The Seven Steps

Networking and informational interviewing are a more formal process of networking by which you identify people in fields of interest, ask if they’d be willing to talk with you, and arrange a time in which you interview them about their career and job. You ask most of the questions and gain insights into their career field and your own job search.

  • Step 1: Define Your Purpose
  • Step 2: Identify Your Contacts
  • Step 3: Do Preliminary Research
  • Step 4: Develop List(s) of Questions
  • Step 5: Make First Contact and Schedule the Interview
  • Step 6: Conduct Interviews
  • Step 7: Follow-Up

Step 1: Define Your Purpose

What information are you looking for? Determine for yourself whether you are interested in obtaining information and advice on career fields or if you are looking to develop a career network to assist in your job searching.

Step 2: Identify Your Contacts

Identify people in your life that might be able to assist you:

  • Relatives, friends, parents of friends, neighbors, members of civic or social organizations in which you participate, current supervisors, professors, co-workers, guest lecturers, etc.
  • CareerRAM Network, an on-line network of CSU alumni, parents and friends who have volunteered to provide advice and information to current students and other alums.

Step 3: Do Preliminary Research

Once you’ve identified your contacts, make sure you’ve researched their company and field. Most of your networking contacts will be more friendly and helpful if they recognize that you have made some effort to understand their organization/position prior to contacting them. Try not to waste their time by asking questions that you could have easily researched before your meeting. The web can be your best friend on this!

Step 4: Develop List(s) of Questions

Identify 5-10 questions that will solicit information useful to you. Check out the link below for a list of sample questions – make sure to edit these to meet your needs. However, you will only have a limited amount of time, so prioritize which questions to ask. Additionally, the questions you ask may change depending upon who you are interviewing.

Sample Networking and Informational Interviewing Questions