INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWING

According to Tom Jackson, author of Guerrilla Tactics in the Job Market, "it is not the most qualified persons who get the best jobs...it is those who are most skilled in job finding." The process of informational interviewing helps you become a skilled job hunter. It offers you the opportunity to practice your interviewing skills while gathering information critical to the job hunt.

What is informational interviewing?

An informational or research interview is a meeting which you arrange with a person who currently works in a position you think you might want to hold in the future. The person with whom you will be meeting will likely have the most up-to-date information on the position you are investigating and may or may not have the power to hire you. An informational interview is a low stress conversation where you have an opportunity to gather data you will need to make a realistic career choice and secure advice for your job hunt strategy. You may be referred to these professionals through a friend, colleague, professor, or career counselor.

Why conduct an informational interview?

The job market in the United States is tight in many fields. Within certain professions, competition for positions is fierce, with an average of 200 applicants per advertised opening. The result is that people with appropriate skills and experiences are often not hired. There are many criteria determining who will get the job and likewise a number of criteria to determine whether a job is suited to you. A strong match between your interests, skills, and needs and a job that will be satisfying requires some research and investigation.

How can informational interviews help me?

• Discovering how people in a certain profession feel about their work might allow you to see yourself in a similar position and provide you with information to assess whether or not a particular field would be right for you.
• Conducting informational interviews can help you discover what skills are required for certain jobs. You can then match those skills with your own abilities and strengths.
• Depending on the questions you ask, an informational interview can give you current facts about specific occupations. These facts can help you sort out personal options and choices. Informational interviews are a good way to do a reality check on what you've heard and read.
• Informational interviews can help you uncover potential job leads in industries that interest you.
• The person with whom you interview can serve as a valuable job contact in the future.
• By asking for names of colleagues who are doing similar work, you can begin to establish a list of resources and develop a sense of the network of professionals for a particular field.
• Because YOU direct this low stress interview, you will develop self-confidence in the art of interviewing. Conducting informational interviews can help you learn the process of taking comfortable, assertive control in your career development and job search.
• In the event you decide to pursue a particular occupation which you have researched, your knowledge of the field will likely make you an impressive candidate.

How are informational interviews different from a job interview?

• Control-- The balance of control is in your favor. You define what you want to learn. You ask the questions.
• Purpose-- You are there to gather information and advice and to make contacts. You are not there to sell anything. However, by expanding your contacts and meeting with professionals individually, you can create a positive, lasting impression.
• Pressure-- greatly reduced. The spotlight is focused on their expertise and your interest in their knowledge. Think of an informational interview as a research project. You pick a topic and gather the information!

How do I arrange an informational interview?

Informational interviews are typically arranged in one of three ways; by telephoning or writing your contact or by dropping by without an appointment. You will have to explain your purpose in requesting the interview; be specific in your request. Give an estimate of how much time it will take (approximately 20 minutes). Remember, the purpose of the interview is to gather information about a particular field of work-- not to get a job.

You will likely be pleasantly surprised that people are generally eager to grant your request. In most cases, people enjoy talking about themselves and their work.

What are some sources for names of contacts?

Tell everyone you know that you are interested in investigating a particular professional or field and ask if they could refer you to anyone. It is surprising how many contacts can be generated in this manner. Other sources of contacts include:

• The Career Center
• Luther Link
• Professional organizations
• Professors
• Yellow Pages
• Local chambers of commerce
• Relatives

• Work in career areas you're interested in (computer science, social work, medical research)
• Work in specific jobs in specific organizations (lobbyist for grass-roots environmental organizations, medical technologist for a rural clinic)
• Share a common interest, enthusiasm, or involvement in some activity or lifestyle that appeals to you (women's issues, medical ethics)
• Work settings you like (small businesses, government, non-profit organization)

How do I prepare for an informational interview?

