Professional Services Media

How to get a job at Informa

20 real interview questions, insider tips on the hiring process, and what Informa actually looks for. Most people read about it. Very few practise for it.

London, UK 18,000+ 3.6/5/5 Glassdoor
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Your question

Tell me about yourself and what makes you a strong candidate for this role.

30s preparation 2 min recording Camera + mic

About Informa

Company overview

Informa is a leading global provider of events, research, and content services to professional and specialist markets. Headquartered in London, Informa operates conferences, exhibitions, research platforms, and professional publishing serving multiple industries.

Informa serves over 1,000 markets through events, research, and digital content. The company connects professionals, facilitates knowledge sharing, and drives business growth across sectors.

Informa is committed to creating valued communities and delivering insights that drive business decisions.

Inside the company

Culture & values at Informa

Informa cultivates a culture of market connection, expertise, and audience focus. The organisation values deep industry knowledge and understanding customer needs. Employees are committed to building valuable professional communities.

Innovation in events and digital engagement is encouraged. Diversity and inclusion are strategic priorities. The company values collaboration and business impact.

Why people want to work here

Join Informa to work on connecting professionals and facilitating knowledge sharing across industries. You'll contribute to developing events, research, and digital platforms serving professional communities. The company offers opportunities in event management, digital strategy, research, sales, and operations. You'll develop expertise in professional services and community building.

What to expect

Working at Informa

Most roles at Informa are office-based or hybrid, with teams typically splitting time between their London, UK offices and remote working. The day usually starts with team stand-ups or check-ins, followed by focused project work. Collaboration is a significant part of the role — expect cross-functional meetings, client interactions, and working alongside colleagues from different departments throughout the day. The rhythm varies by team, but most people find a mix of heads-down work and collaborative sessions. Peak periods (month-end, quarter-end, project deadlines) can mean longer hours, but the day-to-day pace is generally manageable.

With 18,000+ employees, Informa is large enough to offer diverse teams, specialisms, and career paths, but not so large that individual contributions go unnoticed. You'll typically work within a team of 6–15 people with clear reporting lines and regular feedback loops. Cross-team collaboration is common, and most people find they build a strong professional network within their first year.

The culture at Informa shapes how the day feels beyond just the work itself. Colleagues describe the environment as one that values Industry Knowledge and Customer Focus. Lunch breaks, team socials, and informal catch-ups are part of the rhythm — Informa recognises that building relationships across the organisation is as important as the deliverables themselves. Most employees report that the people are one of the best things about working here, and that the team dynamic makes challenging work feel manageable.

The hiring journey

Informa interview process

Informa's interview process assesses industry knowledge, customer focus, and business acumen. The process reflects Informa's commitment to connecting professionals.

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

Your CV and relevant experience are reviewed. Industry knowledge and customer focus are valued.

2

Phone Screening

30 minutes

Initial conversation with recruiter about background and interest in professional services.

3

Department Interview

45-60 minutes

Meeting with hiring manager to discuss relevant experience and approach.

4

Case Study or Project Discussion

1-2 hours

For strategic roles, discussion of relevant case or project experience.

5

Team Interview

45 minutes

Meeting with team members to assess collaboration and fit.

6

Final Interview

30-45 minutes

For senior roles, leadership interview.

The process typically takes 5-8 weeks from application to offer.

Insider tips

Research Informa's events and market sectors. Demonstrate understanding of professional communities and B2B markets. Be prepared to discuss event strategy or digital engagement experience. Show awareness of industry knowledge and networking. Articulate ideas about connecting professionals.

Your game plan

How to prepare for your Informa interview

Informa's interview process typically takes The process typically takes 5-8 weeks from application to offer.. Starting your preparation 4 weeks ahead gives you enough time to research thoroughly, build strong examples, and practise until your answers feel natural rather than rehearsed. Candidates who prepare systematically consistently outperform those who wing it — and interviewers can always tell the difference.

