Informational Interviewing

One of the most basic networking activities is the informational interview, which allows you to ask questions about a career field, company, or industry. The informational interview can give you insight into successful strategies for breaking into a particular field or company, and it's also a good way of establishing contacts who may be able to share job leads and other information with you later.

Identify your contact and research the company and career field you want to learn about. Next, develop a list of 10-15 relevant questions. Be sure to include a few questions about your contact's personal career path - how she got where she is, what she thinks are valuable skills and abilities for the job, and the like. The better your questions, the more your contact will remember you. Your contact will want to know what has brought you here. Develop a 2-minute "commercial" giving a picture of your experiences, skills, interests, and future goals. This will help your contact understand how to best help you.

Plant and Tend.

To set up an informational interview, you'll need a cover letter - one that may read very much like a cover letter for a job. In this letter, however, you state that you are interested in gaining information about a particular career or company - not a position. Be sure to conclude your letter by letting the contact know you will follow up. Passive, I-look-forward-to-your-call letters won't work. You're requesting this individual's time; don't waste any of it by expecting her to call you first. Instead, end with something like, "I will call you on September 12 to arrange a convenient time to speak with you about [company/organization name]."

Be persistent in trying to reach your contact; remind her of your letter and your reason for calling. Emphasize that you are not asking for a job but would like to schedule a phone appointment or face-to-face meeting to discuss your intended career field, the industry, or the organization. Be sensible and don't ask your contact for too much, like a large block of time or an introduction to the company president.

Reap What You've Sown.

Treat your informational interview like any job interview. Wear a suit, bring a list of questions to ask and extra resumes, and know (and be prepared to talk about) yourself and your skills. At the start of this meeting, explain exactly what it is you are seeking: information, feedback, assistance gearing your resume to the market, and so forth. Before you launch into your questions, present a mini-commercial about yourself. You might say, "Ms. Smith, before I ask you my questions about your company and pharmaceutical sales, I'd first like you to know a little about me. That way you'll know how my background has affected my choice of career and why I will appreciate your input so much."

Don't Cut and Run!

Maintain relationships with people who've taken the time to meet with you. Follow up on the contacts they supply, and provide feedback on what you've accomplished. Don't let old contacts linger too long without a follow up. The manager you spoke with last week might have an opportunity present itself tomorrow.

Networking can help your career "blossom;" it can help you gain valuable colleagues and mentors as well as learn about job opportunities. Cultivate this valuable skill now; it's one that can carry you through your work life.

Informational Interview Questions You can Ask

This is only a sample list of questions that you may want to ask during an informational interview. An informational interview should be a low-stress, relaxed way to find out about someone's career or place of employment.

Questions about your contact's career path:

• How did you enter the ______________ field?
• What education, training, and/or experience do you have?
• What jobs did you have before your current one?
• What were the primary factors that led you to choose this field?

Questions about your contact's current job:

• What do you do during a typical workday or week? How much time do you spend in meetings, on the phone, with others, or away from the office?
• What skills and abilities are the most important in your work?
• What do you find most rewarding and frustrating about your job?
• How do you manage your time and balance work and family?
• What kinds of people do you typically interact with? Are they internal or external?
• How much flexibility do you have in terms of decision-making, self-expression, and innovations?

Questions about your contact's organization:

• How is your organization structured and how does your job fit in?
• How many employees are there in your area, what are their backgrounds, and job titles?
• Is there in-house training or opportunities for professional development?
• What is the average starting salary for someone in the company?
• What are the company's mission and goals?
• What is the hiring process at your company? What types of job interviewing questions are asked?
• Describe the work environment (pace, culture, etc.)
• How do you handle office politics?

Questions about career planning and management:

• What relevant professional associations, journals, or publications do you recommend?
• What courses and/or activities would you recommend to help me become more marketable?
• Could you critique my resume?
• Could you coach me on my job interviewing skills?
• What is the average beginning salary for someone in the field?
• How do you find job openings in this field?
• Do you know anyone else I can call for some advice or information?

 

The Name Game

If you're trying to identify someone at a company of interest - to develop a "cold" contact - but don't know the person's name, call the company and try this scenario: Company Operator: "Hello. Thank you for calling [company/organization name]. How may I help you?" You: "Hello. Could you please tell the name of the individual in charge of the sales department?" O: "Yes, that would be Sally Jenson." Y: "Thank you. And what is her official title?" O: "Her title is vice president of marketing and sales." Y: "Thank you very much-you've been very helpful, Ms . . . . (Pause)" O: "My name is Sarah Thomas." Y: "Thank you, Ms. Thomas, I appreciate your time." (Hang up.)

 

Updated 06/11/06