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