In addition to online career resources, informational interviews are another way to gather information about a career.
Informational interviews are meetings where you are the interviewer, and the person with whom you are meeting has information that you want—for example, about a specific job, organization, or industry. Informational interviews are a type of networking, but since the primary aim is to uncover information, we are including informational interviewing in the research unit.
Many job seekers treat informational interviews like an interrogation, with a long list of questions to extract information from the interviewee. We will take a more sophisticated approach to informational interviews. These interviews occur after some research is already completed, so the interview is not simply a series of questions to gain more information but rather a way to verify, refine, and test the information already researched. It is a two-way conversation, and you will be giving as well as receiving information.
Informational Interviews Are Two-Way Exchanges of Information
Most job seekers see informational interviews as a shortcut to research. Why not find someone who does the job, works at the organization, or works in the industry so they can give you a summary of the job, organization, or industry, instead of plowing through secondary data yourself? There are several reasons it is a bad idea to jump right to informational interviews without conducting your own research first:
It’s harder to land good informational interviews without having done some research first. Potential interview targets are going to think it is not worth their time if you are just there to take information from them, rather than having an interesting two-way exchange.
Just because someone does the job or is part of an organization or industry does not mean that they have an exhaustive command of the information for that job, organization, or industry. You will not get an objective, comprehensive view of your target just by talking to a few people.
Unless your interview target is skilled at tailoring advice across a range of backgrounds, what they will share is based on their specific experience, skills, and personality. It may not be relevant to you or your situation.
You get just the basic information because you do not know enough to ask probing questions or to confirm or refine information you gather beforehand. It is a wasted opportunity for you to get more nuanced information.
You come across as knowing nothing about the job, organization, or industry. You wasted an opportunity to demonstrate your interest and knowledge, and therefore market yourself as a possible person to work in that job, organization, or industry.
The best informational interviews are two-way exchanges of information, more like a conversation than an interrogation. You are offering the information you have collected via your research and the interviewee is adding his or her thoughts and ideas. You come across not as the novice looking for a favor and more as a colleague brainstorming ideas. People are busy and do not always take the time to read business news, attend trade association meetings, or do the in-depth research you will be doing. They will appreciate you bringing to them the latest news. By being well researched and prepared, you do not have to feel like you are imposing on someone when asking for an informational interview. You will be giving back as well, in terms of information on breaking news, trends, or innovations.
Sample Informational Interview Questions
You want to get to know your interviewee by asking questions such as the following:
How did you get involved in this job, organization, or industry?
What do you like most about it? What has been most rewarding?
What is most challenging? Was there anything that surprised you?
What is a typical day, week, or month like?
What skills are most critical to have, develop, and maintain to be successful?
What personality types are most successful in this job, organization or industry?
What do you know now that you wished you knew when you started?
Interest in their specific background establishes rapport because it shows you care about them specifically. It also gives you a foundation for questions to ask later because you know more about their experience.You want to get broader information about the industry, so you ask questions that reflect your research:
According to my research, the top competitors are [name the competitors]. Am I missing anyone you think is significant? Is there a new player I should know about?
According to my research, [name a trend, challenge, or innovation] is a major trend, challenge, or innovation. Is this affecting your job or organization? Is this overestimated in the media? Are there are other trends, challenges, or innovations I should be concerned about?
This is why research prior to the informational interview is so critical. You use your research findings as a springboard for conversation. You are not relying on the interviewee to think of everything and be the sole source of information. You are offering ideas, too. Informational interviews also enable you to dive deeper into what you previously researched.
Pick several research findings to test, and choose what to ask based on what level and type of experience your interviewee has. If your interviewee is very experienced and senior, you can ask broad strategy questions. If your interviewee is focused on a very specific area, say technology, focus on technology-related issues in the discussion.
You also want to get career-related information, such as salary and environment, and a candid sense of your chances in this job, organization, or industry:
According to my research, it is customary for people in this job to make [name salary range] and experience [name lifestyle, travel, or work culture]. Is that accurate? Are there any nuances to this that are not publicized in general media?
According to my research, the typical career trajectory is [name different titles you have seen for the job]. Is this accurate? Does this differ by company?
How would you describe the culture of your organization? Does this vary greatly for companies in the industry?
According to my research, it is customary for people in this job to have [name skills and experiences]. Is my background of [summarize your skills and experience] competitive? If you knew of an opening for this type of job, would you consider me or refer me?
What about my background is most relevant to this job? What would I need to do to improve my chances?
These questions enable you to get information on the touchy issues of compensation and lifestyle, as well as candid feedback on your hiring prospects. By offering ideas, you take the pressure off the interviewee to reveal sensitive information. Instead, you give them something to react to. People will also appreciate that you have done some salary research, as they might not have time to see what is happening in the market, and they will want to reciprocate by sharing something they know.
