An informational interview allows you to speak with someone currently working in a field of interest to learn firsthand about their career. It can help confirm your career choice, build confidence in discussing career goals, increase your knowledge of the field, make contacts, gather job leads, and practice interview skills. Proper preparation is key and includes researching the field and having a list of questions. Common questions relate to the occupation, present job, employer information, future career plans, job hunting, and advice. Following up with a thank you letter after the interview is important.
Informational interviews are great for networking and learning more about a position, company, or industry you may be interested in. Use this handout for tips and advice on how to start.
Recruiters and hiring managers have seen every trick and gimmick in the book when it comes to interviews. Sometimes they work – but when it comes down to it, whether you’re wearing purple stilettos stilettos or looking the interviewer in the eye, it’s the content of the interview that matters in the long run.
Informational interviews are great for networking and learning more about a position, company, or industry you may be interested in. Use this handout for tips and advice on how to start.
Recruiters and hiring managers have seen every trick and gimmick in the book when it comes to interviews. Sometimes they work – but when it comes down to it, whether you’re wearing purple stilettos stilettos or looking the interviewer in the eye, it’s the content of the interview that matters in the long run.
This presentation is part of Job Hunting Skills training delivered in SDC, it focuses on how to write a good resume and on the tips and tricks for a good interview.
Interview Preparation
You\'ve just landed an interview for your dream job. How do you prepare?
Research should always be your first step. It is important to gather some initial information to create a job search strategy, but even greater preparation is required before the interview. You have made the "small pile" cut of candidates who are actually being interviewed. The following steps will help put you at the top of your game.
This presentation is part of Job Hunting Skills training delivered in SDC, it focuses on how to write a good resume and on the tips and tricks for a good interview.
Interview Preparation
You\'ve just landed an interview for your dream job. How do you prepare?
Research should always be your first step. It is important to gather some initial information to create a job search strategy, but even greater preparation is required before the interview. You have made the "small pile" cut of candidates who are actually being interviewed. The following steps will help put you at the top of your game.
Informational Interviewing Guide Benefits of Informatio.docxcarliotwaycave
Informational Interviewing Guide
Benefits of Informational Interviewing:
• Get firsthand, relevant information about the realities of working within a particular field, industry or
position. This kind of information is not always available online.
• Find out about career paths you did not know existed.
• Get tips about how to prepare for and enter a given career.
• Learn what it’s like to work at a specific organization.
• Gain insider knowledge that can help you in writing your resume, interviewing, and more.
• Initiate a professional relationship and expand your network of contacts in a specific career field; meet
people who may forward job leads to you in the future.
Six Steps for Informational Interviewing:
1. Research Career Fields
a. Do some initial research on the career field or employer using internet and print resources.
2. Identify people to interview
a. Find people to network with through faculty, advisors, LinkedIn, Pioneer Connect (du.alumnifire.com),
family, friends, extracurriculars, athletics, clubs, volunteer work, members of professional
associations, etc.!
3. Prepare for the interview
a. Develop a brief introduction of yourself and your hopes for the meeting.
b. Plan open-ended questions to ask.
4. Initiate contact
a. Contact the person by phone, email, or LinkedIn message.
b. Mention how you got his or her name/found their profile.
c. Ask when they have time to talk for a few minutes.
d. Emphasize that you are looking for information, not a job.
e. Ask for a convenient time to have a 20-30 minute appointment.
f. Be ready to ask questions on the spot if the person says it is a good time for him/her and that s/he
won’t be readily available otherwise.
Sample Telephone/E-Mail/LinkedIn Script for Requesting an Informational Interview:
"Hello. My name is Jane Wilson and I'm a current [insert field of study] student at the University of Denver. I
found your information through my research on professionals in the [field/industry] industry. I have become very
interested in [industry/company] and would like to learn more about your work. Would it be possible to
schedule 20 to 30 minutes with you at your convenience to ask a few questions and get your advice on how best
to prepare to enter the field?"
