Mastering the informational interview

“An informational interview can help you better understand a career, industry, company, organization or specific position you are potentially interested in by finding out what really goes on behind the scenes versus what you’ve heard or what you imagine,” says Debra Condren, author of Ambition Is Not a Dirty Word, a career guide for women. “Having a more accurate picture will help you decide if this career target really matches your talents, passion, interests, strengths and weaknesses. It will also inform your choice of education and training.”

How to ask
For many people, the prospect of making a blind call to a place of interest can be daunting. It also might not be very fruitful. A better idea is to network your way into an informational interview.

“The best approach is to brainstorm about someone you know who may work in the industry or company you’re targeting,” Condren states. “Does your parent, brother, best friend, roommate or someone you went to college with know someone who knows someone who would send an email on your behalf asking if it’s OK for you to contact them?”

Alumni offices and college career centers also can be good places to turn. James Greeley, director of career services and cooperative education at Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts, notes that his institution routinely provides informational interview services for students and graduates. “The programs are staffed by human resource personnel and hiring managers from a variety of corporations as well as Merrimack College alumni who volunteer to offer their expertise and assistance,” he says.

When picking up the phone or writing to someone to set up an informational interview, Condren recommends the following to help things run smoothly:

• Mention your mutual connection.
• Ask for a precise amount of time. (As in, “I was wondering if I could
  have 15 minutes of your time.”)
• Approach the person with two or three very specific questions. (As in, “I’m interested in your opinion on which majors train you best for this field.”) It gives the interviewer a preview of what you want to discuss and shows that you have taken the initiative to define what you’re trying to accomplish.

Treat it like a job interview
If you are interested enough in a field or a company to set up an informational interview, there is a chance that down the line you might want to use this connection when seeking employment.

• dressing professionally;
• treating everyone you encounter politely;
• arriving early;
• doing your homework—you should be asking for insight,
  not basic information available on a website;
• preparing a list of questions that gets at exactly
  what you want to know.

While it may seem that you are the one with everything to gain from an informational interview, remember that companies also can benefit. “We’re always looking for top talent, and an informational interview is another chance to meet a potential candidate,” says Holly Paul, national recruiting leader for PricewaterhouseCoopers, one of the world’s largest professional services firms. “It provides an opportunity for us to share what we do and learn how the candidate might fit into our organization.”

Express gratitude
The person who granted the informational interview provided a valuable service and should be thanked accordingly for sharing his or her time and expertise. While a timely email is considered acceptable by some experts, a mailed note may be better.

“Sending an old-fashioned hand-written card will make you stand out,” Condren states. “It saves the person who did the interview from having to open one more in his or her daily gazillion emails.”

Finally, remember to keep the lines of communication open for future contact. How can you do this without becoming a pest? Paul suggests that before the interview even ends that you ask how you should follow up, and then follow that advice. Later, take a moment in your thank-you note to restate your interest in potential future opportunities. A small but genuine gesture now can be a building block for bigger things to come.


Beth Braccio Hering is a special contributor to CareerBuilder.

Questions that deliver By Tami Wit				Want info? plan ahead
Once you have been offered an informational interview, be sure you make the most of it by asking specific questions that give you information about the industry in which you are interested. Consider what you want to know. Do you want information about a specific job or position? A specific company? Or a particular industry? Make sure you do some background research on the job, company or industry beforehand. The following questions provide a starting place to get the information you need. Questions about a job or position What are some of the functions of this job? Who does someone in this position work with or for? What educational background or work experience is necessary to be successful in this job? What is a typical day like? How long do people stay in this position? What is the best/worst thing about this job? What is the salary range for this position? What opportunities/challenges would someone in this position face? Questions about the company What types of jobs are available in this company? In what ways does the company differentiate itself from its competitors? What do employees feel are the core values of the company? What do employees like best/least about the company? Questions about the industry What is the outlook for this industry? What have been the most significant changes in the industry and how have they affected the current industry? What are the particular challenges facing this industry for the next few years? What skills will be needed to work successfully in this industry?				Follow these steps to get the results you want during your informational interview:   1.   Create a list of the jobs, companies or industries you want to learn about. 2.   List the people you know in those areas and use your social media networks, friends and other resources to help you find more contacts. Call or visit a company and speak to the receptionist or browse company websites for contact information. Make sure you get the proper spelling and pronunciation of names before you make contact. Professional association membership lists are also good places to find contact information. 3.   Research ahead of time. Look at related websites, published articles and annual reports so you are prepared when asking for an interview. 4.   Write out what you want to say before you call for an appointment. Be clear that you’re looking for information, not a job. Include why you’re interested in learning more. 5.   Call your contacts to request appointments. They may not be able to see you for awhile, so allow plenty of time and be flexible. 6.   Dress professionally, be on time and act courteously during your conversation. Be prepared with relevant, well-thought-out questions. 7.   Send a thank-you note after every interview. Tami Witt is a freelance writer, coach and communications consultant. Contact her at tjwitt@assetcommunication.com.