Brazen careerist
Where ambitious young professionals connect and grow
Email
Print
If you haven’t worked or volunteered in the career field you are interested in, informational interviews are a great way to get a good sense of whether or not you really want to pursue a career in that field.
Be sure to check out part 1 of this series on informational interviewing, which outlines the reasons why students and new grads should use informational interviewing as a networking tool and to help them figure out what they want to do.
But be aware of how to do it right, or you risk alienating the very people you want to woo.
Where to meet
Meeting at the workplace of the person you are interviewing takes minimal effort on the part of the interviewee and can give you a sense of the working environment of the career you are interested in.
If the person you are interviewing would prefer to meet elsewhere, allow them to suggest a place that is most convenient for them, such as a restaurant or coffee shop.
Let your personality show
While your interview should be focused on career-related discussion, allowing time to discuss other related interests can help you build a relationship with the interviewee.
Building a professional friendship with your interviewee will make it easier to maintain contact after the interview.
Examples of questions to ask
Be sure to do research before you meet the person! Asking questions you could have easily found answers to elsewhere will be a waste of time for both of you and is unlikely to make a good impression on the person you are interviewing.
Check out their LinkedIn or other professional profile before you meet them, and then ask them to elaborate on the basics in the interview.
What you can offer
Before finishing the interview, you may want to ask if there are any questions your interviewee has for you. They may be interested to know what program you are in or why you are interested in their career path.
You also might be able to offer information from your perspective, for instance about technology, or new courses, programs or trends that are related to their career field.
How to follow up
Sending a hand-written thank-you note reminds your interviewee that you appreciate them taking the time to meet with you. A hand-written note stands out from an e-mail and offers you another chance to follow up with any further comments or questions you might have.
A thank-you note is also a great opportunity to remind the person you interviewed that you would be grateful to remain in contact should any suitable job opportunities or events arise.
For more timely, relevant, and engaging articles,
subscribe to Brazen Careerist.
- The Anti-Stalker’s Guide for Converting Online Contact into Real World Collaboration
- How To Find a Writing Partner Who Can Help You Achieve Your Goals and Make More Money
- Continuing Education: Extending Learning Beyond Your Campus Years
- A New Kind of Business Mover and Shaker
- Why You Might Be Better Off Without a Job After College
Comments
10.07.09
When I was going on informational interviews, I would ask them to look at my resume and suggest any areas they thought I should develop. I always made it clear that I was not asking them for a job--I was asking them what I needed to do to make myself competitive in that field. People were always happy to do this, and I got some really useful feedback.
10.08.09
I just went on two informational interviews in the past two days, using most of the same questions you suggested. They were my first two ever and went really well. I didn't know what to expect but came prepared: wrote down lots of questions, looked up the LinkedIn profile, read about the company. They almost couldn't have gone better!
10.11.09
I consistently educate job seekers and career changers to request an informational interview. Most people will offer one since they don't feel it's related to any job they may or may not have open. When you are done, you've established yourself as someone that's an insider in the making in the interviewees mind.
"What Color is Your Parachute" makes this a part of their "Finding Your Dream Job" chapter, but your write up gives a lot of valuable specifics for people to you. I'll be twittering and posting this at my CareerJockey.org blog.
Got Something To Say?
Got Something To Say?
Not a Member? Brazen Careerist is a career management tool for next-generation professionals. Set up a free account today to comment on this post and start sharing your ideas. Learn more.
Login to view your networks!
 |
 |
 |
|
|
