INFORMATIONAL
INTERVIEW
As the name implies, an informational interview is
one you conduct with a professional in a specific
field for information only to learn about career options
while making valuable contacts and building your professional
network along the way. As we all know, in today's
competitive and ever-changing job market, "it's
not what you know but whom you know." The more
people who are familiar with you, your qualifications
and your career interests, the more doors will open
for you when the time comes to land that job…whether
it be now or two or three years down the road. So,
whether you are a freshman deciding on a major or
a senior preparing to launch a job search. Career
Services recommends you take the following steps to
make this powerful strategy work for you!
STEP 1: IDENTIFY POTENTIAL CONTACTS
Start with you own personal network by asking family,
friends, roommates, past employers and anyone else
for names of individuals within occupations that interest
you. If you find yourself coming up empty, you may
identify contacts by calling companies that interest
you.
STEP 2: MAKE CONTACT BY PHONE OR LETTER
Initiate communication with your potential contact
over the phone or with a letter. Explain who you are,
why you are contacting him or her, and how you were
referred. Be very specific about your request for
information only, NOT a job. You may be pleasantly
surprised - most people find talking about themselves
irresistible. For further assistance on developing
cover letters or making contact, call Career Services
to schedule an appointment with a Career Counselor!
STEP 3: CONDUCT PRELIMINARY RESEARCH
Gather some basic information about the respective
career or organization to be able to ask intelligent
questions. For information on the industry and field,
consult the Occupational Outlook Handbook and a multitude
of other career exploration materials available in
the Career Resource Library. For information on a
specific company, consult the company files and the
World Wide Web available in the Career Resources Library.
STEP 4: DEVELOP QUESTIONS
The secret to successful informational interviewing
is to ask your contacts
for information or leads, NOT a job. Ask open-ended
questions to avoid
yes/no answers. Your questions should demonstrate
your commitment to making an educated decision about
your career, and should cover such topics as organizational
culture, current issues or trends in the field, etc.
Please refer to the attached sheet for sample informational
interview questions.
STEP 5: CONDUCT THE INTERVIEW
The typical informational interview will be 20 - 30
minutes long. You should let the interview roam freely
in the allotted time period. Establish contact in
the beginning by restating your purpose and explaining
the types of questions you will be asking. You should
dress professionally and take a pad of paper to jot
down notes as you go.
STEP 6: FOLLOW-UP AFTER THE INTERVIEW
Send a thank you letter!! Inform your contact what
steps you have taken to apply the advice you received,
or merely express your appreciation and state that
you will be in touch when further action is needed.
Remember, this individual is now part of your personal
network and has the power to assist you in the long
run…don't overlook this common professional courtesy.
Informational Interview Sample Questions
-
How
did you get into this field?
-
Which
majors are most successful with securing employment
in this field?
-
How
would you describe a typical day/week on the job?
-
What
are the most satisfying aspects of your job?
-
What
frustrations or drawbacks do you experience in this
position?
-
How
would you describe the work environment? Please
be specific in terms of work pressure, deadlines,
routines, and new activities.
-
How
often do you travel and for how long?
-
What
percentage of your time is spent utilizing computers?
Interacting with people? Writing reports?
-
How
much contact do you have with people outside of
your organization? What is you relationship to these
people?
-
Do
you ever have to represent your employer at after-hours
social functions? Do you have control over this?
-
How
does your career affect your lifestyle? (the amount
of work, your material needs, time for leisure,
travel, outside interests, and family?)
-
What
are the latest developments and primary issues in
this field today?
-
How
do you see the jobs in t field changing over the
next five to ten years?
-
What
educational degrees, licenses, or other credentials
are required for entry and advancement in you kind
of work? Are there any, which are preferred or helpful,
although not required?
-
What
are the trade/professional groups to which you belong,
and which do you find most beneficial to your work?
Do any of them assist college seniors interested
in entry-level; positions in your field?
-
Which
other career areas do you see as being related to
you work?
-
What
personal characteristics , personality traits, values,
interests, etc., do you believe are necessary or
helpful for success and satisfaction in this occupation
or organization?
-
How
do people usually learn about job openings in your
field?
What do you wish you had known about this career
field before you entered it? What about this employer?
-
How
is the organization structured? How
would you rate the effectiveness of this structure?
-
What
kinds of entry-level jobs are available within organizations
like this?
