Informational Interviews: An Easy Way to Learn About Your Dream Job in Hospitality

April 2, 2025

So you’ve got your sights set on a career in hospitality — whether it’s working in a hotel, managing events, running outdoor recreation, or serving up great experiences at a restaurant or attraction. So you start Googling, but all you find are vague job descriptions that sound like they were written by a robot (no offense, robots).

If only you could just ask someone who’s already doing it…

Good news: you totally can. That’s what an informational interview is all about.

What’s an Informational Interview?

An informational interview is a chat with someone who’s already doing the kind of work you’re curious about. It’s not a job interview—you’re not trying to land a role. Instead, you’re asking for valuable insights about the job, the industry, and the path they took to get there.

Think of it as asking someone for the behind-the-scenes tour of their career. You’ll get to understand why they have the job they have, how they got there, and what gets them excited about it.

You know, questions you may not want to ask in a real job interview but still really want the answers to.

Why Should You Care?

Let’s be real: informational interviews rarely lead straight to job offers. But that’s honestly not the point. The real magic is in what you gain:

• Insight into what a specific role or industry is really like day-to-day
• An understanding of if this path is going to be interesting to you
• Tips on how to break into the field, especially if you’re just getting started
• Connections you can keep in your back pocket for when the time’s right

In short, informational interviews are the ultimate way to get the inside scoop and start building a network that’ll help you in the long run.

How to Set One Up (it’s easier than you think)

Pick your person

Find someone working in the area you’re curious about. This could be someone at a hotel, a local attraction, an outdoor recreation company, or a restaurant. LinkedIn is a good place to start, but also tap your network—ask teachers, family, or friends if they know anyone in the industry.

Send a short, friendly message

Example:

“Hey [Name], I’m [Your Name], and I’m super interested in [specific career in hospitality]. I’d love to learn more about your role and how you got started. Would you be open to a quick 20-minute chat sometime soon?”

Keep it casual and respectful, but don’t feel weird reaching out like this. Most people are more than happy to share their story if you’re genuinely interested and a quick chat doesn’t put any pressure on them.

Prepare a few key questions

You don’t need to script the whole interview, but a few questions will help guide the chat and keep it focused. Aim for 5 or 6 good ones to keep the convo flowing.

Example Informational Interview Questions

Category 1: Real Talk About the Role

Time to dive into the daily grind of the job. You want to know what the job is really like:

• What does a typical day look like in your role?
• What do you love most about it?
• What’s the toughest part of working in [hotels, events, restaurants, outdoor rec, etc.]?
• How do you know you’re doing a good job? (What are the key metrics?)
• These questions help you get a real sense of whether the job matches your expectations or if it’s time to rethink your plan.

Category 2: How to Get In (and Stand Out)

This is the advice you’ll need to help you take the next steps toward your goal:

• If I’m starting from scratch, what experience should I be looking for?
• What skills are most important in this industry? (And do I have them yet?)
• What advice would you give to someone with my background looking to get into [relevant hospitality field]?
• Any tips on how I can get experience or build skills that would help me stand out?

A Few Extra Tips for Success

Be on time. It shows you respect their time.

Follow up. A quick thank-you note after the conversation goes a long way and gives you the chance to be remembered.

Stay connected. Follow them on LinkedIn, and check in after a few months with an update on how you’re progressing.

Real Talk: You Don’t Have to Have It All Figured Out

Look, you’re not expected to know exactly where you want to end up at 18, 22, or even 30. (Heck, some people change careers in their 40s!) But the more you talk to people working in hospitality, the clearer things will get. You’ll learn what works for you, what excites you, and what doesn’t feel right.

So go ahead—ask those questions, soak in the advice, and keep building those connections. You’re already on the path to figuring it out.

And remember—your curiosity is your superpower. Go use it.