How to Hold a More Meaningful Informational Interview
A common misconception is that informational interviews are only for folks starting out in their career. Sure informational interviews are a great idea for the new college grad, but they can be game-changing later in your career as well.
What is an Informational Interview?
An informational interview is a simple networking technique that serves a dual purpose.
1) You learn more about an area of the business that might be of interest and
2) You gain more exposure to the people who might be able to hire you someday.
Informational interviews are both casual and deliberate. They’re a great way to broaden your career network and strengthen loose ties.
Why This Easy Networking Technique is So Powerful
Two of the best executive roles I’ve had came from such informational interviews, which eventually led to real interviews once a job was available.
I used this technique to move to a completely new side of the business, from Verizon to Verizon Wireles,s and establish an entirely new network (pun intended).
Of course, I didn’t call them that.
In my case, I just reached out via email with a short summary of what I was looking to learn with my resume attached.
I shared a bit of my background (with enough of an elevator speech to get them to open the attached resume.).
I indicated I would be in “the neighborhood (e.g. the same state)” and asked if I could swing by to introduce myself. It was important to say that I was perfectly happy in my current role (which was close enough to the truth), but just looking for career guidance and future possibilities.
Each of these introductions inevitably led me to ask the question: who else should I talk with? That question led to more such informational interviews, a ride-along, and an invitation to attend a local charity even dinner with the VP (which felt like a 4-hour interview). It takes time, so you can’t be in a rush.
One job surfaced 9 months later, another took two years to bake, but involved a promotion. Both were worth the effort.
Tips For Conducting a Great Informational Interview
- Remember this is your dime, be prepared to lead the conversation
- Have intelligent questions prepared
- Listen more than you talk
- Be actively interested and take notes
- Have a strong elevator speech ready
- Don’t over-sell or ask for a job
- Share enough of yourself to leave them intrigued and remembering you
Great Informational Interview Questions
Here are a few informational interview questions to get you started. What would you add?
- What’s the best part of working in this area of the business?
- Who is the best at this role? What makes them exceptional? (those names are great people with whom to follow up)
- Who else would you recommend I talk with to gain additional perspective?
- When you look at my current background, what’s missing to best prepare me for a job here? What additional experience would be helpful?
- If a job were open in your department, what reservations would you have about considering me?
- Is there someone I could shadow to get to know more about this role?
Your turn. Have you benefited from an informational interview?
What are your favorite questions to include?
I was interviewed twice this month and enjoyed both interviewers. Both interviews are on youtube.
They asked great questions, shined the spotlight on me, gave me plenty of space to answer questions, and stayed out of the way.
Steve, Oh yeah…. that’s so true to. These kinds of interviews can be SO MUCH FUN! Even if you decide that area’s not right for you. I too have been having a blast with all the OIB interviews. It’s so great to meet new people.
I am a strong supporter of informational interviews as they have also led me to new career opportunities. When I originally switched from finance to HR, I spoke with several people to get a feel for what type of opportunities might be a good fit for me. People were generous with their time and knowledge.
The millennial generation thrives on informational interviews as they are not afraid to ask, listen to feedback and explore. I have spoken with many of them. In fact, I last week I was contacted by an individual I partnered with years ago who was looking to switch careers since she had moved to an area where there were finite career opportunities in her chosen field. She asked me great questions as we explored together.
Thanks Karin!
Terri, Thanks so much for sharing your experiences. I so agree with you… I think this comes so much more naturally for folks who are early in their career, but we lose it as we feel we are more “established.” Keeping that inquiring reaching out spirit alive is so important.
This was a great post! I have done this throughout my entire career and it is an extremely valuable technique. People get nervous when they have to reach out to the unknown and feel intimidated jumping a few rungs on the ladder to get the bird’s eye view. What a wonderful way to build confidence! Every try is worth it, we are worth it, even if we fail we can always pick ourselves up and take a different road. Relationships are the foundation of our success–Just like in your book. Thank you for the great posts, Karin!
Sara, Thanks so much. I so enjoyed the “informational interview” we did once upon a time… even if we didn’t call it that. I think that not labeling it is sometimes the secret.
Karin,
Great post! Thanks for sharing. We get so caught up in our day to day jobs and developing our own teams that we forget how important it is to continue to network and focus on our own development. This is a clear reminder.
Thank you!
Theresa Softcheck
Theresa, So glad to have you in the conversation. Yes! When our head is down, it’s sometimes useful to look up… even if we’re not currently in the market.
Karin,
I always enjoy getting together with people interested in our industry and working through their thought process on whether or not to make the transition. The conversations are usually engaging. Keeping an open mind (on both sides) is essential. The best ones are when the person comes prepared, meaning they did some research already on the industry and company and can have an intelligent conversation about trends, changes, and more.
Jon
Jon, You raise really great points here. It’s so important to prepare well for these discussions, and to have done your homework. You never want to appear to be coming with a blank slate… it’s an important combination of learning and sharing what you have to offer. Amen.
It pays to be bold and take control of your career and an informational interview (or two) should definitely be a part of the mix. I’ve been happy to meet with people for informational interviews and know that it was probably a little scary to ask but when a position did open, and they made a positive impression, I kept them in mind. It was always a pleasure to see that they had actually applied down the line.
Another great piece of career advice from you, Karin!
Alli,
I’m so with you. People who have reached out to me for informational interviews always come to mind when I have positions to fill. I love the proactive approach.
This was a great article, and it comes at a PERFECT TIME! How did you know I needed this Karin?
You are GOOD!
Thanks again for all the wisdom and insight.
Jeannie, I’m SO GLAD! I love it when that happens.
Great article. Really useful content.
Well said Karin Hurt…