Informational Interview Rubric

Purpose
The purpose of this assignment is to:

Help you gain practical insight into the steps required to be successful in a field of interest to you;

Provide an opportunity for you to examine leadership styles first-hand;

Build your verbal and written communication skills;

Help you develop confidence in interacting with accomplished professionals;

Provide opportunities for you to develop professional contacts in your field of interest.

Category Target Acceptable Unacceptable

Selects an appropriate
interviewee
Student provides a clear Student provides a clear It is not clear why the
rationale for his/her choice of rationale for his/her choice of student selected the
interviewee. The student interviewee. interviewee.
demonstrates a link between
his/her choice of interviewee
and the Individual Development
Plan.

Demonstrates Student is able to articulate new
increased knowledge or insight gained
understanding of a through the interview about
field or profession of his/her field of interest. Student
interest reflects on what it takes to be
successful in the target field.
Student analyzes how this
insight supports or contradicts
his/her long-term vision
described in the Individual
Development Plan.
Student is able to articulate
new knowledge or insight
gained through the interview
about his/her field of interest.
Some connection is made
with the Individual
Development Plan
The student simply
recounts what
happened in the
interview and does not
demonstrate any new
knowledge or insight
gained.

Assessment of Student reflects on his/her Student reflects on his/her Little to no self-

preparation for the
interview and how the
interview was
conducted
preparation for the interview.
Student sets clearly defined
goals for the interview. Student
assesses his/her communication
style during the interview.
Identifies elements of the
interview that were effective,
and areas that needed
improvement.
preparation for the interview.
Student’s goals are defined
for the interview. Student
assesses his/her
communication style during
the interview.
reflection. Goals for the
interview are not clear.
No analysis of the way
in which the student
conducted the
interview.

1
The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars
 Examination of Student is able to identify the
leadership styles and interviewee’s leadership style or
effectiveness approach and analyzes how
specifically the individual has
achieved success through the use
of this style. Student reflects
upon how he/she might
incorporate this style or
approach to leadership in his/her
own growth.
Writing style, grammar The student’s writing is clear
and overall and concise. The length is
organization appropriate. Grammar,
punctuation and spelling are
correct. The essay is well-
organized and easy to follow.
2
The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminar
Student identifies the
interviewee’s leadership
style and analyzes how
specifically the individual
has achieved success through
the use of this style.
The student’s writing is clear
and concise. Grammar,
punctuation and spelling are
correct. The essay is well-
organized.
Student is not able to
discuss or comment
upon the interviewee’s
leadership style.
The student’s writing is
not clear or concise.
There are grammatical
and spelling mistakes.