Gaining Insights: Informational Interviews & Networking

In our Wages and Market Info post, we talked about resources like career videos and real job postings — but if you really want to understand what a career pivot might look like, nothing beats having a conversation with someone who's already doing the job. And yes, we know reaching out to strangers might feel awkward, but you'd be surprised by how many people are willing to help and share advice.

Informational interviews (or "coffee chats") help you go beyond surface-level research. The internet's great, but a LinkedIn post won't tell you exactly what it's like to work somewhere (and let's be honest, half of them were probably written by AI). For career changers, these conversations offer realistic, insider insights into three key areas:

1. Realistic Job Previews

   You'll get a clearer perspective of what day-to-day work looks like — even the unglamorous parts that the buzzword-heavy job postings won't tell you. Asking people about how they got to their current position can also give you ideas for your own path that you hadn't considered.

   
   

2. Understanding Market Trends

   A good contact can share what's happening in the industry, which roles are in demand, and which companies are hiring (and maybe even their interview processes). You can tailor your job applications more effectively (if you're ready to make your move) and figure out whether a company's culture and work environment would be a good fit.

   
   

3. Identifying Which Skills Matter

   You'll hear which skills or certifications are required or nice-to-haves. This kind of insight will help you assess your transferable skills and which gaps you might need to close before making your move to a new field.

It's not about asking for a job, but gut-checking your dream before you go all in.

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