- What
is your organization's leadership/management philosophy?
How does this differ from other organizations in this
field?
- Who
are your competitors?
- What
are your organization's plans for growth?
- Do
you have a formal training program? Could you please
describe it to me? What percentage of training occurs
in the classroom? On the job?
- What
are the typical career paths within your organization?
- How
are employees evaluated in your division?
- What
impresses you about this organization?
- Are
there any books or periodicals that you would recommend?
- What
special advice would you give to a young person entering
your field?
- What
are your personal future career plans?
Telephone
Strategies for Getting Informational Interviews
The telephone can be one of your most important allies
in gathering information for your job search. It can
also be one of your biggest obstacles if you fear rejection
and/or do not know how to present yourself. To make
telephoning easier and more productive, develop a script
and practice it. Below are some examples that you might
tailor to your personal script.
When speaking to a secretary
Hello, this is Mara Jones. May I speak with Katherine
Williams?
*If she is not in and/or the secretary asks the nature
of the call reply…
Sally Smith suggested I call regarding some research
that I am doing in the field of _________. When would
it be convenient for me to call back?
*Assuming the secretary provides you with the information,
reply…
Thank you very much. I'll call back at (estimated time).
When speaking to your contact
*If you have been referred, your opening might go something
like this…
Hello this is Mara Jones. Sally Smith suggested that
I call you regarding the possibility of setting up a
brief interview with you. She tells me that you are
am excellent source of information on the field of _______.
I am interested in exploring new career options and
am meeting with a small group of people for information
and advice. When might you have a few minutes that I
could meet with you?
*If your contact agrees, confirm the time, date, and
place, and be sure to get clear directions to your meeting
site. Before you meet your contact, send him/her a letter
confirming your meeting and expressing thanks.
*If your contact does not have time or does not wish
to meet with you, reply…
I appreciate your being unable to meet with me. Could
you suggest someone else in your company or your field
your field with whom I could meet?*
If you've uncovered the contact person on your own and
have not been referred, your opening might go something
like this…
Ms. Williams, this is Mara Jones, I am calling because
(select the appropriate option):
*of your expertise in the field of ___________________.
*of your recent promotion to _____________________.
*Of your association with _______________________ (professional
or other relevant organization).
*you are a fellow alumni of _____________________.
*OTHER:____________________________________.
*After you've opened the conversation, continue with
your explanation of the purpose of the call .
*If your contact asks if you are looking for a job,
be honest, but recognize that you are contacting this
person for informational purposes only. You might reply
like this…
Yes I am applying for various positions, but my meeting
with you would be for informational purposes only. I
hope to use your advise in developing leads and gaining
additional information. General Tips
*Speak with confidence
*Remember that you're likely to have many of your requests
denied. Don't be discouraged. Keep at it until you've
reached people who agree to see you.
*If you can't get through to the person whose help you
are seeking, ask the secretary for suggested contacts.
*Frequently, secretaries are valuable sources of information.
Informational interviews give insight into your career
interests and provide you with a valuable network. Good
Luck!!!
Informational Interview Thank you letter
A thank you letter should always be sent following any
employment interview or informational interview. Thank
you letters remind prospective employers that you are
still available and reinforces why you are interested
in their organization.
These letters are written to people in your job search
network to keep them up-to-date on your job search.
(Sample)
123 Miller Ave.
Jacksonville, FL 32234
April 3, 2000
Ms. Celia Shubert
College Relations Manager
Hallmark Cards, Inc.
25th & McGee Traffic way
Kansas City, MO 64105
Dear Ms. Shubert:
Thank you for taking the time to speak with me regarding
opportunities within the law profession.
Your description of the various levels within your firm,
as well as our discussion with Judge Hathaway,
were both extremely helpful.
As a result of our conversation, I have begun the process
of applying to law school as well as continuing my national
search for paralegal positions. Judge Hathaway mentioned
two contacts, Timothy Jones and Adrianne Muniz, with
whom I have already made contact and will be meeting
with them in early March.
Your suggestion that I contact your sister in her firm
in New Orleans has turned into an excellent lead, as
she had three colleagues who are currently in search
of paralegal support.
Again, Brad, I thank you for your efforts and consideration.
I enjoyed meeting with you and have great memories from
our lunch at the Sushi Palace.
Sincerely,
Ozzie Osprey
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