As a work-life and career coach, I regularly work with people who are engaged in a full-blown career change. Typically, this process involves identifying potential "next careers" through a variety of methods, and then seriously exploring them. Informational interviews are a great way to do this, but many career seekers are reluctant to pursue these kinds of conversations because they aren't sure what to ask.

Not sure what to ask the professional who's granted you an information interview? Here are some ideas to help you get the most out of your meeting. These questions are based on the assumption that you have sent your resume to this person ahead of the meeting so they have some idea of where you are coming from.

Interview questions:

- I understand the big picture of what you do. But day to day, what do you really do?

- What's a good day like?

- What's a bad day like?

- What keeps you up at night?

- What do you wish you had known before getting into this?

- What's the best thing about this job?

- What aspects of you (or skills) are growing in this job?

- What would make me more marketable for the position of . . .?

- What would make me more marketable generally to an organization like yours?

- What other questions should I be asking you?

- Can you suggest other people I should talk to?

- Would you be willing to introduce me to them?

Is your career off-track in some way? If you're considering hiring a coach to help you get back on track, contact me at sharon@stcoach.com for an initial consultation at no charge.

Copyright 2004, Sharon Teitelbaum.

About the author:

Sharon Teitelbaum, a Work-Life and Career Coach , works with high achieving women with young children, people at mid-career, and professionals seeking greater career satisfaction and work-life balance. She coaches by phone and in person in Boston. Getting Unstuck Without Coming Unglued: Restoring Work-Life Balance, Sharon's first book, was published in 2005.