Do you wonder what information interviews are? Or you’re wondering what sort of questions to ask as you prepare for an informational interview session with a group of job seekers.
If you are, look no further as that is what this is all about. This article is set to take you through the series of potential informational interview questions to ask come the day of the interview.
An excellent way for CEOs to discover if candidates are a good match for an industry, company, career, or position is to conduct an informational interview. There are distinct differences between an informational interview and general job interviews; an informational interview is probably the most common tool used by company executives to land the best candidate for the job.
An informational interview typically assists hiring executives in determining how well-suited a candidate is the best fit for a professional job position.
So, are you wondering what frequently asked questions are the best fit for an informational interview you have recently been scheduled to conduct for a group of job seekers? You need not worry; I’ve compiled a list of different categories of informational questions you might want to familiarize yourself with.
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14 Best Informational Interview Questions
Q1: What inspired you to pursue a career in this field?
Why It Works: You probably think, why ask this question on a day they have prepared so much for? Trust me! It’s a good way to learn about the candidate and how well they align with your company’s goals.
Q2: Would you mind telling me how you got the current position you hold at present?
Why It Works: The question sounds too casual and informal. Still, hiring executives uses these questions during an informational interview to explore the steps candidates are willing to take to land a job in the career path.
Q3: What are the most important steps one should take to prepare for a role you’re applying for?
Why It Works: In the answer, you will find clear, actionable plans the candidate will embark on upon getting the job. It is important to note that there is diversity in every situation, and each aspiring professional may have undergone different steps since entering their field.
Q4: What do you consider your greatest accomplishments?
Why It Works: Most candidates for an interview prepare ahead of time for the hiring executive to impress them with their accomplishments. However, when hiring executives to ask this question, they listen carefully to know how their candidate has learned to distinguish themselves from other applicants effectively and how they will use the skill later when on the job.
Q5: What work experience outside of this industry did you have that helped you excel in this role?
Why It Works: This informational question informs hiring executives of the candidate’s career history and ascertains various acquired skills valuable in their organization.
Q6: What have you learned since you were appointed to your last job position?
Why It Works: employers ask this informational interview question to determine if the candidate has changed career paths based on what they have learned or mastered from their past professional commitments.
Q7: Did your undergraduate major prepare you for the job you have now?
Why It Works: How did you arrive at this position, if not through your previous career path? This question is important to evaluate specific after-secondary education is necessary for the position held at that time.
Q8: As a member of your team, what sort of decisions do you chair?
Why It Works: Most CEOs expect that a potential candidate has a honed decision-making ability. Asking this question, you’ll understand how the candidate will prioritize their to-do items, employee, coworker, and client needs.
Q9: Is there a culture at your company that you could describe?
Why It Works: Hiring executives ask this informational interview question to determine the candidate’s sense of a company’s values, management style, problem-solving skills, and employee treatment methods.
Q10: Do you have a balanced work and personal life?
Why It Works: Candidates offering details about their lifestyle outside of work pick a convenient time when employers can grasp how they separate work from daily life without a commitment clash. For example, during this conversation, you may want to talk about paid time off and vacation. Also, it helps you know the level of micromanagement that will be possible on a particular job.
Q11: It seems that starting salaries for new employees are rather low in this field. How do you see these assumptions?
Why It Works: It is common for CEOs to want to know about the money inclination of the candidate they are interviewing. Asking this question will help you get insight into how much cash will make the candidate happy.
Q12: Do you have any recommendations for published journals or associations which may be useful to develop as a professional in this field?
Why It Works: For tips on preparing for work in the industry, CEOs can ask about professional publications the candidate has familiarized with in line with the firm niche. Candidates who can respond reasonably showed great prospects and motivation.
Q13: How about staying in touch?
Why It Works: During an informational interview, CEO’s usually want to know how the candidate is willing to increase and strengthen their professional tentacles. They often ask this question to ascertain candidate commitments to keep in touch with high-profile professionals in their chosen careers.
Q14: How do you like your job? What do you not like about it?
Why It Works: Asking this question is an excellent way to learn about the more challenging aspects of the job. Of course, there are no perfect jobs, but you may favor certain roles over others because of their present challenges.
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5 Common Informational Interview Questions
Q1: What made you decide to pursue this profession?
Why It Works: With a question like this, you’ll get a better sense of what initially drew your conversation partner to the profession. In addition, it will provide some important context as you move through the rest of the interview.
Q2: What professional experience have you gained that has provided the greatest value to this position?
Why It Works: Asking this question will make you understand how your candidate arrived at the point in their careers. In addition, it is helpful to know how successful their career path has been.
There is a possibility that he will need to use a skill set that he did not expect. But, on the other hand, maybe a particular certification has given them a real edge in this position-so it’s something that you might also want to consider. These tips will be helpful to you as you consider making your move.
Q3: Are there any things about your day-to-day routine that would surprise people?
Why It Works: Your knowledge about a particular field may seem complete to you; the peek behind the scenes is always incredibly enlightening, though you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Many people may assume your interviewee spends their days working outdoors, but her role requires plenty of desk work, for instance. You can learn more about those lesser-known aspects of a job by using a prompt like this.
Q4: When considering a career in this field, what is the one thing you wish somebody had told you?
Why It Works: To stay in line with the surprise angle, it is worth exploring more in that person’s head to see what personally shocked them about that particular role.
I’m sure some aspects of the job they did not anticipate, whether he didn’t realize how much their math skills would be required or didn’t recognize how many departments they’d collaborate with.
Q5: How Would You Describe the Biggest Rewards of Your Position?
Why It Works: Your goal in the conversation isn’t just to find out anything surprising or negative about that position. Instead, discover what candidates love as well.
Finding the right job involves matching your values and priorities with the job that is right for you. Therefore, you might want to look at what is positive about that role to see if it aligns with your ideals.
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5 Unique Informational Interview Questions
Q1: How would you like each employee to feel after a year in your company?
Why It Works: Great jobs provide you with growth opportunities that help you as you grow. Inquiring about these opportunities will keep you informed about training sessions, conferences, and other opportunities for intellectual development.
Q2: What advice do you have for a student wishing to pursue a career in this firm?
Why It Works: This question can subtly help provide information about how passionate they are about the job role or profession. You probably would know if the candidate will be willing to put someone so dear on the same career.
Q3: Why is Preparation for an Opportunity Like Yours Most Important?
Why It Works: With any luck, you’ll leave that conversation knowing what you need to do next. So if you want actionable information to walk away with, ask a question like this.
Are there any certifications you need to get? Could you benefit from taking this course? What experience do you need to have? Would there be anyone else you should contact?
If you find out what they recommend you do to prepare adequately for the job, you’ll be able to leverage that conversation to do something.
Q4: What are the most popular investment areas for them at the moment.
Why It Works: Asking this question will give you insight into how forward-looking they are regardless of their career commitment.
Q5: Could you please provide me with two portfolio companies
Why It Works: An answer given right away signalizes a lack of shame and the lack of any major problem. If not, that is a red flag.