An informational interview is a conversation between a person seeking insights on a career path, an industry, a company, and/or general career advice from someone with experience and knowledge in the areas of interest. It is an informal conversation, usually lasting 20-30 minutes, with a person working in a career field that interests the knowledge seeker. Informational interviews are often casual and candid conversations where both parties are focused simply on acquiring and sharing knowledge.

Informational interviews differ from job interviews because the conversation is not about hiring and not about a specific job. The knowledge seeker asks general questions about an industry, company, or career path, and the knowledge provider has an opportunity to learn about the knowledge seekers character and qualifications outside of a formal job interview process. Thus, informational interviews help overcome a problem in recruiting/job-seeking processes, where each side may be hesitant to talk to the other because they are uncertain about whether they might be wasting their time with an unqualified candidate or unsuitable workplace.

To set up an informational interview, one can find contacts by asking people in their network for contacts in a field, company, or job that interests them. The Business Finder can also help find contacts in an industry. After finding contacts, one can make contact by either calling or emailing to make contact. The introduction could be: "Mrs. Smith, Brad Johnson suggested I speak with you. My name is Steven Olson, and I am interested in the ________ field. I could use advice from someone who is in this field. Do you have time in the next two weeks to meet for about 20 minutes? I would really like to learn more about your company and the ________ field from someone like you".

Informational interviews can be a valuable tool to gain industry insights and build connections. They can be a gateway to opportunities that one would not usually have access to. Informational interviews allow one to practice expressing themselves and asking questions in a low-stakes situation. Whether one is just starting out or seeking a transition, they can conduct an informational interview at any point in their career. But remember to request them out of genuine curiosity and a desire to learn. You never know where these connections can lead, be it collaborations, job opportunities, or mentorship.