An informational interview is not a job interview.
It is a tool for researching a field or an organization and for connecting
with folks who may have a job opening in the future. They can vary widely
in length, formality, and in what they achieve.
Sources
for Informational Interviews
Perhaps the most important part of a job search is getting to know people
who are doing the type of work you want to do. Once you have some idea
about which organizations interest you, identify people to talk to. One
place to look is publications you have received or seen on the Internet;
these will often list staff members by project or position. But don't
overlook more creative ways of finding people. Talk to friends, parents
and their friends, even neighbors when you're standing at the bus stop
waiting for the perpetually late San Francisco MUNI buses - it's possible
and likely that they know someone who works in an organization that
interests you.
You absolutely can call people out of the blue and
ask to talk with them (see next section on the informational interview).
But it will be much easier to get a meeting with someone if you can drop
the name of someone they know.
Your highest goal, of course, is talking with the
person who makes hiring decisions, often the executive director or a
senior manager. But don't overlook project leaders and lower level staff
who handle day-to-day operations. They have the greatest awareness of
hiring needs and might influence decisions. Moreover, they will be the
first people to take your phone calls and view your resume. Sometimes it's
actually better to gather information first from someone who doesn't
make hiring decisions so you can get candid advice on how to market
yourself.
When networking, consider every person you meet.
Tell everyone that you're looking for a job. You never know whose
grandmother or niece is a director in the organization you're trying to
research. Everyone is a potential contact. Remember, if you don't tell
them, who will?
Securing
the Informational Interview
When approaching the individuals you have identified in your
search, it's crucial to remember that people love to be valued for what
they do and like to talk to others who are interested in their work -
especially those who share their ideals. It is just a matter of getting
time with them. There are a variety of ways to make initial contact, and
different methods are appropriate for different situations. E-mail is by
far the least invasive means of getting in touch with someone; the phone
is the fastest; and the letter (sent or faxed) is the most formal. You
will need to base your decision about which method to use on the size of
the organization, how quickly you want to establish contact, and how
accessible you think the person might be. If possible, ask your contacts
what method of correspondence they prefer. In many cases, an e-mail or
letter and a follow-up call are your best bet.
When you make contacts, ask people for an
"informational interview." In less formal terms, this means you
would like a chance to sit down with them -over coffee, lunch, or just in
their office - and learn about the work they do, the organizations for
which they work and have worked, and the types of opportunities for people
like yourself in that field. Make sure you are flexible and understanding
about scheduling the meeting, and be clear about how much time you'd like
to spend with them. Finally, be sure to thank contacts for taking time out
from a busy schedule to meet with you.
Goals
of the Informational Interview
- Learn about the organization or field and how you
can break into it
- Show your contact that you are articulate,
sincere, and serious about researching the field.
- Share your experience and skills with your
contact to help them better help point you in the right direction.*
- Find out names of other individuals or
organizations to which this contact can refer you.
*So it doesn't put off the interviewer and
to keep the tone of the meeting truly informational, you may offer your
resume as a way to share your background and as a starting point for your
conversation. Ask them for feedback and how they see your skills relating
to the field or organization you're interested in.
Preparing
for the Informational Interview
Three standard pieces of advice are to 1) Come prepared with
background knowledge on the organization and questions for your contact;
2) Be able to articulate your interests and how this person can help you;
and 3) Bring pen and paper. You can request the general information by
just calling the receptionist and asking for materials to be sent to you
(you can say that you're interested in volunteering), checking out the
website, or just dropping by to pick up literature. During the
informational interview, be aware of the time and respect the person's
schedule by being punctual and showing professionalism by noting when the
time is up. It is appropriate to let them be the ones to continue the
conversation in the manner easiest for them (whether it means continuing
the conversation now, setting up another time, or talking via e-mail).
Possible Topics of
Discussion
These are some questions you can initiate in order to get the most out
of your meeting.
- How did you get started in this field?
- How did you get involved in this organization?
- What kind of work do you do on a daily basis?
- What are the most rewarding and most mundane
aspects about your job? Field? Organization?
- What is the structure of this organization? What
are the different departments? What are the "internal
politics" like?
- What kind of people tend to get jobs here?
- What kinds of positions tend to open up for
people like me? What's the best way to find out about them? Are there
any open now?
- How do you and your colleagues deal with any
stress?
- What does it take for someone to be successful
and happy here?
- Where do you see this field growing?
- What do you wish you had known when you started
in this job? Field? Organization?
- What type of education would I need to work here?
- Who else should I talk to in this or another
organization in order to get more information about this type of work?
Be Prepared to Answer the
Following Questions:
- How did you become interested in this
organization/field?
- What kind of experience do you have in this
field?
- What type of job are you looking for?
Don't
Forget to Follow Up
First, make sure you write a thank you note immediately.
Informational interviews with individuals in nonprofit organizations are
most successful when you follow up with your contacts. So, you should also
plan to check in with your contact via e-mail or phone periodically in
order to find out if she has any leads or ideas for you. This not only
makes a good impression, but also keeps you on the "radar
screen."
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