How To Get More Informational Interviews
Informational interviews are underutilized yet essential opportunities in the job search process. They are a way to connect with people in your desired field, gather valuable information, and build professional relationships that can lead to job opportunities.
If you're a recent graduate or changing careers, informational interviews can help you gain insights into different industries and roles, expand your network, and demonstrate your interest and commitment to your career goals. For mid to late-career professionals, informational interviews can make your job search goal of (this time) being picky about who you work for and what role you accept.
While you may get lucky with one great informational interview, you will expand your options if you make landing a handful of informational interviews your primary job search strategy. Here are some tips on how to get more informational interviews during your job search.
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Research Your Target Companies And Individuals
The first step in securing informational interviews is to identify the companies and individuals you would like to speak with. You should research companies that are in your desired field and industries that interest you. You should narrow down their mission, vision, values, recent successes or contributions to the industry, and challenges they’re facing as a start.
You can also reach out to friends, family members, and professional contacts to see if they know anyone who works in your desired field. This can also help you create a list of potential companies and individuals to reach out to for informational interviews.
Struggling to get your foot in the door? This step-by-step Employer Targeting Plan helps you narrow down what your ideal employer looks like and target those companies instead of job titles
Refine Your Initial Message
Once you have a list of target companies and individuals, it's time to prepare a compelling message to reach out to them. Your message should be brief, professional, and concise while not sounding self-interested. Start by introducing yourself and explaining why you are reaching out. Instead of asking for an informational interview to learn more about job opportunities, request a brief conversation to learn more about their industry, career path, and any advice they have for someone like you.
Make sure to tailor your message to each individual and company, highlighting your shared interests and reasons for reaching out. This is where your research will come in handy!
Utilize LinkedIn
LinkedIn is an amazing tool for connecting with professionals and finding opportunities for informational interviews. You can search for individuals who work in your desired field, industry, or targeted company and then reach out to them directly through LinkedIn. In fact, you can sort and filter through lists of employees directly on the Company Page.
Also, update your LinkedIn profile with your new career goals and the keywords users would use to search for someone like you to help you attract more of the right profile views. Your profile can automate searching for individuals that you may want to connect with and schedule informational interviews with when your profile is complete with details that suggest your profile to others under “People You May Know” sections.
Attend Events And Networking Opportunities
Attending events and networking opportunities is another way to connect with people in your desired field and find opportunities for informational interviews. You can attend in-person and virtual job fairs, industry conferences, and local networking events to learn about different industries and make new contacts. These events are also a great way to learn about job openings and opportunities in your desired field.
Get my comprehensive list of industry associations for 30+ of the top career fields and 16 icebreakers that don’t start with “How are you?” or “What do you do?” with this step-by-step Trade & Professional Association Networking Plan…
Be Persistent, But Not Pushy
Persistence is key when trying to secure informational interviews. If you don't hear back from someone, don't be afraid to reach out a second time utilizing another communication method. For example, if you reached out first by LinkedIn connection request then try sending an email.
However, be respectful of the person's time and schedule, and don't pester them with multiple messages. If they decline your request, be gracious and thank them for their time. Don’t be pushy.
Ask This At The End Of Every Informational Interview
Once you secure an informational interview, it's important to be prepared. You should prepare a brief introduction about yourself and your career goals, and be ready to share your resume if asked. Make sure to research the individual's company and industry, and come up with a list of questions to ask during the interview.
The most important question you can ask to get more informational interviews is, “Is there anyone else you recommend I reach out to learn more about this career path, industry, or company?” Getting referrals for informational interviews is one of the most effective ways to meet others in your targeted field and build your professional network.
Conclusion
Informational interviews are valuable for anyone who is looking to make a career change or find new opportunities. By reaching out to individuals in your desired field, you can gain insights into different industries and career paths. Being prepared with guided questions and polite by following up with a thank-you note or email to the individual will help you increase your business contacts and, over time, transform them into professional friendships that support you in your career growth.
Author Profile: Steph Cartwright, CPRW
Steph Cartwright is a Certified Resume Writer, LinkedIn Strategist, and Founder of Off The Clock Resumes. She helps job seekers get unstuck and get a foot in the door at the companies they’d love to work for with their resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and job search plans.
What’s keeping you stuck in your job search? Take this quiz to find out…
Will informational interviews have a larger role in your job search moving forward?
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