Preparation for an informational or research interview is absolutely essential. Once you have scheduled the interview, it is your responsibility to prepare possible questions that make the best use of the allotted time. Since one of the purposes of an informational interview is to determine whether or not there is a match between you and a particular job, it is important that you assess your interests, values, needs, motivations, and skills before embarking on your interview. A career counselor can assist you with this process. The informational interview is YOUR opportunity to learn what YOU need to know about a particular occupation. You may want to modify or expand on the following sample questions:

• I'm fascinated by the public relations area and would like to know how most people get into the field.
• How did you become interested in the environmental field?
• What do you think is the best educational preparation for a career in marketing management?
• Which part of the job is most challenging for you?
• Do you think there is enough growth in the computer resale business that you would advise someone like me to pursue it?
• The banking industry has been going through dramatic changes in the last five years. What have you seen from the inside of Bank of the World?
• In your experience, what are the negative aspects of a consulting career?
• Of all the individuals you have met in police work, what personal attributes do you think are essential to success?
• Is there a directory of professionals in the field of health care I could obtain for my job search?
• Which professional journals and organizations should I know about in biotechnology?
• I would like to walk through and see the areas where your newspaper is actually printed. Can that be arranged?
• What are the qualifications you look for in a junior manager?
• As far as you know, which software companies hire and train the most recent college graduates?
• What skills are required of a management consultant on a day-to-day basis?
• What do you think of the experience I have had so far, in terms of getting into public relations?
• What experiences have you had that you thought were invaluable to learning the business?
• Which classes would you recommend I take my last semester at Luther?
• How did you get your job?
• From your perspective, what are the problems in working for the non-profit sector?
• Would you describe a typical work day in the life of a funeral director for me, please?
• What motivates you to stay in spite of the difficulties of political life?
• When would my earning potential begin to improve if I chose a career as a life insurance agent?
• Many consultants have told me that it is lonely to work that way. How do you combat the loneliness of self-employment?
• How often do you work past 6:00 and on the weekends?
• How well do you think I would fit in a Big Six accounting firm with my background and personal characteristics?
• Who do you know that I should talk to next in hospital administration? When I call him/her, may I use your name?
• What is the reason most people give when they leave dentistry?
• What would you say are the lifestyle considerations of sales?
• Regarding promotions, how quickly have most managers risen to the top in your business?
• If you could do it all over again, would you choose the same path for yourself? Why? What would you change?
• Considering what you know about my skills, education, and experience, what other fields or jobs would you suggest I find out more about before I make a final decision?
• From your personal point of view, what qualities do you look for in Human Resource staff?
• Who are the most important people in advertising today?
• What positions would I now be qualified for in corporate training?
• Which of my skills do you consider strong points in administrative work?
• How does your company compare with the others we have discussed?
• What is your response to my résumé? How would you suggest that I change it?
• Do you foresee developments in waste management that will affect future opportunities?
• What training opportunities do you think I should expect in an entry-level position?
• Have you noticed that it is necessary to change companies in order to advance?
• Is there a trend toward an overabundance of people entering the software development field?
• Where do you see the opportunities for public relations?
• Are there other job titles that I should be looking at that are comparable to technical writers?

How do I address questions from my contact person?

The person with whom you are interviewing may want to know something about you as well as share information about her/himself. She or he may even tell you of job openings or ask whether or not you are interested in hearing of any. How you answer will depend on where you are in your job search. You may or may not be ready to commit yourself to a particular profession. In any case, try to keep your options open for yourself and respond accordingly. During your informational interview, remember to use good eye contact, use your active listing skills, bring a pen and paper to take notes, and HAVE FUN!

How do I follow up on my informational interview?

Be sure to send a thank you note. More than a courtesy, it is a reminder of you. Thank your contact for the information and advice they shared. You may want to mention information you found particularly interesting or helpful. Remember, this person can serve as a contact for you in the future. At a later date, you may want to send a letter expressing your interest in working for them, recall your informational interview, and enclose a copy of your résumé. Keep good records of all of your informational interviews. You may need this information in the future.

If you remember that the purpose of informational interviewing is to provide you with facts and perspectives, you have nothing to lose. You will become more knowledgeable and skillful in your future job search.