The document provides information about conducting informational interviews. Informational interviews allow job seekers to learn about different careers and industries directly from people working in those fields. They provide more up-to-date, specific, and personalized information than other sources. Informational interviews can help job seekers with career planning and reality checks, and can potentially lead to job opportunities as employers prefer candidates who have shown initiative through informational interviews.

1. The following is a summarized version of the workshop offered by St. Lawrence College Employment Service.
For more information please contact us at 613-545-3949 ext. 1674 or email ESK@sl.on.ca

2.  An informational interview is a meeting requested by you, the job seeker,
to gather key information for your career planning (e.g. academic major
or career).
 It gives you a chance to learn about the labour market,
and can generate job leads.
 It’s a good way to “reality check “ what you
have read, heard, and thought.

3.  To get valuable information for your career planning.
 To do a reality check on what you've read, heard and thought of.
 To gather information that, when compared to many other sources,
is:
 more up to date
 more specific and related to the local situation
 more personal and subjective
 more reflective of the "on the job" atmosphere

4.  Build familiarity and trust with employer
 You are more memorable to an employer; you are no
longer JUST a resume in a pile
 You are more likely to be considered for a job, compared
to an unknown candidate applying through the internet
 Most employers prefer candidates who are more familiar
to them & have shown initiative – this reduces risk in
hiring someone unknown

5. When creating an elevator pitch, offer a quick summary of who
you are…
When networking or cold calling those within your field, in
general:
1. Indicate type of work you are seeking
(occupation or industry)
2. Ask a question at end

6.  Do you have any contacts in this industry?
 Could I meet with you to ask
you a few questions?

7.  Have a primary & secondary objective for call
 Know the name of person to whom you wish to speak
 Indicate your name & background
 Explain how you got his/her contact information
 Always be prepared for objections, they come in many
forms
 Be courteous

8. "Hello Mrs./Mr. …….., my name is _____. I'm conducting career
research in your field, as it’s an area I’m considering re-training.
Could we meet so I can talk with you for about 20 minutes so
that I can find out more about your field of expertise."