How to effectively do information interviewsNetwork to get workWhen it comes to narrowing your career interests, engaging in professional networking and exploring potential job leads, it’s hard to beat information interviews. Sharon Aschaiek, Special to QMI Agency |
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“This is a very useful tool to have in your career-building tool kit, in that it allows you to research a specific job or line of work, get help breaking into your desired field, and practice marketing yourself,” says Nancy Schaefer, president of Youth Employment Services, or YES. The non-profit agency’s four Toronto centres offer employment counselling, training and job placement services, including guidance on how to effectively do information interviews (see www.yes.on.ca).
The primary objective of this technique, Schaefer says, is to learn more about either a field, or specific position within a field, to help you determine your interest in and suitability for it. They can be useful to students trying to ascertain their employment interests, or to those trying to find a new job or switch careers.
While it’s easiest to arrange interviews with contacts referred to you by family members or friends, it’s fine to call somebody cold: most people are willing to help others starting out in their careers, as long as the interview is performed in a polite and professional manner.
Before meeting your contact, do as much research as you can about your prospective field, the position in which you have an interest, the contact, and the company at which the contact works.
Then, develop a list of strategic questions to help you learn more about things like how to break into the field, the nature of the work, the kind of qualifications required, and more (see list below for examples of questions to ask).
When querying the contact, avoid asking questions that might make them uncomfortable; for example, Does your company treat its employees well? Also, stay focused on information gathering and steer clear of overt job searching.
“You have to be careful that you’re not using this opportunity as a way to get in the door of their company. People are smart, and if they’re giving up their time in their busy work day, they don’t want to feel like they’re being used to get a job,” Schaefer says.
However, it’s important to recognize the great networking opportunity inherent in information interviewing, she says.
“Networking is absolutely critical to advancing your career, and this allows you to practise marketing yourself and make a potentially valuable contact,” Schaefer says.
Bring your resumé with you, and offer it only if the contact offers to share your information with their supervisor or HR manager.
After the interview, send a thank-you note — e-mail is fine, but a handwritten note can make a greater impact — to reflect your gratitude, and to further build your professional connection with the contact.
Ideally, an information interview should be conducted in person, so that you have a better chance to make a good first impression, and should last for no more than 30 minutes. Make sure to arrive on time, dress professionally and focus.
If the contact is only available to speak by phone, then stick to a maximum of 10 minutes.
Says Schaefer: “Networking is a big part of job hunting, and information interviews provide a great opportunity to practise this skill, enhance your network, and make gains in your search for employment.”
Questions to ask
Consider asking the following questions when doing an information interview:
How do people typically break into this field/profession?
What kind of training is needed?
What personal qualities and abilities are required to succeed?
What is a typical day like for you?
What do you like most, and least, about what you do?
What are the hiring prospects currently like in this line of work?
Which organizations in this field are growing and actively hiring?
Which professional associations, networking groups, conferences and websites are most relevant to this field/profession?
Is there anyone else in this field who’d be willing to share information with me, and if so, may I use your name?
sharon@cocoamedia.ca
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