Informational Interviews
For your desired health profession, you should have a thorough knowledge of the job responsibilities and daily life. Many students do this through shadowing providers in a healthcare setting. However, informational interviews can be just as informative and allow you to build a relationship that might lead to shadowing and other mentorship opportunities in the future. These interviews can be 30 minute conversations or an email exchange with providers to learn more about the field.
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- Start with your own primary care or specialist providers.
- Ask friends and family members to connect you.
- Use LinkedIn or Handshake to network with alumni.
- Connect with providers at your volunteer sites.
- Attend workshops with guest providers.
- Post a Wisdom Wanted Ad.
- Review interview best-practices and networking interviews from the Hiatt Career Center.
- Create an up-to-date resume and/or create a professional social account (LinkedIn).
- Take a professional photo. You should be professionally dressed with good lighting.
- Prepare a list of career-relevant questions.
- Email, message, or introduce yourself as professionally as possible.
- Tell them your current position (student, volunteer, research, etc.)
- Explain your relationship to them and how you know them.
- Explain your career pathway and goals.
- Explain why you need to know more about their profession.
- Ask for an informational interview with options of different settings.
- Back-and-forth email exchange.
- 30 minute phone interview.
- Face-to-face meeting for coffee or lunch at their profession.
- Networking at health profession events and workshops.
- What do you like most about your job?
- What do you like least about your job?
- What kinds of problems do you deal with?
- What kinds of decisions do you make?
- How do you work with other providers?
- Are you involved in research? If so, how often and what exactly?
- How did you become interested in this field?
- How does your job affect your general lifestyle?
- How do you think the field will change in the next 10 years?
- What advice would you give someone who is considering this type of job (or field)?
- Send a follow-up email thanking them for their time.
- Typically sent the same day or one day after the meeting.
- Ask if they are open for shadowing or if they know anyone.
- Be open to shadowing other professions for career exploration.