One of your most valuable tools as a job seeker is an informational interview. Not only is it great for networking, but it’s also a great tool for career exploration and job hunting. People love to talk about themselves and their careers. All you have to do is ask! So making the effort to go out into the “field” and learn about careers straight from the source is definitely worth the time.
Who to Reach Out to
There are really no limits or boundaries when it comes to who you can ask for an informational interview. Start by asking your family and friends. Your brother might be a sales executive, but have you ever talked to him about his job from the perspective of a job seeker? Letting your family and friends know you are looking for connections can help to broaden your network. You might find out your neighbor has a brother who works at a global PR firm or your uncle’s colleague knows an executive at a tech startup. Use these connections! Take a look at your alma mater’s careers page as well. Many universities have a database of alumni in different fields who have offered themselves as resources for recent grads. Check to see if your school has one of these and do a LinkedIn search for specific people or alumni groups.
How to Prepare
Once you land an informational interview, start doing your research. One thing you don’t want to do is waste your time asking basic background questions you could find answers to yourself. Research the company and the interviewee’s background. It’s ok to do some LinkedIn research and have a general idea of their career path. Maybe you’ll find out you have some common interests and can naturally work that into the conversation. It’s not a crime to make people like you and want to help you!
At the Interview
Prepare some insightful questions and be ready to take notes. If you feel comfortable, bring a copy of your resume for the interviewee to look over and critique. Ask for job information, advice, or referrals but please don’t ask for a job!
There are countless questions you can ask and some great guides you can find. Here are some that I’ve found helpful in the past:
10 Smart Questions That Make an Information Interview Valuable
Informational Interviewing: 200 Informational Interview Sample Questions
What to Ask in an Informational Interview
After the Interview
Make sure to send a follow up within a few days after the interview. Thank them for their help and for taking time out of their day. Try to mention something specific they said that was particularly helpful and don’t be afraid to ask them to keep you in mind if they come across any information that could help you in your career search.
Keep in touch and let them know on any new internships or jobs. You are now a part of their network and who knows, you might be giving an informational interview to someone in their network someday soon!
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Taylor Wilson is CareerPlug’s Dedicated Account Specialist.
