Informational Interviews
The information interview is an invaluable tool for career exploration, in which jobseekers meet with professionals in their industry or career of interest to ask them questions about their field, industry, or particular type of work. The information you obtain -- ideally, the kind you will not find in a book -- can help you decide whether or not the career in question is right for you.
Job Seekers are often surprised at how willing professionals are to discuss and share information about their work. A key thing to remember however is that informational interviews are *not* job interviews; they are opportunities for you to learn more about specific career paths, and to make contacts within your industry of interest.
Review the steps below for prepairing for and conducting informational interviews - you can always speak with a career counselor to learn more about this process.
Identifying interview prospects:
1. List the people you know who either work in your area of interest, or might know someone who does. Ask friends, relatives, teachers, and acquaintances to suggest people to contact.
2. Identify organizations and the relevant departments that employ people doing the kind of work you are investigating, as well as any related professional associations.
3. Concentrate on locating people who do the kind of work you are exploring.
Arranging the interview:
The following applies whether you approach someone in person or by phone.
1. Introduce yourself, and state how you learned the person's name. If the contact is a referral, mention the name of the person who referred you. Begin by explaining the purpose of your call. Preparing what you want to say beforehand can make this part easier. Explain that you are investigating (state your area of interest), and that you are trying to get an insider's view. You have read literature on the field, and would now like to interview someone to get a more personal perspective. Be clear that you are not looking for a job; rather, you are seeking information that will help you make a career decision.
2. Request to meet the person at his/her place of work, at a time convenient for him/her. Indicate that the interview will not take long.
3. If they cannot meet with you, ask him/her if the name of another individual who might be willing to talk to you can be provided to you.
Conducting the interview:
1. Prior to the interview, think about what you are looking for in a career or occupation. Ask your contact for his or her experiences on and opinions about the job. Remember that their feelings about an individual employer may differ from their feelings about the nature of the work. After the interview, you can compare the contact's information with what you are looking for in a career.
2. Confirm salary levels in the field.
3. Stay alert to your surroundings; would you like to work in that environment?
4. Focus on the topic.
5. Make sure you explore the negatives as well as the positives.
6. It is okay to take notes, but do not copy verbatim what the contact says, and do not use a tape recorder.
7. At the close of the interview, ask your contact if he/she can suggest others who might be willing to provide additional information or insight.
8. Always remember to send a thank you note. You never know when you will need to talk to your contact again.
Reminders:
1. Read about your area of interest before the interview; this will enable you to ask insightful questions and to acquire more useful information.
2. Many people enjoy talking about their work, and will be happy to share some time with you; do not hesitate to call -- you are not imposing.
3. Arrange at least three interviews in order to get a balanced perspective.
4. Dress for the information interview as you would for a job interview.
5. Respect your contact's time; 20 to 30 minutes is long enough.
6. You are interviewing your contacts about their jobs, not for a job.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER DURING CAREER EXPLORATION
GETTING STARTED
1) What academic training is most appropriate for someone entering this field?
2) What skills are required to enter this field?
3) How does one get started in this type of work?
4) What factors are hiring decisions in this field based on?
5) What personality traits/ characters are valued by employers in this field?
6) What are the typical entry-level positions?
7) What are typical entry-level salaries?
8) What professional associations are connected to this field?
9) How does one find out about job openings?
10) In which regions are the best opportunities for employment?
THE NATURE OF THE WORK
11) What are the typical responsibilities of workers in this occupation?
12) What is an average day on the job like?
13) What is the typical work environment like?
14) What are the major frustrations in this line of work?
15) What are the greatest rewards in this field?
16) Are there many opportunities to work independently?
17) Will it be necessary to supervise other workers?
LIFESTYLE CONSIDERATIONS
18) Is travel or relocation common in this field?
19) How much flexibility is there regarding dress, hours, vacation, etc.?
20) Is evening or weekend work often required?
FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
21) What are the opportunities for in-service training/professional development?
22) What are the opportunities for advancement within this field?
23) What is the employment outlook for the field?
24) What is the income potential for this field?
IN CLOSING
25) What other resources/people can I consult for more information?
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Quintessential Careers Informational Interviewing Tutorial
http://www.quintcareers.com/informational_interviewing.html