Here are the informational interview questions to ask about a profession, department, company, and industry
- How large is this department / company / industry / profession?
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- How is this department / company / industry / profession changing now?
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- How does the economy impact this department / company / industry / profession?
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- What do you see as the future of this department / company / industry / profession 5 to 10 years from now?
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- Do you think it is a secure department / company / industry / profession in terms of income potential, opportunities, future demand, etc.?
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- What is the employment outlook like in this department / company / industry / profession?
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- What is the potential for career advancement in this department / company / industry / profession?
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- Who are the major employers in this profession / industry? Are there any employers that you recommend I look at?
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- What are the various careers available in this field?
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- How does someone advance in this career?
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- How quickly do people advance to the next level?
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- Based on what you have learned about my skills and interests, which careers do you think could be a good fit for me?
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- What are the most important things that I need to know about entering this department / company / industry / profession?
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- What are the typical entry-level jobs in this field? What are the typical responsibilities for those positions? What are the educational or experience requirements for those positions? If I performed well, how quickly could I advance in this field?
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- What is the salary range for more senior positions in the field?
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- What sacrifices do people typically need to make to succeed in this position / field?
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- What are the different career paths I could take in this profession as I gain experience?
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- What sort of compensation could I expect, including salary range and other benefits, if I did this type of work?
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- What is the highest-level job one can achieve in this field?
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- What else do people need to know about this field before they enter it?
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- What are the reasons that people typically leave this field?
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- When people leave this field, what other careers could they transition to?
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- Do you have any other advice for people considering this department / company / industry / profession?
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For 100 more informational interview questions to ask, see the article Great Questions to Ask at an Informational Interview
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