Informational Interviewing

Informational interviewing is a means by which one can learn about specific career fields and occupations by talking with professionals who are actually in that field. It is good way to understand a particular job or field, or get to know a company. An informational interview is normally conducted at the professional's place of business, however phone and email interviews are also possible. The purpose of this type of interview is to gather information. It is not to ask for a job.

Guidelines to a Successful Informational Interview

Locate potential interviewees

• Think of personal contacts you may have through family, friends, relatives, professors, past employers, or classmates.
• Use the career counselors and the Cooperative Education & Career Development Center resources to help identify contacts.

Make the initial contact

• Make initial contact with the person through a letter (see sample letter)
• Follow the letter with a phone call (see telephone script) to confirm they received the letter and to schedule a time for the interview. Do not assume when you call they will be ready for an interview. Schedule a 15-20 minute time slot when you will call them back.
• Do some home research before you interview the employer. You will not make a favorable impression by asking questions that could be easily answered in the organizational literature or readily available resources, like the Internet.

During the interview

• If visiting, dress professionally and be on time for the interview. If you can not make the appointment, call and reschedule.
• Be prepared with a list of questions (see below). Try to ask open-ended questions that will lead to discussion, rather than yes and no questions.
• Do not extend the interview past the time limit set by you and the employer unless he/she is willing to continue.

After the interview

• Always send a thank you letter promptly after the interview.
• Keep this persons name and telephone number, plus the information you covered, because this person could serve as a good contact for you in the future.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS

• How did you begin in this field?
• How much education is required for this type of position? What major(s) might best prepare someone for this position?
• Is there any other special training required?
• Is there any training you wished you would have had before entering your profession?
• What personal characteristics do you believe are helpful for success and satisfaction in this job?
• What type of extracurricular experiences would be good background for this job?
• Are there any professional organizations in the field?
• To whom do you report? How many people (if any) report to you?
• How does your work fit into the organization?
• What are some of the opportunities for advancement?
• How do you spend a typical day/week (paperwork, meetings, supervising, etc.)?
• What is the range of your duties and responsibilities?
• Do you work primarily alone or in collaboration with others?
• How would you characterize your working relations (formal, informal, etc.)?
• Do you determine how you structure your time or is that determined for you?
• Are you required to travel? How often?
• What is the present employment outlook for this field? Future?
• How do you see the jobs in the field changing over the next five to ten years?
• What are the greatest rewards and toughest demands of your job?
• What advice would you give to someone trying to break into the field?
• How can I market myself effectively for a position in this field?
• How do people usually learn about job openings in your field?
• Do you know of anyone else with whom it might be helpful for me to speak?

INTRODUCTION LETTER - EXAMPLE

SETTING UP THE INTERVIEW - Telephone Script

TUESDAY MORNING, 8:30 AM
Ring, Ring, Ring

Secretary:"ABC Corporation, Mrs. Jones speaking. May I help you?"
Doug:"Yes, May I speak with Ms. Smith please?"

Secretary:"Ms. Smith is in a meeting now, may I take a message?"
Doug:"Can you tell me when she might be available?"

Secretary:"She should be available this afternoon. May I take your name and number and have her call you?"
Doug:"This is Doug Short, a student from Bergen Community College. My schedule is rather hectic today. I will call back later this afteroon."

TUESDAY AFTERNOON, 3:00 PM
Ring, Ring, Ring

Secretary:"ABC Corporation, Mrs. Jones speaking. May I help you?"
Doug:"Yes, Mrs. Jones. This is Doug Short. May I speak with Ms. Smith please?"

Secretary:"Just one moment please...Ms. Smith is out for the rest of the day. May I take a message?"
Doug:"This is Doug Short. I spoke with you earlier today. I am currently researching the biotechnology field and would like to speak with Ms. Smith to ask her a few questions about her experiences in this field. Could you tell me when would be a good time to contact her?"

Secretary:"Ms. Smith will be in her office Thursday morning around 9:00. If you give me your number, I will leave her a message to call you."
Doug:"Thank you. Could you please let her know that I phoned again and that I will call her back Thursday morning? I appreciate your helpfulness."

THURSDAY MORNING, 9:00 AM
Ring, Ring, Ring

Secretary:"ABC Corporation, Mrs. Jones speaking. May I help you?"
Doug:"Hello Mrs. Jones. This is Doug Short. I spoke with you on Tuesday about meeting with Ms. Smith. Would it be possible to speak with her now?"

Secretary:"Just one moment please, I will put your call through."
Ms. Smith:"Hello. Amy Smith speaking."

Doug:"Ms. Smith. My name is Douglas Short and I am student at Bergen Community College. You should have recently received my letter expressing my interest in your career field. I am currently researching biotechnology as a career choice and would like to gather more information from someone in this field. If possible, I would like to speak with you fora half hour of so about position in the field."
Ms. Smith:"Well, we are not hiring right now!"

Doug:"That's okay. At this point I am not looking for a job, just some information regarding the field. I would only need about 20 minutes of your time."
Ms. Smith:"In that case, I might be able to fit you in next week sometime....How about next Thursday at 11:00?"

Doug:"Next Thursday at 11:00 will be fine. I will call you at that time. I am looking forward to learning more about your experience in biotechnology. Thank you."