Berks & Beyond Blog

Are you new to the employment market?  Just out of school?  Making a career transition?  Looking for a change?  If so, an informational interview is a great way to help you:

• Learn about an industry, a profession, or a career path in a chosen field
• Set yourself apart from the crowd in a competitive job market
• Get tips on how to prepare for and enter a given career
• Gain valuable insider feedback on potential future job openings
• Sharpen interview skills that may have become a bit “rusty” from disuse
• Practice selling yourself and your personal brand

In short, this type of interview can provide you with invaluable visibility, information and practice – all in a low-stress setting.

Tips for Successful Informational Interviews

• Do your homework.  It goes without saying that you’ll get out of the informational interview process what you put into it.  Read industry journals and go online to research any company in which you’re interested – before making phone calls.
• Identify people to interview.  If you know anyone who could make an introduction for you, don’t be shy – ask him or her.  Additionally, you can contact an organization directly, or visit its website, to obtain names.
• Prepare for the interview.  Develop a short (15 – 30 second) overview of yourself, including your reasons for requesting the interview, as a way to introduce yourself and set a context for the meeting. 
• Initiate contact.  Contact the person by phone and mention how you obtained his or her name.  Ask if it’s a good time for the individual to talk for a few minutes, emphasizing that you are looking for information – not a job.  Request a convenient time to schedule a 20 – 30 minute appointment.
• Develop a question list.  Use online resources to create a list of informational interview questions to ask.
• Conduct the interview.  Dress the part and arrive a few minutes early – just as you would for a traditional interview.  Re-introduce yourself and ask your most pressing questions first.  Listen well, take notes if you’d like and respect the individual’s time by limiting the length of your interview.
• Find out how your skills will translate.  If you already know how your experience will benefit a potential employer, now is the time to say so.  But if you’re unsure where you might fit into a department or company, the informational interview provides a perfect opportunity to find out.
• Be honest.  Since you’re not interviewing for an available opening, be candid about your strengths and weaknesses, as well as career goals.  If your skills and priorities are not a match for a particular organization, the interviewee may be able to connect you with potential employers that are more in-sync with your needs.
• Say “Thank You.”  Be sure to let the individual know how much you appreciate the time and information.
• Follow-up.  Send a thank-you note within one to two days.  If appropriate, keep in occasional touch with this person – the relationship you initiate could become an important part of your network.

A Final Thought

Informational interviews can happen anywhere and anytime.  So keep an open mind and seize potential opportunities whenever they present themselves – because you never know who might be helpful in your career search.

If you’re in the market for a new job, or are just curious about what kind of jobs are available right now, please call Berks and Beyond today.  We offer a variety of excellent temporary and direct employment opportunities throughout Central and Southern Pennsylvania.