An informational interview can be an effective way to learn more about a career path by asking people in that respective field about their practical experience. Some specific benefits of conducting an informational interview are: You get career-specific advice. The main benefit of having informational interviews is that the person you're asking questions to is experienced in a particular field and can give you specific advice. This lets you personalize your approach and get relevant information and advice to help your career.  You may get insider information on certain topics. Since informational interviews don't have a specific purpose, like deciding whether a candidate is appropriate for a specific position, both parties can have a slightly more informal approach. This can reveal aspects of an industry that may otherwise be challenging to determine, such as average wages, the number of hours you're likely to work each week and any additional benefits. You can expand your professional network. Informational interviews are an effective way to get acquainted with people who work in a specific industry. Talking with them and taking their contact information helps you expand your relevant professional network. You get to practice interviewing. As you're the one asking the questions, conducting informational interviews can be an effective way of understanding job interviews from the employer's perspective. This can help you improve your approach when attending job interviews.