What is an Informational Interview and Why YOU Should Request One

I've been in discussions with individuals in career transition, new college graduates, and individuals seeking to make a career change recently and the subject of "informational interviews" has come up several times.

Today, a contact asked me: "What is an informational interview?"

Those that know me and follow my blogs know that I like to blog my responses to questions I'm frequently asked. This achieves two goals:

1. It answers the question for the person who asked, and it's in a blog so they know they can always come back to my profile to review the response again if needed.
2. It gives me the opportunity to share my insights with anyone reading my blog.

So, here we go!

What is an Informational Interview?

An informational interview is SIMILAR to a job interview in that you are meeting with someone regarding a future career. You should dress professionally (if meeting in person), be respectful of their time, do your homework, come prepared, and follow up with a thank you note (letter, handwritten note, or email... I would not recommend a "thank you" text).

An informational interview is DIFFERENT than a job interview in one main reason: your goal is NOT TO ASK FOR A JOB.

This is important, so I'm going to repeat it: you are NOT asking for a job nor are you interviewing for a job in an informational interview.

Your goal with an informational interview is to gain INFORMATION.

You may be considering changing professions or industries. You may be a new college graduate considering career paths. You may be in career transition and seeking guidance.

During an informational interview, your goal is to pick their brain about entry requirements, candid comments about their profession/company/industry, and hopefully to gain insights to help you affirm your consideration of this potential move.

Q: Should I Bring My Resume to an Informational Interview?

A: Yes.

But wait, you're thinking... you just said I'm not asking for a job in an informational interview. You're right, I did.

Bring a resume with you in case the person ASKS to see your resume. Never offer the resume in an informational interview unless asked. And please, never email your resume to someone it unless they request it.

Q: What Types of Questions Should I Ask in an Informational Interview?

A: Ask any questions you have that help you gain information. Examples may include:

1. What made you choose this industry or profession?
2. What do you like best about this job?
3. What do you like least?
4. What is a skill or trait someone needs in order to be successful in your industry or profession?
5. What advice would you offer someone like me with regards to training, experience, education, or finding a job in your industry/profession?
6. How can I help you?
7. Is there anyone else you suggest I should speak with, and would you be willing to make an introduction, if appropriate, or give me suggestions on how to contact this person?

The last two questions are the MOST important part of an informational interview, in my opinion.

Question #6, “how can I help you?” demonstrates that you see your relationship as reciprocal. They are helping you by participating in the informational interview.

You, in turn, are offering to help them.

Question #7, “is there anyone else you suggest I speak with?” can help to put you into the direction of your NEXT informational interview.

You may have chosen someone who isn’t in exactly the role you are seeking, and they may have connections in your targeted role.

Or, you may learn insights in that informational interview that change the direction for your desired career.

Maybe you learn your dream job doesn’t sound so dreamy after all, and that’s OK. It’s better to learn this now rather than after 10 years when you’ve invested a good portion of time into that career.

Q: How Do I Find Someone for an Informational Interview?

A: LinkedIn. Start by looking at people who are in your targeted job title and have one other thing in common.

This might be a common city / metro area, or a common college you both attended. Alumni are typically willing to help others from their alma mater.

Use the LinkedIn “Search” feature to find these people. In your invitation to connect, make the invitation ALL ABOUT THEM. Do not request the informational interview… yet.

My suggestion on the note you send them, asking to connect: Hi (firstname), we haven’t met but (insert one or two things you have in common that you can find on their profile). Let’s connect on LinkedIn. YourFirstName Your LastName EXAMPLE: Hi Chris, we haven’t met but we both attended Central Michigan University and we’re both based in metro Detroit. Let’s connect on LinkedIn. Brenda Meller

Then, when Chris accepts your invitation, follow up with the request.

My suggestion on the response: Hey Chris, thanks for accepting my invitation. I’m starting to evaluate my next career and considering a job as a marketing manager, and see you have experience in that role. Would you be open to a 15-minute informational interview by phone to chat sometime? Brenda Meller

If the person offers to meet in person, GREAT! Ask them if they have a preferred location and what dates/times work best.

If they agree to the phone call, GREAT! Give them some dates and times to choose from.

Q: Anything Else I Should Know About an Informational Interview?

A: Yes. At the beginning of the interview (whether it’s by phone or in person), thank them for their time and remind them that your goal is to ask some questions and mention that you are NOT asking for a job.

Confirm how long they have for the conversation and keep track of time. When you approach the time, mention it and see if they can keep going for a few more minutes or if they need to end the conversation. Be respectful of their time.

If they say they only have 15 minutes, but then they can extend it for another half hour, GREAT. That means your informational interview is going well.

Finally, be sure to check in with this person from time to time. Let them know how their advice helped you, and offer to be a resource for them. And always be on the lookout to return the favor to them if and when you can.

Hope this helps you. Good luck on our career search! I've got a great feeling about you...

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Let's connect on LinkedIn: www.dhirubhai.net/in/brendameller.

Check out these related blogs:

• Your LinkedIn Profile Photo: https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/your-linkedin-profile-photo-brenda-meller-zawacki-/
• What You Need to Know About Your New LinkedIn Profile View - April 2018: https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/what-you-need-know-your-new-linkedin-profile-view-brenda/
• Your LinkedIn Headline Can Speak Volumes … Or Say Nothing at All: https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/your-linkedin-headline-can-speak-volumes-say-nothing-brenda/
• New Year, New Approach…to Promoting Your Freelance / Side Hustle on LinkedIn: https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/new-year-approachto-promoting-your-freelance-side-brenda/
• In Career Transition? Check out Toastmasters: https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/career-transition-check-out-toastmasters-brenda-meller-zawacki-/
• Have You HUGGED Your Employees Today?: https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/have-you-hugged-your-employees-today-brenda-meller-zawacki-/

Thinking of making a career change? Would you like some individual assistance with your LinkedIn profile? Contact me. I've worked with job seekers to provide LinkedIn consulting and training, and can help refresh your profile and provide hands-on LinkedIn training to give you a running start in your career search. Confidentially, of course. :)