Informational Interview

The term "informational interview" was invented by Richard Nelson Bolles, author of the best-selling career guide of all time, What Color Is Your Parachute? Bolles describes the process as "trying on jobs to see if they fit you." He notes that most people choose a career path without taking the time to speak with professionals in their field of interest. As a result, they find themselves in careers that are not a true match for their skills, values, interests, and abilities. Informational interviews give you the opportunity to conduct the screening process before accepting a position.

Unlike other types of job interviews, an informational interview is an interview that you initiate - you ask the questions. The purpose is to get information, not to get the job.

Following are some benefits of conducting informational interview:

• Gather valuable information from industry professionals on career planning and job search strategies.
• Discover employment opportunities that are not advertised.
• Access the most up-to-date career information.
• Receive specific suggestions on how and where to acquire the experience and knowledge required.
• Develop confidence for your job interviews.
• Expand your professional network in your field of interest.
• identify your professional strengths and weaknesses.

The process of informational interview:

1. Identify the occupation or industry you wish to learn about.
2. Do your own home work and research the occupation/industry. Prepare a list of questions that you would like to ask.
3. Identify people to interview. You can start with lists of people you already know - friends, relatives, professors, colleagues, neighbors, etc. Professional organizations, the yellow pages, organizational directories, and public speakers are also good resources. You may also call an organization and ask for the name of the person by job title.
4. Arrange the interview at the person's work site, so you can determine how it might feel to work there. Ask if you can have a specific amount of time to interview him.
5. Conduct the interview. Be polite and professional, keep to your agreed upon time frame. Before leaving, ask your contact to suggest names of others who might be helpful to your job search.
6. Immediately after the interview, record the information gathered and follow up with a thank-you note.

Informational Interview Questions:
A list of sample interview questions that you can use in your information interview.

Sample Interview Thank You Letter After A Informational Interview:
Always follow up your interview with a thank you letter.

Networking In Your Job Search:
Your online resources to find contacts for your information interviews.

Networking Letters:
A sample networking letters to initiate information interview.