Restate that your objective is to get information and advice , not a job. Give a brief overview of yourself and your education and/or work background. Be prepared to direct the interview, but also let the conversation flow naturally and encourage the interviewee to do most of the talking. Respect the person’s time.
How do I do an informational interview?
- Be prepared before you send an email.
- Use a thoughtful subject line.
- Be concise.
- Briefly describe yourself.
- Explain how you found them.
- Acknowledge their accomplishments.
What happens in an informational interview?
An Informational Interview (also known as an informational meeting, coffee chat, or more generically, networking) is a conversation in which a person seeks insights on a career path, an industry, a company and/ or general career advice from someone with experience and knowledge in the areas of interest.
What should you never do in an informational interview?
- Arrive too early. Don’t come more than five minutes before an appointment. ...
- Dress down. Offices are much less formal these days. ...
- Forget your resume. ...
- Fail to prepare. ...
- Walk in without a goal. ...
- Have no ask. ...
- Ask for a job. ...
- Assume unlimited time.
What is the main purpose of an informational interview?
Purpose of Informational Interviews:
The interviews usually last 20 to 30 minutes at the most. The purpose of an informational interview is not to get a job. Instead, the goal is to find out about jobs you might like-to see if they fit your interests and personality .
How do you end an informational interview?
“At the end of the interview–which shouldn’t last more than 30 minutes –ask if the individual could recommend anyone else you should speak with.” Follow up with a thank-you note or e-mail. “Always, always, always write a thank-you note or e-mail, regardless of how helpful the informational interview was,” Brooks says.
How many occupations should you focus on during your informational interviews?
Set the tone
It’s also a good idea to state at the outset that “you’re interested in talking to 10 or 15 industry experts ” during your information-gathering phase. “That way, the person will start to process the fact that you are looking for additional sources early on.
Are informational interviews worth it?
You not only can learn more about jobs and companies from these experiences, but you can also discover specifics about the field as a whole or career paths you didn’t even know existed. And if nothing else, these meetings assist you in meeting new people, building relationships, and expanding your network.
How do you introduce yourself in an informational interview?
Your letter should include: Page 5 5 A brief introduction about yourself; Why you are writing to this individual; A brief statement of your interests or experiences in the person’s field, organization or location; Why you would like to converse; be straightforward; tell him/her you are asking for information and advice ...
How many questions are asked in an informational interview?
Conducting an informational interview is simple. Prepare with 5–10 engaging informative interview questions . Make sure the interviewee talks 95% of the time. Use good listening skills to make the interviewee feel good.
Do you bring a resume to an informational interview?
4. Bring Your Resume. Don’t be caught off guard if your informational interviewee asks you interview-like questions—you should always be prepared to share your skill set, capabilities, and accomplishments if you’re asked. Better yet, bring your resume .
What is a good question to ask during an informational interview?
Select questions that are appropriate for your target career field and stage of decision-making. You can ask about such topics as the nature of a person’s work , how to get started in the field, or effective approaches for the job search.
Can an informational interview lead to a job?
Informational Interviews are Great Practice.
Knowing you aren’t interviewing for a particular job is helpful. ... So, while you may not get a job from an informational interview, it will help you prepare for real job interviews and leave you with a better chance of getting an offer then.
What do you mean by informational interview?
An informational interview is an informal conversation you can have with someone working in an area of interest to you . It is an effective research tool and is best done after preliminary online research. It is not a job interview, and the objective is not to find job openings.
What is the difference between an interview and an informational interview?
An informational interview is a meeting between two people. ... The informational interview is different than a job interview , because the conversation is not about hiring for a specific position, and in this situation, you’re the person asking questions about the industry, a career path, or a company.
How long should an informational interview take?
Informational interviews are typically 15-30 minutes in length , as it’s more convenient for the employed professional to commit to a smaller time commitment.
