Now that you’ve chosen a career to explore, it’s time to ask someone in your chosen field a few questions. You need find someone in your field and call that person. Ask them to set aside 30 minutes (or so) to conduct and informational interview. Set up a time and keep to the agreed upon time. Before your interview you need to be prepared. Below you will find questions to ask.

DIRECTIONS:

1. Pick at least 20 questions that you will ask the person your going to interview. You can also create your own questions.
2. Write the questions down on a separate piece of paper.
3. Leave room on the paper to record the answers to your questions.
4. Turn in your interview paper with answered questions to the instructor.
5. Be sure to include the person’s name , address, phone number, place of business, and career they are in one the paper.

SUGGESTED QUESTIONS:

1. What is your job like?
2. What is a typical day like?
3. What do you do? What are the duties/functions/responsibilities of your job?
4. What kinds of problems do you deal with?
5. What kinds of decisions do you make?
6. What percentage of your time is spent doing what?
7. How does the time use vary? Are there busy and slow times or is the work activity fairly constant?
8. How did this type of work interest you and how did you get started?
9. How did you get your job? What jobs and experiences have led you to your present position?
10. Can you suggest some ways a student could obtain this necessary experience?
11. What are the most important personal satisfactions and dissatisfactions connected with your occupation?
    1. What part of this job do you personally find most satisfying?
    2. Most challenging?
    3. What do you like and not like about working in this industry?
12. What things did you do before you entered this occupation?
13. Which have been most helpful?
14. What other jobs can you get with the same background?
15. What are the various jobs in this field or organization?
16. Why did you decide to work in this career?
17. What do you like most about this career?
18. Do you find your job exciting or boring? Why?
19. Are you optimistic about this career future and your future of this career?
20. What sorts of changes are occurring in your occupation?
21. How does a person progress in your field? What is a typical career path in this field or organization?
22. What is the best way to enter this occupation?
23. What are the advancement opportunities?
24. What are the major qualifications for success in this occupation?
25. What were the keys to your career advancement? How did you get where you are and what are your long-range goals?
26. What are the skills that are most important for a position in this field?
27. What particular skills or talents are most essential to be effective in your job?
28. How did you learn these skills? Did you enter this position through a formal training program? How can I evaluate whether or not I have the necessary skills for a position such as yours?
29. How would you describe the working atmosphere and the people with whom you work?
30. What is the average length of time for an employee to stay this career
31. Are there incentives or disincentives for staying in this career
32. Is there flexibility related to dress, work hours, vacation schedule, place of residence, etc.?
33. What work-related values are strongest in this type of work (security, high income, variety, independence)?
34. If your job progresses as you like, what would be the next step in your career?
35. If your work were suddenly eliminated, what kinds of work do you feel prepared to do?
36. With the information you have about my education, skills, and experience, what other fields or jobs would you suggest I research further before I make a final decision?
37. How is the economy affecting this industry?
38. What can you tell me about the employment outlook in your occupational field?
39. How much demand is there for people in this occupation? How rapidly is the field growing? Can you estimate future job openings?
40. Are there organizations you are expected to join?
41. Are there other things you are expected to do outside work hours?
42. How has your job affected your lifestyle?
43. What are the salary ranges for various levels in this field? Is there a salary ceiling?
44. What are the major rewards aside from extrinsic rewards such as money, fringe benefits, travel, etc.?
45. From your perspective, what are the problems you see working in this field?
46. What are the major frustrations of this job?
47. What interests you least about the job or creates the most stress?
48. If you could do things all over again, would you choose the same path for yourself? Why? What would you change?
49. What are the educational, requirements for this job? What other types of credentials or licenses are required? What types of training do companies offer persons entering this field? Is graduate school recommended? An MBA? Does the company encourage and pay for employees to pursue graduate degrees?
50. Does your work relate to any experiences or studies you had in college?
51. How well did your college experience prepare you for this job?
52. What courses have proved to be the most valuable to you in your work? What would you recommend for me?
53. How important are grades/GPA for obtaining a job in this field?
54. How do you think my university’s reputation is viewed when it comes to hiring?
55. How do you think graduation from a private (or public) university is viewed when it comes to hiring?
56. How did you prepare for this work? If you were entering this career today, would you change your preparation in any way to facilitate entry?
57. What abilities or personal qualities do you believe contribute most to success in this field/job?
58. What are the typical entry-level job titles and functions? What entry-level jobs are best for learning as much as possible?
59. Who is the department head or supervisor for this job? Where do you and your supervisor fit into the organizational structure?
60. Who else do you know who is doing similar kinds of work or uses similar skills?
61. What other kinds of organizations hire people to perform the functions you do here? Do you know of other people whom I might talk to who have similar jobs?
62. Do you have any advice for someone interested in this field/job? Are there any written materials you suggest I read? Which professional journals and organizations would help me learn more about this field?
63. What kinds of experience, paid or unpaid, would you encourage for anybody pursuing a career in this field?
64. What special advice do you have for a student seeking to qualify for this position?
65. Do you have any special words of warning or encouragement as a result of your experience?
66. These are my strongest assets (skills, areas of knowledge, personality traits and values):___________________________________. Where would they fit in this field? Where would they be helpful in this organization? Where might they fit in other fields? Where might they be helpful in other organizations?
67. How would you assess the experience I’ve had so far in terms of entering this field?
68. [If you feel comfortable and it seems appropriate:] Would you mind taking a look at my resume?