There are FIVE steps to the Informational Interview.

Step 1: Compile a list of individuals in your target career field whom you would like to interview. Try to identify people who are working at a company in which you are interested. This is a good opportunity to practice your networking skills. Let your classmates, friends, family members, and colleagues know that you need to complete an informational interview with someone in your intended career field. You'll be amazed at how effective networking can be.

Step 2: Prepare a brief introduction of yourself and the purpose(s) of the informational interview. Prepare a list of open-ended questions that would be appropriate to ask during the informational interview. An Internet search using "informational interview" will provide you with many examples of questions you might want to use.

Step 3: Practice your interview with a classmate, friend, family member, or colleague and ask them to critique your performance. Identify ways to improve based on their feedback.

Step 4: Set up a day and time for the interview. Record the interviewee's responses to your questions. Send a thank-you letter, note, or email to the interviewee within two business days of completing the interview.