Informational Interviews

Just thought I'd share a particularly good insight from an online chat this morning

Quote from a recent online chat at the Washington Post by Amy Joyce

Informational interviews: Amy, someone asked you at the end of a recent chat about informational interviews. I've done several this summer as part of my job search and wanted to share what I've learned.

I think they're most useful for practice interviewing (we all need that, right?) and for learning more about current issues and buzzwords in an industry, especially if you're looking to make an industry shift.

The absolute best way to get an informational interview is by getting a referral from someone you know. People seem very suspicious otherwise, but are much more willing to talk if you can say, "So-and-so suggested I contact you about my interest in your field." Do this by e-mail, then follow up by phone.

Expect the process to take a looong time. People won't get back to you right away, will be busy, will be on vacation, etc., but generally they will get back to you eventually.

Don't make the informational interview a thinly veiled job pitch. But do ask for a referral at the end of the interview: "Can you recommend anyone else who might be helpful for me to talk to?" Everyone I spoke to gave me at least one name, some gave me many, and then I had that referral I needed to call someone else.

What I got out of my informational interview quest was a lot of contacts (though no job offers) and an ability to talk really fluently about the industry I'm in, which helps me feel more confident in approaching job interviews (which I'm finding in the traditional ways, e.g., newspaper, etc.).

Good luck!

Amy Joyce: Thank you! People often ask about info interviews... how to get them, what to do with them, etc. This is great info. Thanks for sharing.