4 weeks before

Research Informa thoroughly — read their annual report, recent press coverage, and leadership interviews. Understand their position in media & publishing and any challenges or opportunities they're facing. Follow Informa on LinkedIn and note the type of content they share — this reveals what they're proud of and where they're heading. Start reviewing the 6 stages of their interview process so you know exactly what to expect at each step. Identify anyone in your network who works or has worked at Informa and reach out for an informal conversation.

3 weeks before

Prepare 8-10 STAR examples from your experience that demonstrate Industry Knowledge, Customer Focus, Event or Digital Expertise. These should be specific, quantified stories you can adapt to different questions — don't just prepare one example per quality, because interviewers often ask follow-ups or probe the same competency from different angles. If you're applying for Event Manager or Product Manager role, make sure your examples are directly relevant to that function. Start practising answering questions out loud — silent preparation and written notes aren't enough, because the interview requires you to articulate your thoughts clearly under pressure.

2 weeks before

Do a full mock interview covering Informa's typical question types — common, behavioural, and technical. Time your answers (aim for 2-3 minutes per STAR response — shorter feels thin, longer loses the interviewer's attention). Research your interviewers on LinkedIn if you know who they are — understanding their background can help you tailor your examples. Prepare 4-5 thoughtful questions to ask at the end of each stage. Good questions show you've done your research: ask about team challenges, upcoming projects, or how the role contributes to Informa's strategy.

Final week

Review and refine your STAR examples — tighten any that felt long or unfocused during practice. Check Informa's news and social media for anything published in the last few days (being able to reference something current shows genuine, ongoing interest). Confirm logistics — location, format (video or in-person), dress code, who you're meeting, and how long to allow. Prepare a printed copy of your CV, the job description, and your question list. Plan your route if in-person. The night before, focus on rest rather than last-minute cramming — confidence and composure matter as much as preparation.

Stand out from the crowd

What Informa looks for

Industry Knowledge

Understanding of professional markets and industry dynamics relevant to business.

Customer Focus

Ability to understand professional customer needs and develop solutions.

Event or Digital Expertise

Relevant experience in event management, digital strategy, or professional services.

Community Building

Understanding of how to build and engage professional communities.

Business Acumen

Understanding of business objectives and how to drive commercial outcomes.

Get through the door

How to apply to Informa

Start by studying Informa's careers page and current openings carefully. Tailor your CV to mirror the language they use in job descriptions — media & publishing employers use applicant tracking systems that scan for specific keywords, and generic applications get filtered out before a human sees them. If you're applying for Event Manager, Product Manager, Customer Success Manager, research what each role involves at Informa specifically, not just the job title in general.

If you're early in your career, look for entry-level or junior positions on Informa's careers page. Some roles may not be advertised externally, so networking through LinkedIn and industry events can surface opportunities before they're posted publicly. Consider whether Informa offers internships or work experience placements as a route in — many professional services media employers use these as a pipeline for permanent roles.

Before submitting your application, research Informa's recent news, strategy, and any public statements from leadership. Mentioning something specific in your cover letter — a recent project, a company initiative, or a strategic direction — signals that you've done your homework and aren't sending the same application to every professional services media employer. Referrals from current employees significantly increase your chances of getting an interview, so connect with people at Informa on LinkedIn and attend any open days or recruitment events they run.

With 18,000+ employees, Informa has a large alumni network. Search LinkedIn for former employees now working elsewhere — they can offer candid insights about the interview process, team culture, and what it's really like to work there. Current employees are also worth connecting with, but former employees tend to be more frank.

