| Informational interviewing can play a pivotal role in | | | | Contact the person with whom you wish to meet |
| building one's network to assist in penetrating the | | | | either by letter or telephone. Introduce yourself and |
| hidden job market and unadvertised job prospects, | | | | explain the reason for your contact. If you were |
| but unfortunately is often a tool that is ignored in a | | | | referred to this contact by someone else, remember |
| job seeker's career and job search campaign. | | | | to mention that person's name at the beginning of |
| Informational interviewing is a 'fact-finding exploration' | | | | the call. Use the following script as a guideline: |
| that will assist a job seeker in identifying an optimal | | | | "Hello, my name is [name]. I'm currently exploring |
| place of work that is conducive to their skills, | | | | career options in [industry/role] and was given your |
| motivation and talent, thus positioning them for | | | | details by [name of person who referred you] for |
| continued growth and fulfilment within their careers. | | | | the possibility of obtaining further information about |
| Conducting informational interviews will allow a job | | | | this field and how you got started in the industry. I'd |
| seeker to pinpoint their strengths and requirements | | | | love to be able to meet with you briefly and will only |
| for further development, while also providing an | | | | take about 10-15 minutes of your time." |
| opportunity to build their confidence and | | | | If you are greeted with apprehension or the |
| communication skills, both crucial for forthcoming job | | | | comment "Is it possible to do this by phone?" you |
| interviews. | | | | may like to respond with "Certainly - although it |
| Neglecting to implement this critical research and | | | | would be an honour to meet with you personally." |
| screening tool within their job search sadly can lead | | | | Remember, avoid being pushy - a telephone meeting |
| to a job seeker discovering their discontentment | | | | will also allow you to gather pertinent information. |
| after they have accepted a job offer, or worse, are | | | | The Informational Interview Meeting: |
| working within the role. | | | | Just as if you were attending a job interview, your |
| Therefore, if a particular role or industry is of interest | | | | appearance/attire and your approach should be |
| to you, go and check it out first by meeting with the | | | | professional throughout the entire meeting. |
| people who are already performing in these roles to | | | | Ensure you are well prepared bringing with you your |
| establish whether or not this career path not only | | | | questions, a pen and notebook to jot down the |
| interests but suits you. | | | | information being offered. |
| Benefits of Informational Interviewing: | | | | Possible Research Questions: |
| It is important not to confuse informational | | | | - What background do you believe is necessary for |
| interviewing with a job interview. You are not | | | | people working in this field? |
| interviewing for a role, nor should you ever, under | | | | - Could you outline current issues and trends |
| any circumstances, ask for a job. | | | | associated with this industry? |
| By conducting an informational interview you should: | | | | - Can you describe what you believe a typical |
| - Gain a deeper understanding of the job | | | | working environment is like for this industry? |
| specifications (beyond the job title); | | | | - Describe what a typical working day involves for |
| - Enhance your awareness of the company's culture | | | | you. |
| and how you may/may not fit into the work | | | | - Could you list some of the crucial skills required for |
| environment; | | | | this role/industry? |
| - Expand your network of contacts within the | | | | - What would you say would be the top 5 aspects |
| industry thus optimising your targeting 'the hidden job | | | | of your role? |
| market'; | | | | - What would be the least favourable areas about |
| - Strengthen your understanding of the company's | | | | your role? |
| structure and possible needs so that in the future, | | | | - What advice would you give someone looking to |
| should an employment opportunity present itself, you | | | | enter this industry/role? |
| can better position yourself as a top candidate; | | | | - Could you recommend any industry publications or |
| - Network with professionals in a relatively low-stress | | | | articles where I could gather further information? |
| setting to assist you in building your self-confidence | | | | - Are you able to provide names of people I could |
| while gaining crucial information you can harness | | | | talk to regarding the industry? Would you mind if I |
| during your job search campaign; | | | | used your name as a referral? |
| - Screen the organisation to assist you in your | | | | You may consider bringing a copy of your resume |
| decision making process, should you be extended an | | | | and request the person to review it at a later stage |
| opportunity for employment in the future. | | | | to provide feedback on its content and format. This |
| Getting Started: | | | | will provide you with another perfect opportunity to |
| Begin by developing a list of people you would be | | | | touch base with them. |
| interested in speaking to. These may include people | | | | Leave your business card and request a business |
| already in your network of contacts, or even a | | | | card from the person you are meeting. |
| company you would consider working for. This is a | | | | Final thoughts: |
| great opportunity to expand your network of | | | | Remember, be respectful of the person's time and |
| contacts so don't be afraid to touch base with | | | | stay within your allocated time guidelines. Do not ask |
| people you are not yet acquainted with. | | | | for a job; nor be too aggressive in your questioning |
| While in-person meetings are ideal, conducting | | | | approach. |
| informational interviews over the phone can be just | | | | Thanks you's: |
| as beneficial in your research. Many people are | | | | Following the (in-person / telephone) meeting send a |
| governed by hectic schedules so a 10-15 minute | | | | thank you letter, expressing your gratitude for their |
| phone call may not seem as potentially disruptive as | | | | time and valuable information he/she shared. |
| a face-to-face meeting. | | | | Continued success! |
| Gaining an Appointment: | | | | |