What is an informational interview? It refers to an informal conversation between two people, in which one person asks for advice on their career, an industry or a company. The end goal of the asking party is often to have the person at the company refer them to their employer, but this should not be your expectation; this talk should be seen as an opportunity that could turn into bigger things.
The term “informational interview” has a bad rap these days. Some companies even forbid their employees from engaging in such interviews. However, as a candidate, whether entry-level, career changer or senior level, they are extremely valuable. Your best bet is to forego the phrase “informational interview” and just ask people to talk to you. Here are some things to keep in mind in preparing for and taking part in an informational interview.
[See: 10 Items to Banish From Your Resume.]
Prepare Ahead. Before you start asking people in your prospective field for a brief chat, make sure you have your professional profile ready. That means your resume should be in good shape and you should have an updated LinkedIn profile. In addition, be sure you’re actually connected with people on there. Think of it as getting ready for a first date: You want to create the best impression possible and be ready for anything.
Determine Who You Want to Know. Once you know what you want to do, search for people who work in jobs you’re interested in. On LinkedIn you can see who is connected to who, which makes it easier to ask for an introduction. Even if you don’t have a second- or third-degree connection to someone, don’t be afraid to reach out blindly.
The Approach. The worst thing you can do is immediately state that you saw a job posting of interest and want the job. That’s a huge turnoff. If you’re writing an email or a message on LinkedIn, explain to the person why you’re interested in talking with them specifically and what you’d like to get advice about. Steer clear of specific interest in their company and the possibility of a referral even if that’s your ultimate goal. Once you’re talking, asking advice and questions may lead you to find out what you need to know about the company or the chance for a referral. You need to be pleasant, not pushy. Be a good listener and that will take you far.
[See: 8 Tacky Job Search Faux Pas.]
Questions to Ask. When you get to the interview, have your questions ready. Let the conversation flow naturally, as you can always follow up later via email with more questions should it go well. If you have questions specific to their particular job or the industry or company, don’t be afraid to ask. Some general questions you may want to ask are:
— How did you start in this industry?
— Is there anything you wish you’d known at the start of your career, or wish you’d done differently?
— What advice would you offer someone with my background who wants to get into your field (or company)?
— Do you recommend any certifications or courses that would help me get into this area?
— Is there anyone else with whom you recommend I speak?
Stay in Touch. The first thing to do after your talk is to write and say thank you. It doesn’t matter if it went well or poorly, the right thing to do is always to say thank you. In your note, refer to a specific part of your chat that was most beneficial or interesting and mention any follow-up actions you plan to take. Connect with them on LinkedIn as well. Set up reminders on your calendar to follow up with the person every few months. Some good excuses to get in touch with a professional contact include a birthday, New Year’s wishes, congratulations on a new job or to send them an updated copy of your resume. Sending too many emails in a short span of time is not smart or professional — make sure each contact is meaningful and spread out appropriately.
[See: Don’t Be That Guy (or Gal): 8 Networking Turn-Offs.]
Use the informational interview to your utmost advantage. Figure out key people you want to talk to and prepare, prepare, prepare. Ensure your resume and LinkedIn profile are presentable and then reach out. Telling someone the type of advice you seek and why you want to speak with them specifically will increase your chance of getting a response. Keep the conversation focused on asking questions about the person and their experiences.
An offer to forward your resume to HR or other good things could come out of an informational interview, but that’s not something to expect or ask for. Those things come as you develop solid relationships within your network and there’s no better place to get started on broadening your contact base than with informational conversations.
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How to Get and Rock Informational Interviews originally appeared on usnews.com
