You’ve no doubt heard about informational interviewing but you may be wondering just what it is and how to go about it. Today’s post focuses on just that in hopes that you can utilize informational interviewing to expand your professional network and learn more about the potential opportunities on your horizon.



Informational Interviewing



According to Wikipedia, “ An Informational Interview is a meeting in which a job seeker asks for career and industry advice rather than employment. The job seeker uses the interview to gather information on the field, and to find employment leads and expand their professional network. This differs from an interview because the job seeker asks the questions.”



So how do you go about information interviewing?



Get to know people who can help you find your next job — not necessarily the people doing the hiring, but the people who know those people.



Make connections with local business leaders, government officials, bankers, commercial real estate professionals, and others who can network you into the top opportunities within the area.



Ask for the opportunity to meet with them to learn more about a specific company, opportunity, or the industry. Make it clear you are not asking them for a job — only for information which may be useful to your job search.



Professional Connections



Consider contacting members of the professional associations to which you belong.



Your colleagues can be a tremendous asset in helping you find unadvertised opportunities. Write a letter or email them asking for their help and assistance. You want contact names and numbers, ideas, and company information.



Be sure to ask if you can mention their name to “get in the door” with their contacts to arrange an informational interview.



Use Your Time Wisely



Prepare a list of questions to ask in the informational interview.



Ask questions related to the type of work required in the position, what kind of preparation is required for success in the job, which skills are used most often in the job, what qualities are appreciated in successful employees, and what the individual thinks are the prospects of finding a position in this field.



Ask Powerful Questions



Be sure to ask questions which allow the person you’re interviewing to talk about themselves.



How did they get started in the field?



What is their educational background?



What do they wish they knew when they got started that they know now?



What is the toughest part of their job?



What challenges/problems do they have that need solving?



Be Gracious



Get business cards from these contacts and write a personalized thank you note.



Follow-up with your resume and cover letter only when appropriate, or if you’re asked to provide them.



I hope these tips help you take those first steps in informational interviewing. If you have any wins–or any questions and comments–I hope you’ll reach out to me and let me know!



To your success!