The informational interview Its not a thing!

The informational interview Its not a thing! TweetWell, not a single thing, anyway. There are at least three different types of informationals. Each is a different animal, with different strategies to get the most benefit from them. And benefits they have. For example, it has been estimated that one in 12 informational interviews results in a job,making it the most powerful form of job search networking. It has a much higher success rate than applying to job openings online, where the odds are more like one in 200. What are these three different types of informational interviews? Ill call them the Career Exploration Informational, the Company Insider Conversation and the Hiring Manager Meeting. In this and the next two posts Ill explore each type individually, and then in the fourth post Ill share some crucial tips for success that are common to three types. The Career Exploration Informational Interview This type of interview focuses on the interviewees occupation. If youre not sure what kind of job you want to do, its time for some research. Read up on various occupations online, then talk to people who are working in an occupation youre considering. This isnt just for students any more. With the average person changing careers five to seven times, this kind of informational can help a person of any age get a better sense of whether that new career idea is really a good fit. The discussion is likely to focus on questions like these: Why did you decide to enter this field? What is your typical day like? On which activities do you spend the largest amount of time? Is your job typical of this occupation, or unusual? What do you like best about what you do? What do you like least? What advice do you have for me if I decide to enter this career? What other resources should I look into? That last question is especially important! If your contact recommends a website, publication, training program, organization orbetter yetsomeone else to talk to, you now have next steps to pursue in your career exploration. Promise to follow up: Thank you so much! Ill follow up on your suggestions and let you know how it went. That way you can continue the relationship with an occasional emailed update, and because you said you would follow up, your contact wont be surprised. Theyll see you as keeping your promise. Connecting on LinkedIn can help keep the two of you on each others radar screens and provide additional opportunities to interact. (Remember to check Notifications on the menu bar, preferably daily.) In the best case scenario, an ongoing mentor-mentee relationship may develop. This type of informational interview may be the easiest to get, especially if youre a student but even if you arent. Having an introduction from a mutual acquaintance always helps and LinkedIn can be very helpful here or having something in common, such as being fellow alumni. If theres no special connection, just ask anyway. Youd be surprised how many people will say yes. Its flattering to be seen as an expert, and the interview is a chance to give back and make a difference for someone. Crucial tip: It may be easier to get an informational interview if you dont call it one! The phrase sounds formal, and just too much like working. Instead, call it a career research conversationor just, a chance to hear your thoughts. In the next post, How to Use Info Interviews to Get Hired Faster, well explore a very different animal, the Company Insider Conversation: how to land such meetings, and how to navigate them in a way thats comfortable for both parties, builds relationships, and paves the way for opportunities. The informational interview Its not a thing! TweetWell, not a single thing, anyway. There are at least three different types of informationals. Each is a different animal, with different strategies to get the most benefit from them. And benefits they have. For example, it has been estimated that one in 12 informational interviews results in a job,making it the most powerful form of job search networking. It has a much higher success rate than applying to job openings online, where the odds are more like one in 200. What are these three different types of informational interviews? Ill call them the Career Exploration Informational, the Company Insider Conversation and the Hiring Manager Meeting. In this and the next two posts Ill explore each type individually, and then in the fourth post Ill share some crucial tips for success that are common to three types. The Career Exploration Informational Interview This type of interview focuses on the interviewees occupation. If youre not sure what kind of job you want to do, its time for some research. Read up on various occupations online, then talk to people who are working in an occupation youre considering. This isnt just for students any more. With the average person changing careers five to seven times, this kind of informational can help a person of any age get a better sense of whether that new career idea is really a good fit. The discussion is likely to focus on questions like these: Why did you decide to enter this field? What is your typical day like? On which activities do you spend the largest amount of time? Is your job typical of this occupation, or unusual? What do you like best about what you do? What do you like least? What advice do you have for me if I decide to enter this career? What other resources