Unlocking the Power of Informational Interview Questions
Staying competitive as an HR professional requires continually sharpening your people management and recruitment skills. One invaluable career development and talent acquisition tool is the informational interview. Whether you're advancing within human resources or supporting others on their career journeys, mastering the informational interview - and understanding what to ask on an informational interview - can unlock hidden opportunities and key industry insights.
This comprehensive guide is designed for HR professionals aged 25 to 40 in the United States. Explore best practices, step-by-step strategies, and examples of great informational interview questions to boost your career potential and enhance your recruitment methods.
What is an Informational Interview?
An informational interview is an informal conversation with a professional working in a role, industry, or organization that piques your interest. Unlike job interviews - which focus on evaluating a candidate for employment - informational interviews are about collecting firsthand, insider knowledge.
For HR professionals, informational interviews are valuable whether you’re the interviewer or interviewee. Crafting strong questions to ask during informational interview* sessions uncovers unique insights into organizational dynamics, career trajectories, and opportunities not readily found elsewhere (Chen, 2022).
Why Informational Interviews Matter in HR
Career Development
Informational interviewing is a powerful tool for career progression. Research shows that 85% of all jobs are filled through networking, often initiated via informational interviews (Zhang, 2017). These conversations help HR professionals expand their networks, clarify career goals, and stay current with industry shifts.
Talent Acquisition & Market Intelligence
Informational interviews offer HR practitioners a direct channel for market research. By engaging with professionals in various roles and industries, you gain actionable insights into salary trends, in-demand skills, and workplace culture - critical elements for effective hiring (Society for Human Resource Management [SHRM], 2021).
Diversity & Inclusion
Incorporating informational interview questions focused on diversity and inclusion ensures these priorities are embedded in talent searches and career development. Learning about challenges, support systems, and inclusivity benchmarks from individual employee experiences enhances organizational initiatives (Castillo, 2020).
How to Ask for an Informational Interview
Requesting an informational interview may feel daunting, especially when reaching out to someone senior or in another organization. Use these strategies to approach your request professionally and respectfully:
- Clarify Your Purpose: Define what you want to learn - be it industry trends, company culture, or professional guidance.
- Identify the Right Professional: Approach individuals whose backgrounds align with your interests or goals.
- Craft a Thoughtful Message: Personalize your request, state how you found them, and express why you value their perspective.
- Offer Flexibility: Propose a brief (15–30 minute) chat and provide multiple options (phone, video call, or coffee).
- Acknowledge Their Time: Show gratitude, regardless of their response.
Sample Outreach Email:
Subject: Seeking Your Insights on HR Leadership
Hi [Name],
I’m currently growing my career in HR and was inspired by your transition from talent management to leadership. Would you be open to a quick 20-minute conversation to share your perspective on this journey? I’m flexible to meet at your convenience in the coming weeks. Thank you for your consideration!
(Adapted from Fisher, 2021)
What to Ask on an Informational Interview: Core Categories
Structuring your informational interview questions ensures you make the most of your conversation. Typical categories include:
1. Career Path & Background
Understand how your contact entered the field and key influences along their journey.
2. Role-Specific Insights
Gain clarity on daily responsibilities, necessary skills, and indicators of success.
3. Organizational Climate
Learn about company culture, management styles, and diversity and inclusion initiatives.
4. Industry Trends
Ask about current market changes, technology impacts, and emerging challenges.
5. Advice & Next Steps
Seek recommendations for further development, skills enhancement, and networking.
Preparing and organizing your questions in advance reflects professionalism and leads to more meaningful discussions (Kreitner & Kinicki, 2022).
Top 25 Good Questions for Informational Interviews
Choosing good questions for informational interviews is vital. Here are 25 great informational interview questions - grouped by category - to guide your conversations:
Career Path & Background
- What led you to pursue a career in human resources?
- How did your previous experiences prepare you for your current role?
- Which turning points were most influential in your career?
- Are there any certifications or degrees you consider essential?
