The Career Project’s Career Questionnaire & Informational interview

Everyday we receive requests from teachers and job seekers around the world for access to our Career Project Informational Interview, also known as a our “Career Questionnaire.” Teachers ask for it to help their students research various careers for “career days” and job seekers have used it to conduct their own informational interviews to obtain career research in a particular field. We are happy to list the various sections below for educational and personal usage.*

What Questions to ask in an informational interview? TheCareerProject.org’s FREE Career Questionnaire below:

Informational Interview Questions#1: What exactly do you do?

A. What field is your job in?

B. What is your job title?

C. Please provide a brief description of the firm or organization that you currently work for (size and general description of what type of organization it is)

D. How long have you been employed in this position?

E. How many hours do you work a week on average?

F. Please provide a BRIEF description of your duties and responsibilities.

G. What was your gross income last year? Please include any bonuses or incentives received.

H. What is your expected gross income for this year? Please include any bonuses or incentives you expect to receive.

I. Please list any benefits you have (Please include number of weeks vacation, sick leave and type of health insurance, retirement plan 401k)

J. Do you feel you are under/well/over compensated at your current position?

Informational Interview Questions #2: Work environment!

A. Does your job entail you working with others on a daily basis? Is this something you like/dislike about your job? Explain

B. Do you work collaboratively with supervisors/managers?

C. Do you work collaboratively with your co-workers?

D. Describe your work location (e.g., office, home, theatre, in the field) and what you like/dislike about working in it.

E. Please rank in order of importance from 1-8 (1- most important 8- least important) Assign each number once.

• Income
• Work Environment – co-workers
• Work Environment – supervisors
• Benefits
• Hours
• Level of responsibility
• The actual “work” you do at your job
• Job Title

Informational Interview Questions #3: Job Advice straight up

How should someone new to the workforce get a J-O-B like yours?

A. If someone wanted to go about getting a job similar to yours, what would you recommend for him or her to do?

B. What skills do you think a person should have if they want to pursue a position like yours? Please be specific and explain why (e.g., social skills, organization skills, technical skills)

C. Do you feel that you need a certain level of education or training to be successful in your job?

D. What advice would you give to someone who was about to start work in your position/ line of work?

Informational Interview Questions#4: How did you get your JOB?

A. How did you find your current job? (e.g. newspaper, internet, referral, etc.)

B. What was the application process for your job? (e.g. submitted resume, paper application, electronic application, all, etc.)

C. Did you have to interview for your current job? If yes, what did the interview process entail? (e.g., number of interviews, who you interviewed with, group interview, individual interview, etc.)

D. If you can remember, what questions were you asked at your interview?

E. Is this the job / field you planned to work in?

F. If your job is in a different field from your original plan how did you get here? Explain (Plan can be from high school/college/post college/personal plan)

 

Informational Interview Questions #5: What are your qualifications?

A. Was there training for your current position? If yes, what did it entail?

B. Do you feel your employer properly prepared you for your job? Explain

C. Do you feel your educational background prepared you for your job? Explain

D. If applicable, do you feel your internship experience helped you prepare you for your job?

Name of School       GPA    Type of Degree       Graduation Date

High School

College

Graduate School

Starting with the most recent, please list your last two positions/jobs before your CURRENT POSITION. If you have held internships or volunteer positions, please include those in the count. If you require more space, please use it.

Type of Company   Job Title        Length of Employment      Salary

1.

Type of Company   Job Title        Length of Employment     

2.

 

Informational Interview Questions #6: Career Goals & Future

A. If someone were to observe you at work, what would he or she say is “fun” about your job?

B. What is (are) the most fulfilling aspect(s) and least fulfilling aspect(s) of your current employment? (e.g. fiscal, spiritual, type of work, hours, commute, compensation, etc.)

C. Is your current employment part of your career plan? Why or why not?

D. What are your current career goals? (Can be broad or specific)

E. Is there anything else you would like to share about your career?

 

*TheCareerProject.org’s “Career Questionnaire” may be used for personal and educational use. Commercial use is strictly prohibited. If you would like a “DOC” version of the questionnaire please email info (at) thecareerproject.org.