21 Sample questions to ask in an Informational Interview or Job Shadow About the Job • What types of tasks do you spend most of your time doing? • What excites you most about this job? • What are some of the more difficult or frustrating parts of this career? • I really like doing ________. Do you have an opportunity to do that type of work in this career? • What types of advancement opportunities are available for an entry-level worker in this career? • I read that ________ is an issue in this occupation. Have you found that to be true? • Is this career changing? How so? About Working Conditions • What hours are typical for most jobs in this occupation, or do some types of jobs have different hours? • How often do you travel? Questions About Other Careers and Contacts • Do you know of any similar careers that also use _______ or involve _______? • I know that people in this career specialize in ______ and ______. Do you know of any other specialties? • Can you suggest anyone else I could ask for information? May I tell them that you have referred me? Questions About Training • What qualities should a person have to be in this field? • What did your path look like to get into your job/position? • Do you have any advice on how people interested in this career should prepare? Source: Informational Interviewing: Getting the Inside Scoop by Olivia Crosby