An informational interview may not guarantee you a new job, but it can help you learn more about your industry and give you a leg up on the competition. Robin Reshwan--the founder of Collegial Staffing, which specializes in career preparation, on-campus recruiting, and college-graduate placement--has some pointers on how to schedule, conduct, and follow up on an informational interview:
Don't be afraid to ask.
It's normal to be a little shy or nervous about contacting professionals to interview. Don't be. "Requesting an informational interview from someone is a compliment," says Reshwan. Start by making a list of companies in your field and find the best person to speak with at each company. "Your request tells them that you respect their advice and are interested in what they do," she says.
Be prepared.
Properly preparing for your interview is crucial. Reshwan suggests learning all about the company you're meeting with--from the inside out. "Check out their website to understand what they do, and read press releases about the latest news affecting them," she says. Reshwan also recommends signing up for PR alerts and connecting to the company on social networks (such as Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn) so you can be in the loop. "It gives you an opportunity to stay on top of the news and to send your contacts a note if you see something that affects them," she says.
Have questions ready.
At an informational interview, you'll be asking most of the questions. Here are some suggested questions from Reshwan:
- "How did you get started in the business?"
"This is a great 'warmup' topic to build rapport and learn more about the interviewee," she says. The interviewee's reply may also show you how to go about finding a job in that particular industry.
- "Who works with you?"
"The people you work with regularly, rather than the actual tasks in the job description, often define positions more," says Reshwan. "Cleaning the garbage may sound awful, but if it's the garbage in the green room for 'Jimmy Kimmel Live,' it is a completely different job."
- "What trends do you predict for this industry or company?"
"This allows you to learn information not found on the Web and will help you identify areas of opportunity to explore for jobs," Reshwan says. She also recommends this as a question to ask because managers are always looking to hire forward-thinking employees. "Your interest in how the business will evolve and what role you could take will set you apart."
Get tips on how to start
Once you've completed the interview, wrap things up by asking for helpful tips on how to take steps toward the job or career you want. "If you impressed the interviewee by being interested and interesting, she or he may refer you to someone who is hiring," she says. If you can't get a recommendation, Reshwan says to not worry. "At the very least, she or he will recommend next steps for you to take in general."
Always send a thank-you note
As soon as you get home, write a thank-you note to your interviewee for his or her time and advice, as you would for any other interview. "I have found that while most people like to be helpful, everyone loves the recognition for doing so," says Reshwan.
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