student and professional at coffee

Informational interviews

Talk with people in the working world to gain a better understanding of an occupation or industry – and build a network of contacts in that field.

Benefits

Informational interviews are one of the most effective networking strategies. By reaching out and talking to people who do work that you're curious about, you can:

  • Learn more about career options you’re interested in
  • Follow up on research from books, articles, courses, etc.
  • Get information specific to you
  • Fast-track the answers to some of your career questions
  • Open the door to opportunities like internships, volunteer roles, summer jobs, part-time work, contracts or paid work experience

Finding people to interview

Leverage your connections at UBC

  • Meet UBC alumni at Arts Career Expo, Beyond the BSc, or other events specific to your major
  • Speak to recruiters at employer information sessions, UBC Career Days and other career fairs
  • The Centre for Student Involvement and Careers has employer directories for specific industries such as science, new media, nonprofits and the public sector

Do your research

  • Business in Vancouver is a weekly newspaper with articles and profiles that feature companies or people at companies in bold type, so they’re easily identifiable. BIV also has an events calendar, which you can find for free online
  • Eluta.ca is the official job search engine of Canada’s top employers
  • Many professional associations have websites with industry information and career-related resources

Get out into the community

  • Reach out on LinkedIn or Twitter
  • Go to lectures or events and participate in discussions
  • Find associations that hold events for professionals

How to ask for an interview

  • Introduce yourself in a few short sentences
  • Explain how you found the person’s contact information
  • Be specific about what you’re looking for; use the words “informational interview” and say how long you want to meet for (e.g., 15-30 minutes)
  • If the person can’t meet with you, ask them to refer you to other people or places to go for more information
  • Offer to provide a resume so the person will know more about you
  • Offer to meet them at their work place or near their work place during business hours to make it convenient for them

Questions to ask

  • What are some tasks or projects you work on?
  • What skills can help you excel in this field?  
  • What would entry-level work in this field look like? How do you advance? What does the typical career path look like? 
  • How would the experience from this kind of job transfer to other related roles?
  • What is the work culture like in your industry?
  • What kinds of people are you in contact with regularly?
  • Who else should I talk to?
  • What resources (like websites, industry associations or organizations) should I look into?
  • What is the most effective way to stay connected to current events and news particular to your industry?
  • Was graduate school necessary to prepare for or advance in this career? If so, which programs do you recommend?

Tips for success

  • Assume that people in the working world are willing to talk to you. You may think people aren’t interested in talking with you, but people will be supportive if you show genuine interest in what they do.

  • Don’t confuse it with a job interview. Be clear with the interviewee – and yourself – that you’re only looking for information. Don’t be afraid to mention skills or experiences that led you to this field, but don’t fish for opportunities.

  • Leave with two ideas to move forward, examples: two people to talk to next, or two organizations to volunteer with, or two websites you hadn’t seen before.

  • Be respectful of their time.

  • Send a thank you note right away!

External resources

  • Ten Thousand Coffees

    Create a free profile on The UBC Hub, start building your network, and share your experiences and exchange ideas....

  • 50 Ways to Get a Job

    Where are you at in your job search?

  • Glassdoor

    Salary details, company reviews and interview questions - all posted anonymously by employees and job seekers.

Networking topics

Career events

October 2020

SundayMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturday
1
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM: UBC Career Day Virtual Fair 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM: Webinar: Feeling Stuck or Unsure 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Employer Virtual Information Session: Sony Corporation
2
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Webinar: LinkedIn
3
4
5
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Webinar: Designing Your Life 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Employer Virtual Information Session: Microsoft
6
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Webinar: Job Search Strategies 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM: Arts Career Conversations: Beyond the Classroom
7
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Employer Virtual Information Session: Duke Marine Technical Services 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Employer Virtual Information Session: Metro Vancouver
8
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Webinar: Resume and Cover Letter 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM: Employer Virtual Information Session: TC Energy 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM: Connecting a Distanced Community: Organizing During a Pandemic
9
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM: Webinar: Panic to Power - Build Your Confidence
10
11
12
13
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Employer Virtual Information Session: FDM Group 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Webinar: Designing Your Life
14
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM: Employer Virtual Information Session: Isaac Operations 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Webinar: Interview Preparation
15
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Employer Virtual Information Session: British Columbia Dragoons 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM: Employer Virtual Information Session: Toronto Finance International 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Webinar: Job Search Strategies
16
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Employer Virtual Information Session: Facebook 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Webinar: Resume and Cover Letter
17
18
19
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Webinar: Designing Your Life
20
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM: Employer Virtual Information Session: PricewaterCoopers China & Hong Kong 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Webinar: Job Search Strategies
21
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Webinar: Interview Preparation 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM: Alumni Office Hours with Moises Uribe - Financial Innovation & Sustainable Investment Banking at Silverback Ventures 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Webinar: Graduate School: Planning Your Application 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM: Employer Virtual Information Session: Sony Corporation
22
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Webinar: Resume and Cover Letter 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM: Connecting a Distanced Community: Coalition Building During a Pandemic 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Community Connection Series: Thriving through Racial Barriers 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM: Virtual Information Session: UBC Master of Physical Therapy
23
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM: Webinar: Panic to Power - Build Your Confidence
24
25
26
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Webinar: Feeling Stuck or Unsure
27
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM: Virtual Information Session: UBC Master of Physical Therapy 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Employer Virtual Information Session: TELUS 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Webinar: Designing Your Life 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM: Employer Virtual Information Session: Vale Canada 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Employer Virtual Information Session: Chartered Professionals in Human Resources
28
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Webinar: Interview Preparation
29
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Webinar: Job Search Strategies 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Employer Virtual Information Session: Cloud Assert Technologies
30
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Webinar: Resume and Cover Letter
31

Book an advising appointment

Centre for Student Involvement and Careers

Current Service Update

In support of social distancing during the COVID-19 outbreak, the Centre for Student Involvement & Careers has suspended all in-person operations and has transitioned services to online delivery. The physical CSI&C will remain closed until further notice. 

Centre for Student Involvement and Careers

csic.support@ubc.ca

Telephone: 604 822 4011

Web: Book an advising appointment online.
Brock Hall
Room 1036
1874 East Mall
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1
Canada

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