How to Use Informational Interviews to Get Ahead
In today’s fast-paced and competitive job market, traditional job search methods like submitting resumes and waiting for responses are no longer enough to land your dream role. Networking, personal branding, and gaining industry insights are all essential to advancing your career. One of the most powerful but often overlooked tools for job seekers and professionals looking to make a career shift is the informational interview.
An informational interview is an informal conversation with someone working in your field of interest or a role you’re looking to pursue. Unlike a job interview, the goal of an informational interview is not to secure a job immediately, but to gather insights, advice, and establish valuable connections. This article will explore how to effectively use informational interviews to get ahead in your career.
What Is an Informational Interview?
An informational interview is a conversation you initiate with someone in a role or industry you are interested in, to learn more about their job, career path, and the industry they work in. During these interviews, you ask insightful questions that can help you make informed decisions about your own career trajectory, and gather valuable insights that could help you land a job down the road.
Though they don’t directly lead to job offers, informational interviews are a fantastic way to build relationships, get insider knowledge, and make yourself more visible to key decision-makers in your field. It’s important to approach these interviews with the understanding that the primary goal is to learn, not necessarily to ask for a job.
Why Informational Interviews Matter
Informational interviews can provide you with several benefits that traditional job searching methods simply cannot:
Gain Insider Knowledge: Informational interviews allow you to tap into the knowledge of industry experts. You’ll get insights about company cultures, industry trends, challenges, and opportunities that you would never have access to otherwise. This information can be crucial for making informed career decisions or adjusting your job search strategy.
Expand Your Network: These conversations give you the opportunity to meet people who could become invaluable contacts. By cultivating a relationship during the informational interview, you could potentially gain access to job openings, referrals, and other opportunities down the line.
Improve Your Job Search Strategy: If you’re unsure about your next career move, talking to people working in your desired field can help you clarify your goals. The feedback you get can guide your job search and help you understand what skills, experiences, and qualifications are most valuable.
Gain Confidence: Engaging in these types of conversations will build your confidence when discussing your career and aspirations. Knowing more about the roles and industries you are targeting will help you frame your job applications and interviews in a more informed and confident manner.
Stay Ahead of the Curve: The job market is constantly evolving, and having direct insights from those in the field will keep you informed on emerging trends, technologies, and practices. This gives you a competitive edge when navigating your career growth.
How to Prepare for an Informational Interview
Preparation is key to making the most out of your informational interview. Here are some steps to ensure you approach your meeting professionally and make the best use of the time.
Research the Interviewee: Before reaching out to someone for an informational interview, take the time to research their background. LinkedIn is an excellent resource to get to know their career trajectory, role, and company. Learn about their work and accomplishments so you can ask specific questions that demonstrate your interest and preparation.
Identify Your Objectives: What do you hope to achieve from the interview? Whether it’s gaining advice about a particular industry, learning about career progression in a specific field, or understanding the hiring process at a company, it’s important to have clear goals. Having a sense of purpose will guide your conversation and help you stay on track.
Prepare Questions: While you’re aiming to learn from the interviewee, it’s critical to prepare thoughtful questions that will give you the most insight. Some good questions include:
- Can you describe your typical day at work?
- How did you get started in your career? What steps did you take to get to where you are today?
- What skills and experiences are most valuable in your field?
- What are the biggest challenges currently facing your industry or company?
- What advice would you give to someone looking to get into this field?
Prepare Your Elevator Pitch: You may have the opportunity to briefly introduce yourself, so prepare a concise elevator pitch that sums up who you are, what you’re passionate about, and what you’re looking for. This will help the interviewee get a sense of your career background and your goals, and can set the stage for more productive discussion.
Be Ready to Listen: An informational interview is not just about asking questions; it’s about listening. The goal is to learn, so be sure to listen attentively and take notes. This will help you digest the information provided and follow up with thoughtful questions.
How to Find the Right People for Informational Interviews
The success of your informational interview largely depends on reaching out to the right people. You want to connect with individuals who are knowledgeable and can provide valuable insights into the field you’re interested in. Here are a few methods for identifying the best interview candidates:
Start with Your Network: Ask your friends, family, former colleagues, or professional contacts if they can introduce you to anyone working in your field of interest. Personal referrals often carry more weight than cold outreach, and your connection will likely be more open to helping you.
LinkedIn Searches: LinkedIn is a goldmine for finding people who work in the industries and roles you’re interested in. You can filter by company, job title, location, and more to identify professionals in your desired field. When you reach out, be polite, brief, and specific about your request.
Alumni Networks: If you attended college or university, reach out to the alumni network. Many schools have dedicated platforms or groups where graduates can connect. Alumni are often willing to help fellow graduates, as they understand the value of networking and paying it forward.
Industry Events and Conferences: Industry events, whether in person or virtual, can provide excellent networking opportunities. Use these occasions to meet potential informational interview candidates and ask if they’d be open to a brief conversation to share insights into their roles or industries.
Professional Associations and Groups: Join associations, societies, or online groups that focus on your area of interest. These organizations often hold events or meetings where you can meet people who are deeply embedded in the industry. They may be open to talking with you about their career and offering guidance.
How to Conduct an Informational Interview
Once you’ve set up an informational interview, it’s time to prepare for and conduct the conversation itself. Here are some tips on how to make the most out of the interview:
Be On Time and Professional: Treat the informational interview like a formal meeting. Be punctual, dress appropriately (even if it’s a virtual meeting), and respect the interviewee’s time. A typical informational interview should last between 20 and 30 minutes, but be respectful if the conversation runs a bit longer.
Start with Gratitude: Begin by thanking the person for taking the time to meet with you. Acknowledge that you value their expertise and are eager to learn from them. Showing appreciation sets a positive tone for the conversation.
Ask Thoughtful Questions: Now it’s time to ask the questions you’ve prepared. Focus on learning more about the interviewee’s experiences, career path, and insights. Be mindful not to ask questions that can be easily found through online research (e.g., “What does your company do?”).
Take Notes: During the conversation, jot down notes. This will help you remember key takeaways, and you can refer back to them when following up. Make sure your note-taking doesn’t distract you from the conversation or appear disinterested.
Be Engaged and Interested: Listen actively to what the interviewee says and engage with their answers. If they share something interesting or valuable, ask for more details or examples. Make sure to build on their responses by asking for clarification or offering a related question.
End with a Thank You and Next Steps: Once the conversation comes to a natural end, thank the person again for their time and insights. Before you leave, it’s helpful to ask if they can recommend other people you might speak with or resources you should explore. This can help extend your network and gather more information.
Following Up After the Interview
The follow-up is just as important as the interview itself. Sending a thank-you email within 24 hours shows professionalism and gratitude. Here’s what your follow-up should include:
- Express Appreciation: Thank them again for their time and insights.
- Mention Key Takeaways: Refer to something specific you learned during the conversation, to show that you were engaged and valued their advice.
- Stay in Touch: Let them know you’re looking forward to staying connected. If appropriate, ask if they’d be open to further conversations or check-ins.
A well-crafted follow-up message reinforces a positive impression and keeps you top of mind for future opportunities.
Conclusion
Informational interviews are a powerful tool for anyone looking to get ahead in their career. They provide an invaluable opportunity to gain insider knowledge, expand your network, and position yourself for success. By approaching these interviews with preparation, professionalism, and curiosity, you’ll not only learn more about your industry and career goals but also increase your chances of uncovering hidden job opportunities.
Incorporating informational interviews into your career strategy allows you to gather insights from those already working in your desired field, build relationships that can lead to future opportunities, and gain a deeper understanding of what it truly takes to succeed.