Job Opportunities Through Informational Interviewing
If you're a recent graduate, looking to change careers, or seeking a different job, effective informational interviewing is essential to a successful search.
Richard Nelson Bolles, author of What Color is Your Parachute, originally invented the term. In his book, he refers to it as "trying on jobs to see if they fit you." Most people conduct informational interviews to network and to gather information on a particular job or career. You can find out about the responsibilities, rewards, and problem areas in a specific career by asking questions of people already working in that field.
Since you're not asking for a job, you won't be putting the person on the spot. Additionally, you have a right and responsibility to yourself to seek this information. What you are seeking is information to make a good decision.
What are the reasons for conducting informational interviews?
This should put you more at ease during the interview. Here are some examples of questions you might ask:
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How did you select this career? Describe your career path leading to your current position.
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What background, skills, or experiences are necessary? Are there particular courses I should take?
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What characteristics do achievers in this field share?
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What is your typical day like? Is there overtime, flextime, job-sharing, travel required?
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What is the work environment like? Casual or formal, fast-paced or relaxed? Is it team-oriented or independent work?
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What are the rewards of your work? What are the drawbacks?
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How do you see this field changing in the next 5-10 years? What type of jobs will emerge or be eliminated?
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What professional organizations are helpful to this field as well as journals/magazines?
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What Web sites would be helpful to explore?
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Who else would you recommend that I talk to for information or advice? (Don't forget to ask this question as it helps to expand your network.)
These interviews are great ways to explore careers and clarify your goals while helping you to identify your professional strengths and weaknesses. You can also expand your professional network while getting the most up-to-date career information. Another benefit is that these interviews can build your confidence in preparation for job interviews.
How to Set Up an Informational Interview
The best way to set up interviews is through people you know. It is using the "who-do-you-know" formula. Your universe of friends and acquaintances does not have to be very large to get started. Everyone knows someone who might know someone else who can lead to you the right person.
Another approach is to send a letter requesting an informational interview. If someone does not refer you, there is absolutely nothing wrong with indicating that you're interested in speaking with this person because you read about him/her in a newspaper article, a conference brochure or some other material. In the letter outline why you're contacting this person, what you hope to accomplish, that there is no job expectation and how long the interview will take. (It's best to not ask for more than 20-30 minutes of a person's time for an in person interview and 15-20 minutes if you're setting up a phone interview.) After the letter is sent, follow up with a phone call within a week.
How to Prepare and What to Ask
The best way to prepare is to do research. Use the Web to look up background information on the person and/or the company. Prepare just as you would for an actual job interview. Polish up your presentation and listening skills as well as have an agenda that includes well-thought-out questions.
Follow up after the Informational Interview
Because few people take the time today to say thank you. Don't be one of them. Stand out from the crowd and always follow up immediately by sending a thank you note—not an e-mail but a real handwritten or hand printed note. You should keep records of your discussion, including names, phone numbers, and other essential information. Additionally, afterwards take a few minutes and jot down some notes about your conversation, especially the key points. As you talk to more people, your meeting notes will serve as a source of ideas as well as additional questions. It won't be long before you will feel more comfortable with interviewing and networking. Being more competent in these areas will assist to make your career search a success.
If you're invited to an interview, make sure you write down and repeat back all the details-it's easy to misunderstand or forget information when it is conveyed over the phone. Even if the interviewer begins to close the interview with the line, "We'll be back in touch" an immediate follow up is appropriate with either a thank you note or e-mail. This also gives you the opportunity to mention a skill or ability that you may have failed to mention during the interview. Even if the job doesn't sound right, go the interview; it can give you another opportunity to practice your interviewing skills. You might even discover a more suitable opening elsewhere within that company.
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