Mistakes candidates make

  • 1Submitting a generic CV that doesn't reference Informa or media & publishing-specific experience — tailored applications are significantly more likely to get past initial screening. Mirror the language from the job description and quantify your achievements.
  • 2Failing to research Informa's values, recent news, and strategic direction before the interview — interviewers can tell immediately when a candidate hasn't prepared beyond reading the About page on the website.
  • 3Not preparing concrete STAR examples that demonstrate Industry Knowledge and Customer Focus — Informa uses competency-based interviewing, so vague answers like "I'm a team player" without specific situations, actions, and measurable outcomes will score poorly.
  • 4Underestimating the preparation timeline — Informa's process typically takes The process typically takes 5-8 weeks from application to offer., and the best candidates start preparing weeks in advance. Last-minute cramming shows in your answers.
  • 5Neglecting to ask thoughtful questions at the end of each interview stage — generic questions like "what's the culture like?" waste your chance to demonstrate genuine curiosity about Informa and the specific role.
  • 6Applying to multiple roles at Informa simultaneously without tailoring each application — recruiters notice this, and it signals that you're not genuinely interested in any specific position.

Real questions asked

Informa interview questions

20 questions sourced from real Informa candidates. Practise answering them out loud before your interview.

  • 1Tell us about your experience in professional services or events.
  • 2How do you approach understanding professional customer needs?
  • 3What excites you about Informa and professional markets?
  • 4Describe your experience with event strategy or digital platforms.
  • 5Tell us about a successful event or community initiative.
  • 6How do you think about connecting professionals and creating value?
  • 7What trends in professional services or events interest you?
  • 8Tell us about your experience in relevant industry sectors.

Your career here

Growth & development at Informa

Career progression at Informa follows a relatively clear path for most roles. Promotions typically depend on demonstrating increased responsibility, deeper expertise, and leadership capability — whether that's leading teams, managing clients, or driving technical innovation. The organisation values both specialist depth and the ability to take on broader management responsibilities, so there are usually multiple progression routes available. Don't assume you need to move into management to advance — many professional services media organisations increasingly recognise and reward technical and specialist career paths.

Informa invests in structured learning and development programmes, including access to training courses, conferences, and professional certifications. Many employees report that the L&D budget is generous and genuinely encouraged — not just a line in the benefits package that nobody actually uses. Whether it's technical upskilling, leadership development, or industry certifications, there's real support for continuous learning. While formal mentoring programmes may vary across departments, the culture generally encourages learning from more experienced colleagues. Building relationships with senior team members is one of the most effective ways to accelerate your development — seek out people whose career trajectory you admire and ask them for advice regularly.

For media & publishing professionals, Informa offers exposure to projects and challenges that build a strong CV whether you stay long-term or move on after a few years. The skills and experience you gain — particularly around Industry Knowledge and Customer Focus — are transferable across the professional services media sector and beyond. Internal mobility is possible for strong performers, with opportunities to move between teams, departments, or even locations as your career develops. Many senior leaders at Informa started in entry-level or early-career positions, which speaks to the genuine career development opportunities available.

Compensation

Salary & benefits at Informa

Competitive salary ranging from £22,000 for entry-level roles to £110,000+ for senior event and strategic leadership. Salaries vary by role and experience.

Notable benefits

Pension scheme
Flexible working and hybrid options
25 days holiday plus bank holidays
Healthcare package
Life assurance
Professional development and training
Mental health and wellbeing support
Parental leave and family support
Event and conference attendance support
Employee discounts on Informa events

Frequently asked questions

What events and markets does Informa serve?

Informa operates 1,000+ events and serves multiple professional markets including technology, life sciences, finance, and other sectors. The company facilitates knowledge sharing and professional connections across industries.

How is Informa adapting to virtual and hybrid events?

Informa has invested heavily in digital and hybrid event delivery. The company offers virtual and hybrid formats alongside physical events to serve professional audiences globally.

What digital platforms does Informa operate?

Informa operates research platforms, professional communities, and content services. The company is expanding digital offerings and community engagement across professional markets.

Does Informa support career development?

Yes, Informa provides professional development, training, and mentoring. The company supports continuous learning and career advancement.

What is the workplace culture?

Informa's culture is focused on customer success, professional community building, and business growth. The company values collaboration, expertise, and customer focus.

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