How to Approach an Informational Interview

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Excellent article. I would add: Ask for 30 minutes and at that time, start closing your notepad and honoring the commitment. You will often be asked to continue and that's great but it's at their request and you will not be resented later in the day when their workload keeps them at work longer than usual. That said, never more than an hour. That is imperative and if you are wondering why, just contact me and I can tell you the bad news.
As for follow-up, yes, send the thank you but then send another thank you when you meet with referrals they give you. You did get referrals didn't you?

Rita Carey of NY 9:53AM April 11, 2012

Very helpful and useful.

ms.m. jones of TN 9:19AM January 11, 2012

It would be Great to have an article on Informational Interviewing that contains a structured form that can be downloaded or is part of the article.
Providing Specific Questions that are helpful to ask for most fields of interest, would certainly be helpful
for an all ready nervous, but sincerely curious person that is interested to know more!
Tips for the potential interviewer: Visit your local community college's Career Center...visit more than one if you need to, and ask if they have some useful copies of a form similar to the one I mentioned, and other pertinent information...like a recomendation for a useful book...check it out, to make the Best impression during an Informational Interview. Visit your local library and Career One Stops...the better the information you have, the better the Informational Interview will go!!!
Also, if you are a recent grad from a four year university, and never really used the services of your university's Career Center, and are seeking to use your degree in another compatable field, or if you have a creative "hunch" and need a good Informational Interview...pay them a visit, too!
Good Luck, Think Positive, and PLAN YOUR WORK AND WORK YOUR PLAN!! And, something Really Important to remember: Just about Everyone has been in your position at some time during their life,
so the Smart People remember that during an Informational Interview. If you find you are sitting across from someone pompous and rude...make a note to yourself: One day You will be asked to help someone out and give an Informational Interview...yes You! So, choose to be pleasant, helpful and really Listen!! If you've encoutered a rude person, just move on and forget him/her!
Their poor behavior had Nothing to do with you! Plus, remember: Everybody loves to talk about themselves...their own particular history that finds them where they are today! I think you will find, that the most successful people are polite, make good eye contact and are happy to help! Really listen and learn about other's Attributes...a Good Attitude and Sincerity, goes a Long Way and are connected to true Success, Personally and Professionally!!
Get that form with a list of great questions, re-write it on your computer, and leave space Large enough for you to write in what you learned, after each question. So what if it's a few pages! The person you are interviewing will appreciate how well you thought things out before your meeting together.
It's called Mutual Respect...for you and the other person.
Lastly, keep a file or notebook for your finished forms, so you can refer back to them, when needed, and they will be waiting for your review, Organized for Your future use!!!
Continued Success!!!!!

Surrah De Almeida, LMFT of CA 11:35PM January 10, 2012

Anna, if you're talking with a nonprofit, you can definitely ask about volunteer opportunities!
And I hear you on the mechanics around paying! I'd just meet them up at the counter and say, "Let me get this" or something like that!

Alison Green of DC 2:49PM December 15, 2011

Great great article on informational interviews.
As a recent Master's graduate I find myself reaching out for this type of interview for the exact same reason: To get insights into a field of work I'm interested in.
Some aspects of the interview I still feel somewhat insecure about. Is it okay, for instance, to ask about volunteer opportunities at the organization you're 'interviewing' with? Also, I've been meeting people at coffee shops and always make sure to get there before they arrive. Of course, I know that they are doing me a favor by meeting up with me and I would love to pay for their coffee/tea. At the same time, I think it's slightly awkward if you see them walk in and instantly rush to the counter so you can buy them the coffee. What's a good way to go about this?

Anna of OR 1:16AM December 15, 2011