Things You'll Need:
- Target contact list
- Business suit
- Copy of resume (optional)
- Personal notepaper (for thank you note)
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Step 1
The purpose of an informational interview is typically to gather as much information about a particular job, company and/or role in an industry without actually asking the interviewee for a job. The most useful time to set up an informational interview is when you are looking to change jobs within an industy, change industries, or both.
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Step 2
Adjust your attitude - an informational interview is less formal than a traditional interview. You should expect to do most of the talking and ask most of the questions. Smile.
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Step 3
Prepare your "elevator speech" in advance. This is a 30 - 45 second overview of your current or prior position and the position you are hoping to obtain (or an explanation that you haven't narrowed it down yet within a particular industry). Expect to be asked why you are making a change and be positive, make sure your pitch sounds like you are running toward a goal rather than away from an error. Don't spend too much time talking about yourself.
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Step 4
Prepare your questions in advance. For a more junior interviewee useful questions may be what is a typical day like, how much client contact they get v. time spent in the office behind a desk, whether they work as part of a team or as an individual contributor, what the expectations are in terms of workload. For a more senior person you might ask questions such as how did you get into this business, what is your favorite/least favorite/most challenging part of the position, what characteristics make someone successful in this business, (and for career changers) how can I make myself more attractive and/or demonstrate my commitment to this new career.
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Step 5
If the meeting is in the interviewee's office, ask if there is anyone else in the office they believe you should meet. If they like you, you might get introduced to everyone on the floor.
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Step 6
Ask if there are others in the industry they believe you should speak to and whether they would be comfortable using your name in contacting them.
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Step 7
Thank them for their time and help!!! And remember to follow up immediately with an email and hand-written thank you note.
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Step 8
Write down everything the interviewee said including any additional names they suggested you call.
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Step 9
After you meet with one of their referrals, send the interviewee an email letting them know you had the meeting, you enjoyed it, and thanking them again for the contact.
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Step 10
Finally - when you do successfully change careers or get a new job, follow up with everyone who took the time to meet with you, preferably by individually sent emails, letting them know where you ended up and suggesting that you get coffee or lunch after you are settled in to your new position.