Asking about the competitiveness of your skills and experience is not the same as asking for a specific job. You should never ask for a job in an informational interview. It is disingenuous because you asked for a meeting to focus on gathering information, not to ask for a job.
Be Polite: Common Rules of Etiquette Apply
Common rules of etiquette apply in the protocols of informational interviews. When asking for the interview, you can approach your interviewee by phone, mail, or email.There is no one right answer, but each has advantages and disadvantages:
Table 3.1 - Possible Ways to Ask for an Informational Interview and Advantages and Disadvantages
Approach By
Advantages
Disadvantages
Phone
• Potential for immediate response
• For people who are difficult to reach, you cut through a lot of back and forth if you happen to reach them right away
• Disruptive to the interviewee
• You have very little time to introduce yourself and make your request
Mail
• Potential to stand out. Few people take the time to send mail anymore
• Slow to arrive
• Cannot confirm that the recipient receives or reads it
E-mail
• Fast but still gives you the opportunity to refine your draft
• Recipient can respond right away or wait until later
• Enables you to include hyperlinks for more information about you
• Cannot confirm that the recipient receives or reads it
E-mail has the most advantages and fewest disadvantages and should work for most job seekers. If you are more confident in your phone approach or mail campaign, then you may want to try that as well. You might also tailor your approach to the recipient. If you get referred to someone and they tell you to call them, then call them, even if you would prefer to e-mail. You want to approach interviewee based on what their preference is.
The content of your approach, whether by phone, mail or e-mail, should include who you are and why you are making contact. If someone refers you, mention that right away. Regarding who you are, make your introduction compelling but brief.
An elegant way to share your resume is to put your online profile hyperlink in your email signature (ex http://www.linkedin.com/in/joesample). This way, the interviewee can easily get more information about you without having to search, but it is shared in one line rather than a paragraph or more detail. This is a key advantage of an e-mail approach.
Sample Informational Interview E-mail Approach
Subject: Request for an Informational Interview Meeting
Hello Ms. Smith,
My name is Patricia Jones and I am a first-year college student at Diablo Valley College. I am enrolled in a career exploration course and I am currently considering business marketing as my major. I have been researching this field and I am interested in learning more about the profession. I would like an opportunity to meet with you to learn more about what you do as VP of International Marketing at MPL Incorporated.
I understand you have a busy schedule; however, I would appreciate any amount of time you can share with me. I am available M-F any time after 1 p.m. Please let me know your availability.
I look forward to hearing back from you soon. Thank you for your time.
Common etiquette applies during and after the informational interview as well. Be on time, and do not take too much time. Ask for fifteen to thirty minutes, be mindful of the time, and offer to end the interview right after the agreed amount of time. Only stay longer if invited. Send a thank-you note—email is fastest, handwritten by mail is a classy addition, but definitely send at least an e-mail so you know it arrives promptly.
Sample Informational Interview Thank You Email
Subject: Thank you for your time!
Dear Ms. Smith:
Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to speak with me about your work at MPL Incorporated. Your job sounds fascinating! You seem to enjoy your work very much, which, as we discussed, will be important in my own career choice.
I am very intrigued by the work that you do at MPL. The aspect of your work that I find most interesting is your ability to market one product to several different cultures. Your involvement in the different stages of marketing a product captivated me as well.
I appreciate your recommendations about interviews. I will be sure to know all about a company and its products before I interview with them. Your advice was well taken.
Once again, thank you for your time and expertise.
Activity 3.3 - Preparing for my Informational Interview
Now that you have been introduced to informational interviewing, think of what careers you’d like to learn more about and who you may want to interview to help you gather more information.
List at least two careers you'd be interested in learning more about and potentially conducting an informational interview for?
Now think of professionals in the field you can arrange an informational interview appointment with. You can find people to interview by asking your friends, relatives, instructors, counselors, or contacts through Professional Associations. Think of all your resources.
When you call to set up an appointment, it is important to be prepared, because what you say on the phone and how you say it can influence your ability to land an informational interview appointment. Prepare your phone script below:
Hello. My name is _________________________and I’m a (year in school)__________student attending Diablo Valley College. My counselor, (Name of person} __________________ suggested I give you a call because I am interested in (add your interest) ___________________ and would like to find out as much as I can about the
field. Would it be possible to schedule 20 or 30 minutes with you at your convenience, to ask you a few questions and get your advice on how best to prepare to enter the field?
Once the appointment is scheduled. Prepare a list of questions you'd like to ask.
After the interview, reflect on your experience. What information did you find particularly helpful? Is this a career you can see yourself pursuing? Do you have any reservations? Is there any advice that was given that you need to follow up on? Be sure to send a thank-you note or email within 24 hours to show your appreciation.
