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Learn about how an informational interview should be an integral part of your networking and job-hunting plan.

An informational interview involves talking with people who are currently working in the field to gain a better understanding of an occupation or industry -- and to build a network of contacts in that field.

Richard Bolles, author the enduring classic book on job-hunting, What Color is Your Parachute, writes about this tutorial on his Website: "Another Quintcareers home run. One of the best & most complete articles (actually, it is a series of articles) on the subject available."

This tutorial is organized in the following manner:

 

 

 

 

 

Here's a startling statistic: One out of every 200 resumes (some studies put the number as high as 1,500 resumes) results in a job offer. One out of every 12 informational interviews, however, results in a job offer. That's why informational interviewing is the ultimate networking technique, especially considering that the purpose of informational interviewing is not to get job offers. Job offers just happen to be a delightful side benefit to this valuable practice.

 

Informational interviewing is just what it sounds like -- interviewing designed to produce information. What kind of information? The information you need to choose or refine a career path, learn how to break in and find out if you have what it takes to succeed. Informational interviewing is an expanded form of chatting with your network contacts. It's the process of spending time with one of your network contacts in a highly focused conversation that provides you with key information you need to launch or boost your career.

 

The term "informational interviewing" was invented by Richard Nelson Bolles, author of the best-selling career guide of all time, What Color Is Your Parachute? Bolles refers to the process as "trying on jobs to see if they fit you." He notes that most people screen jobs and companies after they've already taken a job, while informational interviewing gives you the opportunity to conduct the screening process before accepting a position.

 

An informational interview is not the same as a job interview by any means, but it is probably the most effective form of networking there is. Terry Carles, a student recruitment counselor at Valencia Community College reports, "I teach Career Development, and my students are required to do an informational interview. Every semester, someone returns with a job, internship, etc., from their experience. One student completed an informational interview with a network administrator, and returned the next week with a $23,000 a year job offer."

 

When you are considering entering or changing to a certain career path, it just makes all kinds of sense to talk to people in that field. Yet most people never do. They trust their professors, textbooks, or romantic notions about professions gleaned from TV or movies. When you really think about it, you miss out on an incredible opportunity if you fail to research your career field by talking to people in it.

 

The best way to learn what you really want in a career is to talk with the people in that career field. Because of the exploratory nature of informational interviews, they are particularly effective for those, such as college students, who are just embarking on their careers. They are also an excellent tool for career-changers who want to find out what's involved in the career they are considering entering. Even for those who don't wish to change careers but do want to change jobs, informational interviews can be a helpful way of discovering what working for other companies would be like.

 
Potential Results of Informational Interviews

 

You accomplish several things when you go out on informational interviews:

 

 

Following are some good reasons to conduct informational interviews:

You gain invaluable interviewing experience and you gain visibility. In short, informational interviewing prepares you for what's in store and allows you the opportunity to network with others in your field of interest.

 

Talking with family, friends or anyone with whom you feel comfortable should reduce the anxiety you may feel about interviewing.

 

Guidelines for Informational Interviews

 

The following are some guidelines for informational interviews: 

Identify an Occupation(s) for Informational Interviews

 

Identify one or more occupations you would like to investigate. Assess your own interests, abilities, values, and skills, and evaluate labor conditions and trends to identify the best fields to research. Read all you can about the field before the interview.

 

Decide what information you would like to obtain about the occupation/industry.

 

Prepare a list of questions that you would like to have answered. Find out as much information as you can about each place before setting up an interview.

 

 

 

Start with lists of people you already know: friends, fellow students, present or former co-workers, supervisors, neighbors, etc. Professional organizations, the yellow pages from the phone book, organizational directories, and public speakers are also good resources. You may also call an organization and ask for the name of the person by job title. There's no one in the world who you can't try contacting. People like to help students out with job information. One student whose dream job was to run a Fortune 500 company called the president of Levi Strauss & Co., asked for an informational interview, and got it.

 

To find a working professional, go to your college career center or alumni office and ask for a list of people who are working in the field that interests you. Locate alumni, people you've read about, or people your parents know.

 

You should be prepared. Research the organization, person you'll be speaking with, product produced by the organization, etc. If your contact is an alumnus/alumna, look him/her up in the Alumni Office's biographical material (Be aware, however, that Stetson's alumni office gives out limited, if any information). Try easily accessible periodicals, such as local and large metropolitan newspapers.

 

The more you know, the better you'll be able to formulate questions pertaining to the organization and job. The more knowledge you have, the more confident you will feel about your ability to communicate effectively. Write to organizations for brochures and pamphlets for additional information. Ask yourself what it is you want to know and then figure out who has an investment in knowing that sort of information. Use the university library.

 

 

 

Don't mix informational interviewing with job seeking. Employers will grant informational interviews when they firmly trust that you will not hit them up for a job. The minute you begin trying to get a job, the employer will feel misled. If you discover a job that you do want to apply for during the interview, wait until the informational interview is over. The next day, call the employer and tell your contact that the informational interview not only confirmed your interest in the field, but also made you aware of a position that you would like to formally apply for.

