One of the many tools available to job seekers that few people know about or consider using is the informational interview. Not intended to actually land a job, an informational job interview is strictly a fact-finding mission.
For job seekers who are considering a career change or are still wrestling with what career path to take, here is some important information about how they can use informational interviews to help them in their quest.
What is an informational Interview?
Informational interviews are not only a great networking tool, they are a wonderful way of investigating a career that someone may want to pursue. Unlike a conventional job interview, an informational interview is one where job seekers are there strictly to gather details about a specific career field and/or industry and to ask advice, all in an effort to determine if this is the career path they want to follow.
The intent is for job seekers to gather further information about the field, expand their professional network, and to seek advice about how or why they might pursue this career path. By speaking with someone already doing the job they believe they want to do, job seekers can gain insight into the road that lay ahead.
This useful tool should be used by anyone changing careers or just starting out, to ensure they have a complete understanding of what they are likely to encounter on the job. And while there is a lot of information in books and on the Internet about different careers and industries, nothing is quite like the information job seekers can get from speaking with someone face-to-face.
How Does an Informational Interview Work?
To arrange an informational interview, begin by finding someone who works in an industry or position of interest. Job seekers can find a good interview subject by asking friends and family members, checking with alumni or professional associations, seeking out previous school instructors or through other networking resources they may have.
Once they have identified someone to interview, the next step is to contact that person, introduce themselves, mention who referred them, explain the purpose of their call and ask to arrange time to interview them by phone or in person. Don’t be afraid of rejection. It happens. Not everyone will be willing to take the time to talk about his career.
Keep in mind that an informational interview is very similar to a regular job interview in many ways and whether it is over the phone or face to face, it is important to prepare properly. This includes dressing and acting appropriately, being polite and on time, and thanking the person afterwards. Most informational interviews last between 20 and 30 minutes depending on the interviewee’s availability.
Job seekers should also prepare a list of questions before the informational interview. They might want to ask interviewees about things such as how they got into the field, the education and work experience requirements, what they like and don’t like about their career or industry, where they would recommend getting more information, any opportunities for advancement, and what a typical day is like.
The whole idea behind an informational interview is to explore as much as possible about a potential field or industry of interest in order to decide if it might be the right career path. And by talking to those in the know, job seekers can get a better understanding of what their career choice might offer.
Deborah S. Hildebrand - Deborah S. Hildebrand is a freelance writer & HR consultant with 20+ years in human resources & a Bachelor's degree in Business.
Join the Conversation