5. Conduct the informational interview
a. Dress neatly and appropriately, as you would for a job interview.
b. Arrive on time or a few minutes early.
c. Restate that your objective is to get information and advice, not a job.
d. Give a brief overview of yourself and your education and/or work background.
e. Be prepared to direct the interview, but also let the conversation flow naturally, and encourage the
interviewee to do most of the talking.
f. Take notes.
g. Respect the person's time. Keep the meeting length within the agreed-upon timeframe.
h. Ask the person if you may contact them again in the future with other questions.
i. Ask for names of other people to meet so ...
Information Interview your way to a Job Handout Jeff Watson
Everyone hopes to land an interview or get an opportunity to show themselves to their future employers. What if you swapped roles and YOU conducted the interview? Don't wait for an invitation to interview, make your own!
Learn the tactics involved in information Interviewing. Source Employers, ask intentional questions to make your opportunity count and follow up like a professional to advance the relationship. If you follow these simple steps, you can information Interview your way to a job!
Medical & Nursing Assistant Employment Search Strategies from Allen SchoolAllen School
Want to learn more about a particular job or career opportunity? Before you commit to apply, schedule an informational interview with a current Medical Assistant or Nursing Assistant to learn more about the position and it's responsibilities. Bonus: Informational Interviewing is great for networking too!
The interview is an opportunity to stand out and be noticed. An interviewer will often see many candidates in one day. The one who will be remembered is the one who had something interesting to say and left a definite impression.
PREPARE YOURSELF
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Understanding yourself is the first step when preparing for the interview. If you have spent time objectively considering what you have to offer to a prospective employer you will feel more comfortable presenting these strengths, skills and aptitudes to an interviewer. Taking the time to think through the following areas will help you to understand yourself better. Completing the exercises yourself and asking for the opinions of someone you trust will also help you to be objective and consider other people’s perceptions of you.
1. What is an informational interview and what can it do for me?
Informational interviewing is a process by which you locate and actually speak with
people who are currently employed in a field that interests you. It is your greatest
source of career information because it gives you a first-hand look at an
occupation—something you can’t achieve by conducting library research or just
taking a class.
Informational interviews can help you to:
Confirm your choice of career by exploring the day to day world of someone
who is working in the field
Build confidence and skill in your ability to talk about your career goals and
interests
Increase your vocabulary of the field
Make contact with potential employers
Gather additional referrals for information and job leads
Practice your interviewing skills in a relaxed environment
PLEASE NOTE: AN INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW IS NOT A JOB INTERVIEW!
The worst mistake you can make in an informational interview is to ask for a job! At this
stage of your job search, you are only in the business of seeking information about a
particular career path or field of interest.
HOW DO I PREPARE FOR AN INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW?
Preparation is the key to a successful informational interview. You will get more out of it
and you will leave a very positive impression if you prepare in advance. First you will
want to conduct research to gain important background information on specific career
fields or companies.
1. Read a variety of occupational information through links on the Career Services
website and other sites such as www.occsupplydemand.org, www.salary.com
2. Research careers by reading first hand interviews with real people in a variety of
professions.
3. Review professional journals associated with the field you are exploring. The
Library staff at CTC can be great resources for these periodicals. You will also
want to review the online job posting boards to learn about companies and hiring
trends.
4. Use self-assessment inventories to investigate career choices. You can access
FOCUS from the Career Services homepage.
5. Prepare a list of questions you want to ask during the interview.
6. Dress professionally and arrive on time for your informational interview.
QUESTIONS TO ASK IN AN INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW
Think about what you hope to gain from the interview and tailor your questions
accordingly. You may want to consider some of the questions listed below.
ABOUT THE OCCUPATIONAL FIELD
2. Tell me how you got started in this field.
How did you prepare for your position you have now?
What kind of skills and training are required for entry into this kind of work?
