Blog Post: Early risers, part 3: What to ask at the informational interview

Generation Y, the newest generation to hit the workplace, has a lot to say about how that work gets done. Many have already made a name for themselves as employees, managers and entrepreneurs.

We asked members of the council that guides the Arizona State Young Alumni (ASYA) program to answer the question, "What are the best questions to ask a network contact during an informational interview?" Here are two responses that provide great advice for job-seekers of any age.

"I think a great question to ask a network contact during an informational interview is how they got to where they are today. Listening to the stories of other people's careers often provides great insight and direction for your own. Another great question is to ask what their typical day is like -- try to get down to the little day-to-day details. That type of question can be very helpful in helping you figure out if you'd like what they do."
 
Sara Agne '04 B.A.


"I would ask a couple of questions: If a publicly traded company, 'What has influenced the recent stock price?' and similar valuation questions to demonstrate you understand how a publicly traded company operates and get a sense for the financial stability of the company.
 
"I would also ask about how the company tends to promote--is it a meritocracy or (related to) time served?"

Brandon Goad '04 B.A.

Helpful links
ASU Alumni Association Career Network page
ASYA home page