?

7. What does the future look in this field?

8. What’s a typical career path in this business?  What’s a typical entry-level title?  Can you describe a career ladder, i.e. after the entry-level position, what advancement opportunities might be available?

9. What makes someone really successful in this field?

10. What advice would you give to someone seriously considering entering this field?

11. Where’s the best place to get educated to enter this field?

12.  What do you know now about this field that you wished you had known when you started?

13. What salary do people make when they first start out?  How about after 3-5 years?  Where do most people’s salaries level off?  What do the best people in the field make?

14.  What professional organizations/ associations do you belong to?

15.   Who else do you know that I might talk to that could give me a different perspective or insight into another work environment for this field?

Judy Kaplan Baron, Ph.D. is a Master Career Counselor in private practice in San Diego, CA.  You can reach her at 858 558-7400.