should I look into? That last question is especially important! If your contact recommends a website, publication, training program, organization orbetter yetsomeone else to talk to, you now have next steps to pursue in your career exploration. Promise to follow up: Thank you so much! Ill follow up on your suggestions and let you know how it went. That way you can continue the relationship with an occasional emailed update, and because you said you would follow up, your contact wont be surprised. Theyll see you as keeping your promise. Connecting on LinkedIn can help keep the two of you on each others radar screens and provide additional opportunities to interact. (Remember to check Notifications on the menu bar, preferably daily.) In the best case scenario, an ongoing mentor-mentee relationship may develop. This type of informational interview may be the easiest to get, especially if youre a student but even if you arent. Having an introduction from a mutual acquaintance always helps and LinkedIn can be very helpful here or having something in common, such as being fellow alumni. If theres no special connection, just ask anyway. Youd be surprised how many people will say yes. Its flattering to be seen as an expert, and the interview is a chance to give back and make a difference for someone. Crucial tip: It may be easier to get an informational interview if you dont call it one! The phrase sounds formal, and just too much like working. Instead, call it a career research conversationor just, a chance to hear your thoughts. In the next post, How to Use Info Interviews to Get Hired Faster, well explore a very different animal, the Company Insider Conversation: how to land such meetings, and how to navigate them in a way thats comfortable for both parties, builds relationships, and paves the way for opportunities. The informational interview Its not a thing! TweetWell, not a single thing, anyway. There are at least three different types of informationals. Each is a different animal, with different strategies to get the most benefit from them. And benefits they have. For example, it has been estimated that one in 12 informational interviews results in a job,making it the most powerful form of job search networking. It has a much higher success rate than applying to job openings online, where the odds are more like one in 200. What are these three different types of informational interviews? Ill call them the Career Exploration Informational, the Company Insider Conversation and the Hiring Manager Meeting. In this and the next two posts Ill explore each type individually, and then in the fourth post Ill share some crucial tips for success that are common to three types. The Career Exploration Informational Interview This type of interview focuses on the interviewees occupation. If youre not sure what kind of job you want to do, its time for some research. Read up on various occupations online, then talk to people who are working in an occupation youre considering. This isnt just for students any more. With the average person changing careers five to seven times, this kind of informational can help a person of any age get a better sense of whether that new career idea is really a good fit. The discussion is likely to focus on questions like these: Why did you decide to enter this field? What is your typical day like? On which activities do you spend the largest amount of time? Is your job typical of this occupation, or unusual? What do you like best about what you do? What do you like least? What advice do you have for me if I decide to enter this career? What other resources should I look into? That last question is especially important! If your contact recommends a website, publication, training program, organization orbetter yetsomeone else to talk to, you now have next steps to pursue in your career exploration. Promise to follow up: Thank you so much! Ill follow up on your suggestions and let you know how it went. That way you can continue the relationship with an occasional emailed update, and because you said you would follow up, your contact wont be surprised. Theyll see you as keeping your promise. Connecting on LinkedIn can help keep the two of you on each others radar screens and provide additional opportunities to interact. (Remember to check Notifications on the menu bar, preferably daily.) In the best case scenario, an ongoing mentor-mentee relationship may develop. This type of informational interview may be the easiest to get, especially if youre a student but even if you arent. Having an introduction from a mutual acquaintance always helps and LinkedIn can be very helpful here or having something in common, such as being fellow alumni. If theres no special connection, just ask anyway. Youd be surprised how many people will say yes. Its flattering to be seen as an expert, and the interview is a chance to give back and make a difference for someone. Crucial tip: It may be easier to get an informational interview if you dont call it one! The phrase sounds formal, and just too much like working. Instead, call it a career research conversationor just, a chance to hear your thoughts. In the next post, How to Use Info Interviews to Get Hired Faster, well explore a very different animal, the Company Insider Conversation: how to land such meetings, and how to navigate them in a way thats comfortable for both parties, builds relationships, and paves the way for opportunities.