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Sunday, March 21, 2010
Get the 411
An information-gathering session is a useful way to explore job options without the anxiety that attends a full-blown interview.
One savvy career move that is still underused, even in today's cutthroat job market, is the informational interview.
An informational interview is exactly what it sounds like. Instead of interviewing for a job, you ask questions to learn more about the organization, career track or industry, says Alison Doyle, a New York-based editor for About.com.
Besides knowledge and an expanded network, informational interviews help a jobseeker prepare for actual job interviews by providing deeper insight into a profession while building confidence and poise.
You're more likely to land an informational interview with some help. After selecting an interview subject, "Ask friends, family, fellow alumni and former co-workers if they know that person or another contact in the company," says Seattle interview coach Lewis Lin.
Once you've identified a contact, ask if he or she would feel comfortable making an introduction. Your initial call or e-mail should be to the point, providing your interviewee with a brief summary of your background and an explanation of what you hope to learn, Lin says.
Request a quick meeting. "It's hard for someone to say no to 20 minutes," Lin says.
Before the interview, find out as much as you can about the field, the company and your interview subject. "Don't ask questions you could have gotten off the company's Web site," Lin says.
And do not ask for a job. "It's fine to mention that you're job searching, but frame it that you're considering career options and seeking insight," Doyle says.
"Expect to do most of the questioning and have a list of questions ready," she adds.
Ask how the person got started with the company, the kinds of skills required for his or her job, and what the day-to-day duties and responsibilities are. You can then determine whether your experience and skills are a good fit for the industry or the company. Later, if you land a "real" interview, you can use the information to your advantage by emphasizing how your skills meet the company's needs.
Dress and prepare as if you're going to a job interview.
Keep in mind that an informational interview is not the time to sell yourself. However, "At the end of the conversation, ask you can leave a copy of your résumé," Doyle says. "In addition, it's appropriate to ask if the interviewee can recommend anyone else you could talk to."
Ask for a business card so you can write a thank-you note and keep the person apprised of your career advancements. "The person invested time in you," Lin says, "so your progress will be of interest to them."
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