Making the Most of an Informational Interview

Making the Most of an Informational Interview

 

While looking for a job or exploring a new professional path, it would be a smart move to conduct informational interviews.

Online resources might not always have the most recent and accurate information about a specific sector or job and the most useful information for you might come directly from individuals who work in that field.

What exactly is an informational interview?

An informational interview is a professional tool that can be used to learn more about a job or to explore other career options. These are informal conversations with someone working in a career field that interests you.

Informational interviews are key for learning more about the industry, organisation, or career you are interested in. These are effective research tool and should not be considered as job interviews, instead, the idea is to learn about career opportunities and determine if they align with your interests and personality. This includes contacting experienced experts in the field and holding an informational interview by email or video chats, in person or over the phone.

Reaching out to someone you don't know could feel awkward but most people genuinely like taking a bit of time out of their day to consider their professional life and give advice to someone interested in their industry.

Informational Interviewing could have several advantages as:

-getting direct experience of the reality of working in a specific sector, industry, or position,

-learning about career paths you were unaware existed.

-establishing a professional relationship and broaden your network of contacts in a specific career field and meet people who may refer you to future job opportunities.

-receiving exclusive advice and insights on how to prepare for and secure your dream job.

There are several steps you might want to consider when preparing for an informational interview.

Before the interview:

Start by using online and print resources to conduct some preliminary research on the chosen field or company.

Identify potential candidates. When you decide to start contacting people, there are a few options for approaching them:

You might decide to contact someone you already know. This is the most typical method of networking and arranging an interview. Even if there are a few degrees of separation, it never hurts to call out and ask friends or loved ones if they know someone who might be able to assist.

You might also want to send an email solicitation. This is less common, but if done well, it can be successful. Reaching out through LinkedIn or your college's network of contacts, for example, can be a good method for making contact.

Writing an Informational Interview Email Request:

The ideal informational interview request emails include two components: a clear message about why you are reaching out and a simple request.

Create a hook. Explain why you desire to speak with this person. Perhaps you respect their professional path or perceive analogies between their expertise and yours. Maybe you have a mutual friend? Whatever it is, include it in the email.

Always be considerate. Remember, this individual is placing their task on hold for you, so respect their time and indicate that even 15-20 minutes would be helpful.

Be ready for the interview:

draft a brief introduction of yourself and your intentions for the meeting.

Make a list of precise questions to ask: They should be relevant to the industry, role, or firm. You shouldn't expect on the person you're meeting with to initiate or control the conversation. It is your responsibility to choose exactly what you desire to ask.

Prepare your questions:

Sort the questions by category instead of using a long list in no order. Here are some ideas for blocs:

• In general, the industry/field
• Working culture Work-life balance
• Their individual role and responsibilities

Make clear that your goal is to gather information and guidance, not a job.

After the meeting:

Expand your network. Once the meeting concludes, ask for referrals for a few additional people who you might discuss the position or sector with.

Keep track. Write down what you learned, what you'd like to know more about, and the next steps you intend to take.

Maintain contact with the person, especially if you had a very pleasant conversation; inform them that you followed up on their recommendations and the outcome. This person has the potential to become an essential component of your network.

Informational interviews are an excellent method to go above and beyond the standard job hunt techniques.

A successful informational interview can result in a job referral or suggestion, but don't be concerned if the conclusion isn't what you expected. Job hunting is a journey, and with each informational interview, you get closer to finding the best position for you.

What to do if you receive an informational interview request:

If you're wondering whether you should accept an informational interview at all, the quick answer is generally "yes." You may not be able to fulfil every request for an informational interview, but if you have 15-30 minutes extra in your schedule, it can be enjoyable to advise a job seeker on what it's truly like to work in your sector.

Agreeing to informational interviews is a great way to pass on all your acquired expertise to people who might benefit from it. Remember, an informational interview is not a job interview. You are not expected to provide anything other than your knowledge and expertise.

Make sure the informational interview is relevant and worth your time.

Set the tone. define objectives for what the job seeker will benefit from the interview. In preparation, request questions and topics that will be covered. It's annoying to commit to an informational interview just to be asked basic questions that can be found on Google.

If they do return with basic questions, ask if they can elaborate and be as precise as they can. Plan it around your agenda. If your schedule is tight, it's acceptable to say, "I'm sorry; I won't be able to meet over lunch or coffee, but I can chat to you over the phone."

 

For support or career advice, check out our resources:

• view the latest vacancies at Gazette Jobs, where you can sign up for job alerts and upload your CV
• read our comprehensive career development advice
• visit our careers YouTube channel to find videos which cover common career queries.