Included among the many valuable resources Penn Career Services provides is a detailed guide to informational interviews. Informational interviews are a critical component of any well-thought networking strategy. As the guide explains:

“If you don’t know what informational interviews are, they are simply opportunities for you to talk to people to gather in-depth information about career fields and positions that interest you. Talking to different people can help you understand what skills are needed for particular roles, learn the language and vocabulary that are commonly used in a career field, and develop your own professional narrative as you explore careers.”

The resource details with whom, when, and where these interviews should be conducted. It also provides an email template to request such an interview, as well as sample questions. Finally, it concludes with instructions on following up after the interview, common mistakes to avoid, and additional resources.

Read more here:

Career Services – Informational Interviewing Guide