Informational Interviews – Book Review

Informational interviews can help you uncover additional resources and opportunities available to you and or Grasp the reality of what a particular job entails.

How to Get a Job & Keep It, 2nd Edition, Ms. Susan Morem

Sharing some tips for Chapter Two and Three

One of the best ways to learn more about a company, industry, or occupation is by talking with people who know first hand what it is like.

Informational interviews can help you:

• Make valuable connections and expand your network

• Gain knowledge and insight about a company or industry

• Uncover additional resources and opportunities available to you

• Grasp the reality of what a particular job entails

The purpose of an informational interview is to obtain information, not a job. However, informational interviews do help generate referrals, and occasionally, may lead to a job offer.

Jay Lipe, author of The Marketing ToolKit for Growing Businesses, recalls scheduling an informational interview that led to an offer. Jay scheduled informational interviews with individuals in fields that he wanted to learn more about. Jay’s intent with these informational interviews was not to get a job. Rather, it was to learn from respected leaders about certain fields.

Do recognize the value of conducting informational interviews and in connecting with others. Every time you talk with someone on the phone or in person, you remind that person about you, increasing the chance that person will think of you when opportunities arise.

Some questions you might ask are:

• How did you get into this line of work?

• What’s the best way to break into this field or industry?

• What is a typical day like?

• What sets your company apart from the competition?

• When hiring, what do you look for in job candidates?

You don’t want to overstay your welcome—informational interviews should be brief. Keep your informational interview to a half an hour or less.

When the interview is over, thank the person for his or her time, leave your resume or card, and get a business card. After the interview, do what you would after any other interview; make notes about the interview and anything you need to follow up on, then write and send a thank you note.