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Informational Interviewing
By Heather Carpenter | August 18, 2008
I remember when I was starting my search for a job. I said to myself, “I don’t need anyone to help me. I can do this all on my own!” Little did I know that everyone who was out networking and accepting help from those they knew were landing unbelievable jobs, while I sunk deeper into depression. What I didn’t know was that nearly 80% of jobs are found through networking, and as a potential employee the information interview is a fantastic job searching tool.
An informational interview is just what it sounds like: an interview with someone in the industry or field you are interested in in which you gather information. It is not a time where you ask for a job. Informational interviews are used to gather information about educational requirements, company culture, industry experts and expectations, and contacts that may bring you closer to landing your dream job.
Most people obtain information interviews through one of two ways. 1) Someone in your network suggests someone they know in the industry you are interested in. 2) You cold call a company or person that you admire and request an informational interview. The first way is always more effective because the person has a personal connection to you, although many professionals remember what it was like to look for their first job or break into an industry and are willing to give you 20-30 minutes of their time.
Informational interviews should be brief. You need to come in well prepared and know what it is you are looking for out of this contact. Your hope is they will either open their rolodex to you, or they will connect you to their HR department with a great personal reference. Either end result will move you closer to the job you are seeking.
To learn more about informational interviews and to prepare please visit Quint Careers.
Topics: General, Interviewing, Job Search, Networking |