Informational Interviewing & Job Shadowing

Informational interviews and job shadowing experiences are opportunities for you to build a professional network and to gain knowledge about career fields and jobs of potential interest to you.

An informational interview involves a 30-60 minute conversation with a professional about their job, organization, or industry; whereas a job shadow is longer (from a half to several days) and goes beyond a conversation to include observation opportunities and possibly participation in meetings or projects.

If you are interested in setting up an informational interview or job shadow, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Determine your goal(s) for an informational interview or job shadow

Before pursuing an informational interview or job shadow, it’s important to set goals about what you want to learn from the experience. This will help you strategically choose who you reach out to and what you ask.

Some example goals include learning more about:

  • The day-to-day responsibilities of someone with a specific job title
  • The similarities and differences of the same role at different companies
  • The company culture of an organization you’re interested in working for
  • What skills are needed for success in a specific role or at a specific company

Step 2: Find a professional to interview or shadow

Based on the goals you set in step 1, determine the type of professional you would like to interview or shadow. Think critically about the type of person who would be able to give you the insight you’re looking for. 

There are many sources to find a professional to interview or shadow. No source is better than another; it just depends on what you’re looking for. Consider starting with these sources:

  • Your own personal network, including family, friends, supervisors, professors, advisors, and/or mentors
  • Employers you have interacted with at career fairs, information sessions, or networking events
  • UConn alumni, who you can meet at UConn-affiliated events or on LinkedIn

Step 3: Reach out to request the interview or job shadow

Once you have found someone you’d like to interview or shadow, it’s time to reach out! How you reach out will depend on the type of contact information you have, and that’s okay. It’s appropriate to reach out about an informational interview via email, phone call, LinkedIn message, or possibly text if you have texted the person before.

When you reach out, it’s important to both introduce yourself and be clear about what you’re asking for so the professional has all the information they need to give you an answer. If you are asking for an informational interview, include a timeframe and the types of subjects you would like to cover. If you are asking for a job shadow, include the time commitment you are seeking and what specifically you are hoping to observe. Below are two sample requests, one for an informational interview and one for a job shadow.

Requesting an Informational Interview:

Dear Thomas,

My name is ____, and I am a junior computer science major at UConn. Last semester, I took my first class about machine learning with Professor Hao, and it was my favorite class I have taken at UConn so far. I visited Professor Hao’s office hours to talk with her about how much I enjoy her class and ask some questions about how I could further my knowledge about machine learning and your name came up. She told me that you took her class three years ago and are now working in a machine learning-focused role at IBM. 

I would love to learn more about your role and what it’s like to work at an industry-leading company like IBM. Would you be open to a 30-minute chat about your work with an emphasis on the machine learning skills you rely on most and the structure of your project teams? I would be happy to chat via phone or video call, whichever you prefer. 

Thank you in advance for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

[Name]

Requesting a Job Shadow:

Dear Aditi,

Thank you for accepting my connection request on LinkedIn. I’m excited to continue our conversation and learn more about you and your work.

As I mentioned in my initial outreach, I’m currently exploring careers in social services. I’m studying psychological sciences at UConn, and I know I want to go to graduate school, but I just can’t decide between school counseling and social work. I have experience volunteering with two different youth development programs, but unfortunately neither of them had a counselor social worker on staff, which is why I reached out to you. Based on your LinkedIn profile, I can see that you are currently a social worker with a youth development program, which combines my background and interests very well!

I’m interested in a job shadow with you or your team this coming summer. I will be traveling throughout the month of May but am available anytime in June and would love to shadow for 1-2 weeks. More specifically, I’d appreciate the chance to observe any intake appointments, program planning, or partnership meetings I can. 

I am active on LinkedIn, but if you’d prefer to coordinate via email, my email address is [email address]. I appreciate any and all insight you can provide.

Best,

[Name]

Step 4: Prepare for your interview or shadow

If the person you reach out to says yes, the next step in the process is preparing for your interview or shadow. Though the formats of these opportunities are different, preparation can be very similar. Consider doing the following:

  • Search for details about the individual you will interview or shadow using the company website and LinkedIn
  • Research the organization they work for using their website and social media accounts, making note of any trends
  • Review any recent publications or articles about the company specifically and related to the industry overall
  • Prepare questions – more tips below!
  • Select appropriate attire for the interview or shadow – dress as you would for a formal interview with that company
  • Plan to bring a device or notebook for notetaking, being conscious of any safety or confidentiality restrictions

Preparing Questions for an Informational Interview or Job Shadow

Considering your goals for your interview or shadow is key as you determine the questions you’d like to ask. Be prepared to lead the conversation, as you requested the meeting. Below is a list of suggested topics and questions. For a 30-minute conversation, prepare at least 10 questions and prioritize them so you can cover your most important questions first in case you run out of time.

About a Specific Career Path/Job

  1. Why did you decide to work in this industry? Why did you decide to take a job with this company/organization?
  2. What do you like most about your position? What do you like least?
  3. What does your job entail on a daily basis (e.g., specific tasks)? Does it vary day-to-day? Do you have busy and/or slow times of year?
  4. What makes a person successful at this job or in this industry? What skills do they need?
  5. What opportunities for advancement exist in this line of work? Can you describe your career trajectory?
  6. What are the challenges in your occupation/career? How have you dealt with them?
  7. What do you know now that you wish you had known when you were starting out?

About Company Culture

  1. What is the company culture like here? What are the company values?
  2. What do you like about working here?
  3. How does the company culture here compare to any of your previous companies?

About the Industry (General)

  1. What types of jobs, activities, or classes would you recommend I pursue if I am interested in an entry-level position in this field after graduation?
  2. What kind of lifestyle can be expected in this line of work?
  3. What changes have you seen occur in this field? What changes are occurring now?
  4. How is the economy affecting this industry?
  5. What professional associations have you joined or would you recommend joining?
  6. Is there anyone else you can recommend for me to speak with to learn more about this field?

When Seeking a Future Internship

  1. Has your company/department previously hired interns? If so, for what types of roles?
  2. How and when does your department advertise/promote its internships?
  3. What needs does your department have that could be supported by an intern?

When Seeking a Future Job

  1. How does your company/department advertise/promote job openings?
  2. Does your organization offer professional development opportunities? What type(s)?
  3. What types of positions exist with your organization/within your department that might utilize my experience and skillset?

Step 5: Conduct your interview or shadow

It’s time! Be enthusiastic, take notes, and learn as much as you can.

Step 6: Send a thank-you note and follow up regularly

After your informational interview or job shadow is complete, take some time to reflect on what you learned. Keep in mind that one person’s experiences do not reflect an entire company or industry but still provide valuable perspective. Send a thank you note within 48 hours that details what you found beneficial from your interview or shadow. This can be sent via email or LinkedIn.

Also consider checking back regularly (2-4 times a year) with professional updates if you’d like to continue counting the person you interviewed or shadowed as part of your network.