 

Sometimes the interviewee may offer you an internship or job. It's happened on numerous occasions. Many people have conducted informational interviews and have done nothing but ask questions and yet have been offered employment. What do you do if they offer you an internship or job? If it sounds good, take it! Suddenly your life changes in an instant!

 

The typical job searcher is going around asking for a job instead of asking questions to find out more about the job and the employer. A job searcher needs to know the basics about the employer and what the company is about. The fact that you are seeking only information will help set you apart from the hundreds of others who are walking in asking for jobs and being told no. Approach the employer with the attitude that you are seeking career advice. It is, therefore, usually a good idea to set up an informational interview with a resource person before there is an actual job opening in your area of interest. Most managers and supervisors feel uneasy or uncomfortable talking with a potential candidate when the organization is actively recruiting to fill the position.

 

However, you may find it helpful for future reference to find out the name of the manager or the person who does the hiring. (Be sure the information you get is accurate!)

 

 

 

Ask only those questions that are appropriate and important to you. You will convey your motivation and interest to the employer by acknowledging that the information the interviewee is giving you is important.

 

A list of suggested questions can be found a little later in this tutorial.

 

 

 

Contact the resource person preferably by telephone or letter. You can also try to have someone who knows the interviewer make the appointment for you.

 

 

 

 

An introductory letter, written much like a cover letter without the job pitch, is a great way to get your name out there. Although an introductory letter should be typed, neat printing is acceptable. Your letter should include:

 

 

Here's a sample cover letter requesting an informational interview.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If someone has referred you to another person for an informational interview, consider a letter, such as this sample referral letter requesting an informational interview.

 

 

Here's a sample referral cover letter requesting an informational interview.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

People who grant informational interviews are generally willing to share 20-30 minutes of their time to explain their expertise in their field. Please remember to be flexible in your scheduling, as these volunteer interviewees may have prior commitments.  If your prospective interviewee seems too busy to talk to you, ask a convenienttime when you could call back to discuss scheduling an appointment. Although there are many techniques to requesting the informational interview, the following are good approaches:

"Hello, my name is ________________________.  I'm conducting career research in your field. I would like to meet and talk with you for about 30 minutes so that I can find out more about your field of expertise."

 

"Hi, my name is ______________________ and I'm a student at _______. I got your name from ________________.  You're in a line of work that I'm interested in, and I was hoping that you could help me gain insights into the profession. I'm sure that my questions could be answered in a 20-30-minute informational interview."

 

If you prefer to arrange an appointment in person and cannot get past the front desk, treat receptionists as resources. They hold the key to getting inside the unit or section ofthat organization if you do not already have an inside contact or referral. Ask them some of your questions. You will usually get good information.

 

Receptionists and other support staff know much more about their company than we often realize. They know how it works, the names of key people, job requirements, etc. It is important that they understand what you want. If you ask them something that they feel could be more fully answered by someone else, they will usually give you a referral.

 

You can use your own creativity, but the most important thing is to emphasize that you are simply trying to get first-hand information, and whatever they share with you will be appreciated.

 

Most of the time, your prospective interviewee will be more than willing to take 20-30 minutes to answer your questions. Sometimes the person will want to talk over the phone, but often he or she will invite you to his or her workplace. When you can, choose that the interview be at their workplace because you'll learn more and make a stronger connection with the person.

 

You may want to schedule some of your interviews with managers and supervisors who have the authority to hire.

 

Identify yourself and explain that you are researching careers in the contact's field, and that you obtained the person's name from ____________________(if you were referred).

 

 

 

For an informational interview to be truly effective, you can't just go into it blindly.

 

Thorough company research is an absolute necessity when you go on a regular job interview. You don't have to do quite as much research for an informational interview, but some degree of research will greatly enhance the quality of informational interviews. If you are informed about the company, you'll be able to ask more intelligent and relevant questions. You'll respond thoughtfully to information and any questions the interviewee might put to you. You won't ask questions that could easily have been answered by doing your homework.

 

A number of great resources are available for company research, many of them right at your fingertips on the Internet. Two excellent resources that walk you through the whole process of company research are the Quintessential Careers Guide to Researching Companies site and their Step-by-Step Guide to Researching Companies.

 

Other resources include:

 

 

The day before the interview,call to confirm your appointment with the contact person. If you have questions regarding the location of the contact’s office, this is the time to ask. Plan to arrive 10 minutes early for your interview.

 

Carry a small notebook and pen. Be polite and professional. Refer to your list of prepared questions; stay on track, but allow for spontaneous discussion.

 

 

 

Because 90 percent of all jobs are never advertised, you will uncover job openings that never make it to the newspaper or employment office. Thus, be prepared to make a good impression and to be remembered by the employer.

 

Dress as you would for a regular job interview.

 

 

 

Pretend you are a reporter. You don't need to write down everything, but there may be names, phone numbers or other information that you may want to remember.

 

Be enthusiastic and show interest. Employ an informal dialogue during the interview. Be direct and concise with your questions and answers and do not ramble. Have good eye contact and posture. Be positive in your remarks, and reflect a good sense of humor.

