Informational Interviews

An informational interview is a low-key experience that is probably your most valuable tool when making decisions about your career. In most cases, people are happy to discuss their positions and willing to provide you with a wealth of information. You accomplish several things when you go out on informational interviews:

- You obtain a great deal of information about your career field and the skills needed to be effective in a particular job.

- You have the opportunity to make personal contact among management-level personnel.

- You gain insight into the hidden job market.

- You become aware of the needs of the employers and the realities of employment.

- You gain invaluable interviewing experience and visibility.

In short, an informational interview prepares you for what is in store and allows you the opportunity to network with others in your field of interest.

The following guidelines may help you prepare for your informational interview:

Research the occupation.

Once you have identified an occupation you would like to investigate, find out as much as you can about each place before setting up an interview. This can be done by use of the telephone, the library, the Chamber of Commerce, the State of Washington telephone directory, or by word of mouth. (Be sure the information you acquire is accurate!)

Set up the interview prior to a job opening.

It is 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 agency is actively recruiting to fill the position.

Choose the best person to interview.

Try to contact, by telephone or mail, managers and supervisors who have the authority to hire. Identify yourself and explain that you are researching careers in the contact’s field. Tell them where you obtained their name.

Be courteous when scheduling.

Most people who grant informational interviews are willing to spend 15-20 minutes sharing expertise about their field. Please remember to be flexible in your scheduling, as these volunteer interviewees may have prior commitments. If this should occur, ask when would be a convenient time for you to call back to schedule an interview.

When you are first talking with prospective interviewees, remember to emphasize that you are simply trying to get firsthand information, and whatever they could share with you would be appreciated. Here is an example of what you might say when calling to schedule an informational interview:

“Hello, my name is _____. I am conducting career research in your career field. I would like to meet and talk with you for about 20 minutes, so that I can find out more information about your field of expertise.”

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 of that agency if you do not already have an inside contact or referral. Ask them some of your questions. You will usually get good information.

Be resourceful when scheduling.

Receptionists and other support staff know much more about their agency 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.

Prepare your questions ahead of time.

Ask only those questions which are appropriate and most important to you. Since the interview lasts only 15-20 minutes, choose only a few questions that are specific and succinct. You will convey your motivation and interest to the employer by acknowledging that the information they are giving you is important, and that you put some thought into your questions.

Ask questions regarding the job.

Consider asking a few of the following questions about the interviewee’s career or think of your own:

- What is your job like? (What do you do in a typical day? What kinds of problems do you deal with? What kinds of decisions do you make?)

- What jobs and experience have led to your present employment?

- What do you like best about your job?

- What do you like least about your job?

- What kinds of problems do you deal with?

- What are the most important personal satisfactions and dissatisfactions connected with this occupation?

- What kinds of decisions do you make?

- What skills, abilities, aptitudes, and/or temperaments are needed?

- What qualifications are needed for this job?

- What social obligations go along with a job in your occupation? (Are there organizations you are expected to join? Are there other things you are expected to do outside work hours?)

- What things did you do before you entered this occupation? (Which have been most helpful? What other jobs can you get with the same background?)

- How do people get most of their training?

- Does the work serve values that are important to you?

- What sorts of changes are occurring in your occupation?

- What is the best way to enter this occupation?

- What are the advancement opportunities?

- What are the major qualifications for success in this particular occupation?

- Who else do you know that is doing similar kinds of work or uses similar skills?

- What can you tell me about the employment outlook in your occupational field?

- How do you see your job changing over the next several years?

- Do you have any tips on how to get such a job?

Ask questions regarding the person.

Consider asking a couple of the following questions about the interviewee’s own life or think of your own.

- What jobs and educational experiences have led you to your present job?

- Why did you choose the type of work you are doing?

- What has been your favorite job?

- What has given you the biggest sense of accomplishment?

- Do you have any tips for building a successful career?

- What type of job(s) have you thought about doing next?

Ask questions regarding the company or agency.

Consider asking some of the following questions about the company or agency for which the interviewee works.

- What are your major products or services?

- What types of jobs do you have here?

- What types of people are you looking for?

- Which entry-level jobs exist?

- Do you provide training?

- What are the advancement opportunities?

- What is the approximate salary range?

- What is the benefits package?

- What is the long and short-range outlook for this organization?