- If you could start your career over, what would you do differently?
Role-Specific Insights
- What does a typical day look like for you?
- Which skills or qualities are most critical for your position?
- How do you define and measure success in your role?
- What are the most challenging aspects of your job?
- Are there common misconceptions about your work?
Organizational Climate
- How would you describe your company's culture?
- What does your organization do to support professional development?
- Are there diversity and inclusion efforts here that you find particularly effective?
- What traits or habits help employees thrive in your workplace?
- How is leadership communication structured internally?
Industry Trends
- What significant changes are shaping the HR landscape today?
- How has technology influenced your daily tasks?
- What new skills should HR professionals develop now?
- What trends will impact HR most in the next five years?
- How has remote work changed your team's practices?
Advice & Next Steps
- Are there professional associations or networking events you'd recommend?
- Who else should I connect with for more insights?
- Which resources (books, podcasts, courses) have been most helpful to you?
- How do you stay informed about industry news and best practices?
- What advice would you offer to someone aiming for HR management?
These informational interview questions foster insightful answers and help build lasting professional connections.
Tips for Conducting Effective Informational Interviews
To maximize the benefits of your informational interview:
- Prepare Thoughtfully: Research your contact and their organization; prioritize key informational interview questions.
- Be Present and Listen Actively: Take notes and ask relevant follow-up questions.
- Honor the Time Commitment: Wrap up within the agreed timeframe.
- Follow Up: Send a thank-you note summarizing key takeaways and expressing appreciation.
- Stay Connected: Keep the relationship warm with occasional updates or relevant resources.
Networking, including informational interviews, accelerates career advancement - professionals with strong networking skills progress 47% faster than those without (Harvard Business Review, 2019).
Leveraging Informational Interview Insights in HR Practice
Applying what you learn from informational interviews enhances every stage of HR:
- Candidate Experience: Use insights into culture and success factors to craft authentic job postings and interview guides.
- Onboarding: Adapt best practices discovered to improve new employee experiences.
- Diversity & Inclusion: Integrate effective strategies learned from others for more inclusive hiring and organizational support.
- Team Development: Share career path insights with mentees or colleagues exploring HR transitions.
Bringing real-world knowledge into your processes ensures your HR initiatives remain relevant and impactful (McKinsey Global Institute, 2021).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Maximize your results by steering clear of these common pitfalls:
- Turning It Into a Job Interview: Focus on learning, not soliciting job offers.
- Insufficient Preparation: Avoid generic questions and demonstrate research.
- Neglecting Follow-Up: Always thank your contact and maintain the relationship.
- Dominating the Conversation: Ensure a balanced, respectful dialogue.
HR professionals thrive as relationship builders - genuine curiosity and gratitude strengthen those connections.
Conclusion
Too often overlooked, the informational interview is an essential strategy for HR professionals seeking to expand networks, empower teams, and advance their own careers. By learning how to ask for an informational interview, developing thoughtful informational interview questions, and applying gained insights, you can stay at the forefront of an evolving HR landscape.
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References
Castillo, E. (2020). Diversity in hiring: Bridging the gap in recruitment and inclusion. Journal of Human Resources and Sustainability, 12(3), 44–59.
Chen, Y. (2022). Informational interviews: A strategic networking approach. Career Development International, 27(1), 18–33.
Fisher, L. (2021). Effective networking strategies for HR professionals. HR Practice Review, 19(2), 87–96.
Harvard Business Review. (2019). The surprising power of networking: How to advance your career.
Kreitner, R., & Kinicki, A. (2022). Organizational behavior (12th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.
McKinsey Global Institute. (2021). The future of work after COVID-19.
Society for Human Resource Management. (2021). The evolving role of HR: 2021 HR trends report.
Zhang, L. (2017). LinkedIn report: 85% of all jobs are filled via networking. The Balance Careers. https://www.thebalancecareers.com/how-many-jobs-come-from-networking-2063729
About Nguyen Thuy Nguyen
Part-time sociology, fulltime tech enthusiast