Your Guide to an Informational Interview
[image error]If you’re searching for a job – either at the beginning of your career or later – an informational interview can be a useful engagement.
No one really teaches you how to build your professional network, in school or on the job, but the ability to mix and mingle is especially important in a career. Studies have shown consistently that networking is the top means by which jobseekers find employment. In fact, a recent survey found that 41% of respondents found their jobs through professional networking. And while internet job boards and social networking might be more common, they’re less successful, accounting for just 29% of new jobs combined.
I recently attended a professional development panel discussion hosted by New York’s Center for Communication. The panel featured senior-level folks in the communications industry, discussing how they got their feet in the door and how they evaluate new hires. All suggested that an informational interview can be a technique to advance your career.
Based on what the executives had to say, here’s how to arrange an informational interview and shine throughout the process.
Wait, What’s an Informational Interview?
As the name suggests, an informational interview is a professional meeting between you and someone in the field with whom you’d like to work – or even at a company where you’d like a job. The purpose of the interview is to learn from the conversation without any expectation of a job offer at the end of the meeting. This isn’t the time to convince someone that you’re just what their company needs, but if they feel so persuaded, then so be it. Overall, the executives agree that the informational interview is a great way to meet people in the beginning of your career and also to engage members of your industry if you’re a mid-career professional.
Arranging the Meeting
An informational interview should be a no-pressure situation. There’s no job at stake and, because a company doesn’t have to be hiring for you to visit, you should aim high in selecting individuals to interview. LinkedIn proves to be a useful directory in identifying key figures within organizations. Find someone with your dream job or who’s a leading voice in your industry and reach out via email. If you can find a mutual contact to arrange the metting, even better. Keep messages brief and to the point. It’s likely you’ll be contacting a stranger so attempt to break through their junk mail with a eye-catching subject line. A suggestion: include their name and your ask in the subject. For example, “Farnoosh, Informational Interview?” An offer of coffee or lunch in the body of the email could sweeten the deal.
Asking the Right Questions
Good news: you won’t be on the hot seat. When someone agrees to meeting with you, they’re expressing some interest to share their time and insight. Make the best of it by asking all the questions that you’re too eager or nervous during job interviews to ask. You shine brightest by conveying genuine curiosity and a grasp of issues in your industry. According to a guide by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an informational interview should last between 20 and 30 minutes. In that time, you can really learn a lot. Ask questions like, “What’s an average day like in your position,” “What are the major challenges of your job” and “Where do you see the industry going?” Remember, the goal is to gain insight but also establish a rapport. Don’t be shy about sharing a bit about your goals and root your questions in your professional interests. For a little help, there are sample interview questions available online through MBA.com, CareerBuilder and even the career services department at MIT
Sealing the Deal
At the end of the meeting, express your gratitude for the willingness of this person to meet. It’s not every day people give a stranger time out of their busy workday so follow up with a handwritten “thank you” note within two days of your appointment. Before leaving the meeting, however, see if you can get a little assist by asking if your interviewee might know someone else willing to meet with you. Finally, stay in touch. Connect on LinkedIn and and send messages periodically to touch base. If the interview went well, you’ll hopefully stay in their mind and rise to the top of it when opportunities open up.
Photo Courtesy, Victor1558.
