This post may contain affiliate links which means we may receive a commission for purchases made through our recommended links. We will only recommend products or services that we have personally used or that members of our community are currently using. This is of absolutely no cost to you, the company we recommend may pay us a small fee for linking you with them and this helps us with the running costs of our website. Learn more through our Private Policy and Affiliate Disclaimer pages.
An informational interview is a short conversation with someone who understands a role or industry you are considering. You are asking for insight into the work, not asking them to interview you or find you a job. For teachers exploring unfamiliar careers, it can help turn a promising job title into a clearer picture of everyday work.
The University of Queensland’s guide to conversations with industry recommends researching the organisation and person before approaching them. That preparation helps you ask focused questions and make good use of the time they offer.
Choose one question you need answered
“What should I do with my life?” is too broad for a short conversation. Try “How much of this role involves facilitating versus administration?” or “What would count as useful evidence from a teacher applying for a coordination role?”
Begin with one possible direction. If you are comparing instructional design and learning and development, speak to people doing each kind of work rather than asking one person to represent both fields.
Find an appropriate person
Look for someone whose current or recent experience matches your question. Existing professional contacts, alumni networks, community connections and relevant professional events can provide starting points. Read their public professional information first so your message explains why you chose them.
A person does not need a senior title to provide useful insight into the work. Someone doing the role you are considering may be better placed to describe its daily tasks than an executive several levels away.
A message you can adapt
“Hi [name], I am a teacher exploring [field]. I noticed your experience in [specific relevant area] and would value your perspective on what the work is like. Would you be open to a brief 15–20 minute conversation at a time that suits you? I am particularly interested in [one question]. I am gathering information rather than asking about a vacancy, and I understand if you are unavailable.”
Personalise the message. Do not send a large resume attachment or ask someone you have never met to assess your entire career. If they do not respond, respect that; one polite follow-up is enough.
Questions that reveal the actual work
- What did you spend most of your time doing last week?
- Which parts of the role are less visible in advertisements?
- What is challenging for someone new to the field?
- Which skills are expected at the start, and which are usually learned at work?
- What would a relevant work sample look like?
- What should I investigate before paying for a course?
- Are there related job titles I should research?
You do not need to ask every question. Follow the useful parts of the conversation and keep to the agreed time. Ask about the role’s general salary structure or where to find reliable information rather than expecting someone to disclose their personal pay.
Worked example: compare two versions of a role
Suppose you are investigating training coordination. Create a comparison sheet before two conversations. Use the same headings: delivery, administration, systems, stakeholder contact, travel and entry requirements. Record what each person says in their own organisational context.
If one role is mostly scheduling and another includes frequent facilitation, that is useful information. It does not mean one person is wrong. It tells you to inspect advertisements more closely and ask the recruiter which version they are hiring for.
Listen without treating one opinion as a rule
One person’s experience is a data point. It may reflect their organisation, location or career stage. Compare what you hear with current advertisements and other conversations. Keep a separate column for “needs verification”.
Be particularly careful with broad statements about guaranteed jobs, universal qualifications or easy salary increases. Use the relevant employer, regulator or training provider to confirm specific requirements.
Follow up with a useful thank-you
“Thank you for explaining [specific insight]. It helped me understand [what became clearer]. My next step is to [genuine action]. I appreciate your time.”
Do not turn the thank-you into an unexpected referral request. If the person invited you to share a short sample later, follow that invitation and keep the request manageable.
Turn the conversation into a decision
- Write down three things you learned.
- Identify one assumption that changed.
- Choose one small next step: inspect more advertisements, create a sample or investigate a requirement.
- Decide whether the role deserves further exploration.
Finding that a role does not fit is still a useful result. The purpose is better information before you invest time and money. When you are ready to demonstrate your skills, use our career-change portfolio guide.
Image: AI-generated editorial illustration. Sources are linked throughout this guide.