About Informational Interviewing
So, you’re looking for a job but not sure what you want to do. One of the ways to learn about business and find out about available jobs in the private sector is to arrange for informational interviews.
One of the biggest challenges I hear from retiring or separating military professionals is “I have no idea what I’m going to do next, but I know I need to do something.” While we are good consumers of private sector products and services and many of us have managed large budgets in military service, we have little experience with the processes and language of business and our circle of friends and associates normally doesn’t include civilian business leaders. Hence, the importance of informational interviewing.
An informational interview is a way to learn about business, practice speaking with others, polish your interview techniques and collect information about various career fields. An informational interview is not a job interview, it’s an opportunity to network, to meet business leaders, to get known in the community.
An informational interview is an opportunity to:
- Expand your professional network
- Obtain information about various career fields
- Define your personal career goals
- Improve your interviewing skills
- Gather information about various industries
- Practice marketing yourself
- Obtain additional leads to other hiring managers
How do you get started?
1. Research the company and the person you would like to meet—use Google, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
2. Ask someone in your personal network to make the initial introduction. Referrals are a great way to get in the door.
3. When making the telephone call to set the appointment, confirm the person’s job title and state specifically that you are interested in learning more about their company and industry. Ask for 20 or 30 minutes at a convenient time.
4. Develop a 30-second script about yourself and why you are contacting the individual.
5. Meet the person at a time and place of their choosing. Make it easy for them, not for you.
6. Dress appropriately for the location and arrive a few minutes early.
7. Take notes. Later, you can compare information received from different sources.
8. Always send a hand-written thank you note after the informational interview.
9. If you meet for coffee or lunch, offer to pay. After all, you asked for the meeting.
While your ultimate mission is to get a job, you first need to build a relationship and demonstrate you are someone who can be counted on to do any job. Always ask for a referral so you can contact others—use these interviews as an opportunity to learn and expand your network.
Most successful job hunters identified what they wanted to do based upon personal research before they began their job search. Informational interviewing helps you clarify your career goals and identify the particular organizations, industries, and positions that are most suited to your specific skills, abilities, personality, and values.
Expanding your professional network is not only critical to finding that dream job, it’s also critical for you to be successful in your new career. People do business with people they know and trust—people they would like to be associated with both personally and professionally.
Informational interviewing is a way to learn about other professions, expand your network and build new relationships. Prepare carefully for each meeting. Leaving a good impression is critical to success. Remember, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.