What kind of experience is important to have to enter this field?
What kinds of personal qualities are necessary to do this job well?
ABOUT THE PRESENT JOB
Describe how you spend your time during a typical day or week.
What are some of the greatest challenges you face in your position?
What are the greatest rewards?
What experiences have you had that have been most helpful in learning about
your field?
Tell me about the hours and kind of work schedule you generally keep.
What tends to be the average entry-level salary in your field?
EMPLOYER INFORMATION
Explain to me in greater detail what this company/organization does.
What is the size of your company/unit/office? Are there plans for future growth—
in what areas?
Who are your chief competitors? How has the global economy effected your
operations or goals?
What type of on-the-job training does your company/organization offer?
FUTURE CAREER PLANS
Do you have some specific career goals in mind?
If the work you do was eliminated, what different options might be open to you?
What related fields might you explore?
What kinds of employers hire people with your background?
What is the employment outlook in your field?
JOB HUNTING
How do people find out about jobs in this field or organization?
If you were hiring someone today, what would you look for in an employee?
ADVICE
Given what you know about my background, how well suited am I for this type of
work?
What other skills or educational training might I need?
What are some other related fields I should consider?
If you were just starting out, what would you do differently to prepare for your
position?
REFERRALS
Could you recommend any books or trade publications I should read?
Given what you know about my interests, can you suggest other people who may
offer me additional information?
3. Would it be possible for me to use your name when contacting them?
Add your own questions here:
GETTING THE INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW
A sample letter
980 S. Cobb Dr.
Marietta, GA 30060
August 30, 2008
Ms. Suzy Becker
Vice President and Manager
ABC Company
Marietta, GA 30066
Dear Ms. Becker,
In my desire to find a good job fit for my skills and experience, I have researched
several career path options and industries where I think I could make a contribution.
I will graduate this quarter from Chattahoochee Technical College. I would like to
speak with a professional working in the ……….field in order to learn firsthand what
kinds of jobs are available.
Your name was given to me by my instructor/Career Center. I am writing to you in
the hope that you will be able to assist me by either spending half an hour with me or
by referring me to someone in the area.
You may reach me at……….or via e-mail…………….. If you give me several
convenient times when I can reach you, I’ll return your call as soon as possible. I
will also take the liberty of calling you within the week to see if we might speak.
Thank you for your consideration.
4. Sincerely,
(your signature goes here)
Your name typed here
GETTING AN INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW
A sample telephone script
Think about what you’d like to communicate to the person with whom you are
seeking an informational interview. Then job down a brief script that will help you
remain focused and clear when you speak with your contact person. Here’s a
sample script to get you started!
1. Hello, my name is_________________. Have I reached you at a convenient
time?
2. I am a _________________major at Chattahoochee Technical College and am
participating in a Service Learning project at your organization.
3. I understand that you are quite knowledgeable about _______________ (career
field, profession or industry).
4. I’m calling to see if I might arrange an informational interview with you to discuss
____________________(career field, profession or industry.)
5. Might you have half an hour sometime in the next week or so to meet with me?
6. If the contact agrees to see you, thank him/her and make sure you have the
address, date and time of your meeting before you hang up the phone. You
might also want to get their e-mail address so that you can confirm the
appointment.
7. If the contact isn’t able to see you, don’t take it personally! Thank the person for
considering your request, and ask if they might refer you to someone else.
Good luck!
NOTES ON INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW
Date/time of
interview:___________________________________________________________
6. learn about __________________________ and I appreciated the interest you showed
in my academic and future plans.
As you suggested, I will contact ___________________ in the next week or so and
arrange a meeting to discuss ____________________. I look forward to learning more
about ____________________________. Thank you for offering this additional
opportunity.
I will be in contact from time to time, to keep you posted on my career direction.
Again, thank you for your assistance and time this week.
Sincerely,
(your signature)
Your name typed