• Pursue your own contacts. People you already know, even if they aren't in fields of interest to you, can lead you to people who are. Ask family, friends, and acquaintances (and their friends and family) if they might know someone who works in the job or career you are interested in.
• Call organizations directly or visit their website for the name of someone working within a particular area of interest. Look for those who are doing work that interests you.  While the Human Resources Department of an organization may seem like a natural or logic target, in this context, you want to talk to people who are actually doing the work that interests you, not the Human Resource Department.
• Read newspaper and magazine articles. Contact professional associations and ask if they are able to refer you to a member who could provide you with helpful information.
• Do an online search for companies working in your industry of choice and locate people within those companies who might be willing to talk to you.
• Search Linkedin for prospects.  Look under “Connections,” to “Find Alumni” for Western grads who are working in occupations and companies which interest you.

• Contact the person by phone, email or letter, and mention how you got his or her name.
• Emphasize that you are looking for information, not a job, and ask for a convenient time to have a 20-30 minute appointment.

• Do some initial research on the career field or employer using internet and print resources. Learn as much about the organization as possible through Internet home pages, trade magazines, and annual reports so that you can find out if you would really like to work for the organization or hold a specific position.
• Craft your Personal Brand Statement as a way to introduce yourself and define the context of the meeting.  Your introduction might include your name, education, your professional experience (paid, unpaid work, volunteer work), your future interests.
• Think of questions you would like to ask during the interview.

Sample questions

These are some common questions which you could use for an informational discussion, but remember, these are only sample questions. Create your own questions based on your own personal situation, the research that you have done, and the information you want to know.

1. On a typical day in this position, what do you do?
2. What are your main responsibilities as a...?
3. What kinds of challenges are you working on?
4. What kinds of decisions do you make?
5. How does your position fit within the organization/industry?
6. What are the challenging components of your job?
7. What do you like best and least about your job?
8. What training or education is required for this type of work?
9. What qualities/characteristics does an individual need to thrive in this career field?
10. What skills are required for a person in this position?
11. Why did you choose to work for this organization?
12. How did you get your job?
13. What entry-level jobs are best for learning as much as possible?
14. What advice would you have for someone wanting to enter this field?
15. What opportunities for advancement/movement are there in this field/organization?
16. How would you describe the work atmosphere?
17. How does your job affect your general lifestyle?
18. What is your best guess as to the future job trends and changes in this field?
19. What current issues and trends in the field should I know about?
20. What are some common career trajectories in this field?
21. How is technology changing this field? How do you expect technology to influence this field in the future?
22. How do you see jobs in this field changing in the future?
23. Is there a demand for people in this occupation?
24. What growth do you foresee in this organization?
25. What other occupations in this industry are similar to yours?
26. Have you considered working in any other industry? If so, which one(s)?
27. What type of training do companies offer persons entering this field?
28. Which professional journals and organizations would help me learn more about this field?
29. What volunteer or internship opportunities exist in your organization?
30. Could you suggest anyone else that works in this area that would be willing to talk to me? May I use your name when I contact them?

• Dress neatly and appropriately as you would for a job interview.
• Be on time or early (which will help familiarize yourself with the surroundings).
• Restate that your objective is to get information and advice.  Don’t mention jobs.
• Remember that you are the guiding/initiating the discussion, so be prepared to start the conversation.
• Listen well and be genuinely interested in what the person has to say.
• Take notes if you'd like.
• Respect the person's time. Keep the appointment length within the time span that you requested.
• Keep in mind that this is an informational discussion, not an employment interview, and, as such, let the individual you are speaking with bring up any discussion of specific job vacancies should they choose to do so.
• Always ask for names of other people to talk to for additional information or a different perspective.
• Ask for a business card and graciously thank them for their time and helpful advice.

• Keep records. Right after the chat write down what you learned (including the suggestions or advice given to you), what more you'd like to know, and your reactions in terms of how this industry, field or position would "fit" with your lifestyle, interests, skills and future career plans.
• Send a  thank you note within 1-2 days to express your appreciation for the time and information given. Based on your assessment of the nature of your informational discussion, whether informal or more business-like, this may be a brief handwritten note or a business letter.
• Keep in touch with the person.  Let him or her know that you followed up on their advice and how things are going as a result. This relationship could become an important part of your network.
• Evaluate the discussion.  Make note of what you would have done differently and make those changes for your next coffee chat/informational discussion.