This phrasing might not be right for your particular situation. But let me explain the essence of this question with an example: A good friend of mine made a career switch from software engineering to high school teaching. He now cannot imagine doing anything else. I asked where he got the information that convinced him he should make the switch. He said that coaching high school football with his alma mater proved to him that he would enjoy the high school environment and find fulfillment in working with young people. After a season of volunteer coaching, he was able to leave his software job with confidence and start his new career in public education.

If you’re meeting with someone for an informational interview, chances are she works in a career field that you are interested in exploring, or she’s earned a degree that you’re eyeing, or she’s moved from one kind of job to another and you want to learn how she managed it. For all of these things, it’s important to know HOW someone started with an idea, said “Yes this is a good idea for me,” and moved on to action. Was it an intermediate experience (like volunteer coaching before full-time classroom teaching)? Was it observing? Was it talking with a certain person? Was it attending a Meetup event? It’s important to ask because these are the experiences you want to create for yourself.

Source: WBQ Original

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