 

 

 

Bring a copy of your resume along with you. Try to find out about specific characteristics or qualifications that employers seek when hiring. If you feel comfortable doing so, you may ask the person you are interviewing to critique your resume.

 

 

 

You have arrived and are greeted by the individual at the front desk. When the interviewee comes out to meet you, introduce yourself. Thank your contact for his or her willingness to meet with you, and re-emphasize that you are there to learn and gather information about his or her career field. Use an informal dialogue during the interview.

 

Below are some typical informational interview questions. Remember that you won't have time to ask anywhere nearly all of these questions, so target the ones you feel will be most useful to you personally. Pick a dozen or so that get at what you most want to know.

 

Feel free to skip some -- even most -- of these questions or to substitute questions of your own -- as long as you don't come off sounding like you're there for a job interview.

 

You may want to get permission from your interviewees to tape-record the conversations, but be aware that transcribing taped conversations can be very time-consuming. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The whole interview could be spent finding answers to the dozen or so questions you decide to ask. But as you practice and move further toward your target, questions will probably pop into your head spontaneously based on what you need to know.

 

Pay careful attention to what's said by the person you interview. Ask questions when something isn't clear. People are often happy to discuss their positions and willing to provide you with a wealth of information.

 

Try to keep the conversation friendly, brief, and focused on the contact person's job and career field.

 

 

 

Share something about yourself, but do not dominate the interview by talking about yourself. You are there to get the information that will help you learn the most about the occupational field so that you can be prepared to compete for a job. Be aware, however, that many informational interviews have turned into actual employment interviews. Don't count on it, but it does sometimes happen.

 

If it seems that you are being interviewed for a specific job, clarify with the employer so you can make sure you emphasize your functional/ transferable skills and why you feel they relate to this job.

 

 

 

Listening is half of the communication. Besides being able to ask questions and convey a message to employers, you need to develop the skill of really listening to what they tell you. Be receptive and show that the information is important to you. You must listen to it and understand it.

 

 

 

You have spent 20-30 minutes with this person, asking questions, getting advice and sharing a little about yourself. Thus begins your contact network. The person has taken time to share with you; in other words, he or she has invested time in you. Most people like their investments to pay off. Most people will feel good about your staying in contact with them. You do not have to call or write every week. Just keep your interviewee posted on your research.

 

The interviewee may not have a job for you but may know of other employers or people to which you may be referred. If possible, keep these people informed about your progress. If you have done your job well, they will be interested in your final choices. Ask for your contact’s business card and exchange one of your own, if you have one.
 

 

 

People who are in the same kind of business usually know their competition. Before leaving, ask your contact to suggest names of others who might be helpful to you and ask permission to use your contact's name when contacting these new contacts.

 

 

 

Be sure to send a thank-you card or letter within one to three days after the interview. This communication is an effective way to keep in touch and to be remembered by people. Let them know they were helpful and thank them for the time spent.

 

As a nice touch, quote something that the resource person said back to them, word for word. Ask the person to keep you in mind if they come across any other information that may be helpful to you in your career research. Include your address and phone number under your signature.

 

 

 

For possible future reference, keep a list of all the people you have interviewed or plan to interview. You may even plan to keep a special notebook or cards with interview notes on your questions covered. Include the main things that you gained from each interview. This file will be a rich source of information as you conduct your occupational exploration.

 

Immediately following the interview, record the information you gathered. Now you know how to get the inside scoop on your dream job. This activity alone can lead to your dream job or connect you to a mentor, because employers are very impressed by students who have the savvy to analyze the experience.

 

In evaluating the interview and making the best use of the acquired information, ask yourself the following questions:

 

 

Phillip Levine of "Ask The Expert" suggests that people who have been out looking for jobs and have become so fearful of getting a "no" that they actually become paralyzed can benefit from informational interviewing.

 

Informational interviews enable job-seekers to get in front of employers and regain self-confidence as well. Levine notes that with informational interviewing you can’t be rejected but you can learn a great deal.

 

He tells this story: "Caroline, a computer programmer client of mine had reached the stage where she was going for interviews and expecting a 'no.' As a matter of fact, she was now avoiding interviews if possible. She was becoming gun-shy. Forcing her out to further interviews was not the answer. The rejections were affecting her personal self-confidence and self-esteem. This is a situation in which job seekers become frustrated and continue to heap more pressure on themselves for interviews -- and the more pressure they feel the less well they perform. It becomes a terrible spiral.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some final hints about informational interviews:

When in an interview, ask what you want to know but really let the person talk because you might discover and acquire information about unanticipated areas of employment.

 

Note your reactions on an objective level, but don't ignore personal feelings; what you naturally gravitate toward or away from is very important.
 

Find out if the interviewee has any insight on the qualifications necessary for a position such as the one you are discussing.

 

Talking with people doesn't have to be a formal process or one you practice only when job hunting. Chat with people casually -- on a plane or bus, while waiting in lines, at social gatherings, etc. Since most people enjoy talking about their work, curiosity can open many doors.

 

 

 

There are a couple of places on the Web where job-seekers can participate or read previous informational interviews:

 

While this tutorial is fairly comprehensive, there are also a number of other Web sites that discuss informational interviewing. This list includes: