Have you ever been lost in a new city, trying to find your way to a restaurant or a landmark, only to realize your phone isn’t working and GPS is failing you? Eventually, you hit that moment where you realize the best option is to ask someone who actually lives there.
A local. Someone who knows the area.
That experience is a perfect metaphor for your career journey. You can only get so far trying to figure everything out on your own. At some point, you’ll need to ask someone who’s already walked the path.
And that’s where informational interviews come in.
What Is an Informational Interview?
When people hear the word “interview,†they usually think of job interviews—where a company grills you to see if you’re a good fit for a role. But an informational interview is completely different.
An informational interview is when you reach out to someone who has experience, perspective, or insight that you value, and you ask them if they’d be willing to share what they’ve learned. It’s about gathering information, learning from their path, and asking questions to better understand your own.
It’s not about asking for a job. It’s about asking for directions!
Why Engineers (and Everyone Else) Should Do More of These
Engineers are smart problem-solvers. They’re used to researching, analyzing, and figuring things out on their own. That’s a great strength, but when it comes to career decisions, relying solely on self-research can leave you stuck or misinformed.
Online resources and company websites are helpful—but they can’t replace real conversations with real people. Talking to someone who’s been there gives you perspective that no article or job description can offer.
You don’t have to guess your way through your career. You can talk to people who’ve already navigated similar terrain and point you in the right direction (if that’s a similar path that you want to follow).
How to Start an Informational Interview
It’s simpler than you might think to hold an informational interview. Start by identifying someone you admire or who works in a role, company, or industry you’re curious about. Then reach out and ask if they’d be willing to chat for twenty minutes.
Some will say no, but others will say yes.
Here are a few questions you might ask during the conversation:
- How did you get to where you are?
- What did your career path look like?
- If I wanted to move in this direction, what would you suggest I focus on?
- What do you enjoy about your role? What are the challenges?
Even if you decide you don’t want to follow their path, you’ll have gained insight and clarity that helps you make more informed decisions. And chances are, you’ll also begin to build a relationship that could be valuable for years to come.
A Challenge for You
Most people never do this.
In fact, whenever I speak to a group about networking, I ask how many have done an informational interview. Sadly, the majority haven’t. But the people who do gain confidence, clarity, and connections that move their careers forward.
So here’s a simple challenge: If you’ve never done an informational interview before, schedule one this week. Just one.
Find someone. Reach out. Ask for a short conversation. And see what happens.
You may get ignored or turned down, and that’s okay. Keep going until you get a yes. Because just like asking for directions in a new city, asking for insight in your career can be the thing that gets you moving in the right direction.
You don’t have to figure everything out on your own. You don’t need to guess your way through big career decisions. You can talk to real people, ask real questions, and make more intentional, informed choices.
Informational interviews are a simple but powerful way to build clarity and confidence in your career journey.
So take the first step. Ask for directions.
Watch more in the video below:
