How to Do an Informational Interview and Why

To prepare yourself for the career in business you want, you need to talk to people who are knowledgeable about that career area. 

And the best way to get them to share that knowledge is through an informational interview.

An “informational interview,” or informal meeting with a business professional, is a key step in networking and developing a career plan.  Fortunately, most successful business people enjoy talking about how they got to where they are today.

What you learn from informational interviews can help you:

• Determine which MBA programs are best for you
• Get information and advice on possible career paths
• Gain access to professionals who may not be hiring but may be happy to share experiences and advice with you as you move through the MBA admissions process

Who to Interview

Your peers who are already in business schools are great sources of information in helping you select the right program. You may also try existing networks related to a particular school, such as alumni, faculty, and campus recruiters (career management offices usually publish a list of companies). Some of these resources can be difficult to access until you are accepted to a school, but admissions offices usually can arrange outreach programs on a limited basis.

Other places to look:

• Check out the background of faculty members at prospective business schools to determine whose research interests match your career interests.
• Find alumni through published school directories. Directories by company and location help if you have a long-term geographic target. Call a few alumni from last year’s class and network with the upcoming graduating class.
• Talk to campus recruiters about the personalities and strengths of graduates from various programs. Find out if they look for a certain field of study, particular programs within a school, and particular courses from school to school. Be considerate of a recruiter’s time. Remember that they can receive hundreds of emails and calls per day as application deadlines get closer.

An informational interview allows you to ask questions about a professional’s job responsibilities, industry, and experience. Their answers can help you determine your compatibility with a career direction and decide whether an MBA degree is the next logical step for you.

You should conduct informational interviews only if your goals are to:

• Learn more about a potential career path before committing to it
• Decide if an MBA is essential, or at least helpful, in pursuing that path
• Learn whether there are ways to enter your chosen field without an MBA
• Learn about the expectations and preferences of employers in a particular industry 
• Determine what type of work experience or MBA internship seems important 
• Identify gaps in your background, experience, or training that could prevent you from achieving your goals
• Fine-tune your career plans and related school objectives

Informational interviews are not job interviews. Before entering business school, you are not under any pressure to sell yourself.  But keep in mind that any industry contacts you make could be useful later on.

Before your interview:

• When making appointments, tell your contacts how you got their names and why you hope they will talk to you.
• Send a résumé in advance, so your contact knows something about your background.
• Confirm the meeting time and promise not to take more than 30 minutes.

During your interview:

• Do NOT ask for a job during your meeting.
• Listen carefully. Don’t argue with the answers you hear.
• When asking for additional contact names, do not push if the person declines to provide any.
• Don’t overextend your welcome—if you asked for 30 minutes, don’t take any longer unless the other person invites you to stay.

After your interview:

• Send a thank-you note after your interview is over.
• Keep the person posted on your progress, such as after you talk to one of his or her contacts, after you make the decision about where to submit MBA applications, and after you receive admission offers.
• As soon as you matriculate, send an announcement to your current network, telling them of your decision and your new address. Include in that communication the course of study you are planning and the type of internship you hope to obtain.

Download suggested Informational Interview Questions.