About the job
- What does a typical day or week look like for you?
- What parts of the job take the most time?
- What do you enjoy most, and least?
- What surprised you when you started?
- What skills matter most for success?
Getting in
- How did you get into this field?
- What training or credentials do employers actually look for?
- If you were starting over, what would you do differently?
- Which programs or schools have a good reputation locally?
- What entry-level roles are a good first step?
Pay and growth
- What does career progression look like here?
- How do people typically increase their pay in this field?
- What credentials lead to promotions?
- How is the field changing?
- Where do you see demand growing?
Fit
- What kind of person thrives in this work?
- What kind of person struggles?
- How would you describe the culture in this field?
- What’s the hardest part of the job emotionally or physically?
- What do new people most often get wrong?
Next steps
- What should I read or learn next?
- Is there anyone else you’d recommend I talk to?
- Are there professional groups or events worth joining?
- Could I shadow you or someone on your team for a few hours?
- May I follow up with you later?
Notes
| Person / role | Key takeaways | Follow-up |
|---|---|---|
Send a thank-you message within 24 hours. See the informational interview guide.