- What do you see as the most important immediate and future concerns for the organization?

- What are the agency goals and objectives over the next six months/year/two years?

- If you were to hire someone today, for what position would you hire them?

- What is the hiring procedure?

- Do you have any literature on this agency?

- How did most people here get their jobs?

- What kind of person do you have to be to fit in with this agency?

Prepare your responses ahead of time.

Preparing some short, concise and informative answers beforehand will not only help you to relax and perform better during the interview, it will help you get your foot in the door. Practice answering questions that may be asked of you during the informational interview, such as:

- Why are you interested in this type of work?

- Why do you feel you would be good at it?

- What interests you about this company, agency, department, division, unit, or section?

- How would you quickly sum up your work history to make it fit with this agency? What do you truly want from this contact and how will you use this information?

- What stage of your career search are you in?

Practice, practice, practice.

In order to acquaint yourself with the interviewing process, practice interviewing with family, friends, or anyone with whom you feel comfortable. This should minimize the anxiety you may feel about interviewing.

Call to confirm.

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.

Dress appropriately.

90% of all jobs are never advertised, so you will uncover job openings that never make it to the newspaper or employment office. Be prepared to make a good impression and assure that the employer remembers you. If you are looking for a job, you should always be ready to sell yourself- appearance and otherwise.

Come prepared to take notes.

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

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

Bring your résumé.

Bring a copy of your résumé along with you. Try to find out about specific characteristics or qualifications that employers seek when hiring. You may ask the person you are interviewing to critique your résumé. Ask if you may follow up in two to three weeks.

Arrive early.

Plan to arrive ten minutes early for your interview.

Be casual, receptive, and gracious.

When the interviewee comes out to meet you, introduce yourself, thank them for their willingness to meet with you, and re-emphasize that you are there to learn and gather information about their career field. Also, use informal dialogue during the interview, and try to keep the conversation friendly, brief, and focused on the person’s job.

Never ask for a job.

When you visit a company or agency, instead of asking for a job, ask questions that will help you learn the basics of that company or agency and what they are about. Approach the company or agency with the attitude that you are seeking career advice. This will help set you apart from the hundreds of others who are simply walking in asking for jobs and being turned down.

Share information about yourself.

Share a little but don’t dominate the interview by talking about yourself. You are there to get the information that will help you learn the most about the agency and the position, so you will be adequately prepared to compete for the job. Be aware, however, that many informational interviews have turned into actual employment interviews. If it seems that you are being interviewed for a specific job, ask them so you can make sure you emphasize your function/transferable skills and why you feel these skills relate to this job.

Practice good listening skills.

Listening is half of communication. In addition to 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 to understand it.

Always get referrals.

People usually know their competition. Ask if they could give you the names of other people to contact, and if you may say that they referred you. Referrals open doors!

Send a thank-you note.

Be sure to send a thank-you card or letter one to three days after the interview. This is an effective way to keep in touch as well as to be remembered by people. Let them know how they were helpful and thank them for the time they spent with you. As a nice touch, quote something that the resource person said. Ask them 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.

Maintain the contact.

You have spent 15-20 minutes with this person, asking questions, getting advice and sharing a little about yourself. They have taken time to share with you; in other words, they have invested time in you. Most people like their investment to pay off. The person you have just talked with wants you to find a job. Most people will feel good about your staying in contact with them. You do not have to call them every week or write to them. Just keep them posted on your research. Even if they do not have a job for you, they may know of other agencies or people that you should connect with. Ask for your contact’s business card and exchange one of your own, if you have one.

Keep a record.

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 notes on the questions you covered during the interview. 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.

Remember that networking pays off.

You have just taken the first important step in developing your career search strategy. You have shared information about yourself and gained a wealth of information from an individual who is employed in a career you are interested in. You have built trust with someone in the field and taken responsibility for getting yourself a position that you will enjoy. You have also begun developing a network of potential employers. Although you are not asking for a job, these individuals are now aware of your interests.

Remember not to become discouraged. Establishing this network is vital if you are seriously going to make a career change and find the “good jobs”.

When the day of your real job interview arrives, someone with whom you conducted an informational interview could be on the interviewing panel. Chances are that you will standout in their mind when the selection is made. You have developed the necessary confidence and expertise to make your dream job a reality.

Remember that your success is up to you. Best of luck to you in your career exploration.

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