Presented by L. Susan Fischer, MCJ, CFCAnd Workforce Specialist

Fact finding meetings to research a potential job/career (not a job interview)

Helps you gain insight about what skills and qualifications are needed

Gives you an idea about job opportunities and market trends

Allows you to speak one on one with someone who is working in your career choice

Not to get a job, but find out about, and choose between, potential jobs/careers

Gain information on how to prepare for the job/career

Expand your professional network To narrow your focus on career goals To build your confidence in interviews To become aware of employers needs and

realities of employment Identify your strengths and weaknesses To get in front of a body!!

One out of every 200 resumes results in a job offer

One out of every 12 informational interviews result in a job offer

Informational interviewing is the most effective form of networking

The best way to learn about a career is to talk to someone already working in that career field

Select the career/occupation

Decide whom to interview

Identify one or more career/occupations you’d like to investigate

Evaluate your skills, interests and abilities Research as much as possible before the

interview Take an assessment if needed

◦ http://wiscareers.wisc.edu/Default.asp◦ Quintcareers.com also has them

Ask friends, family, teachers, and acquaintances

Ask co-workers, former co-workers, supervisors, neighbors

Research phone books, internet sites, trade publications, alumni sites, career services

Make a list of contacts Check LinkedIn

Then, research all of them!

The whole process is started with contact; either by phone or letter

By phone- ◦ Tell your contact that you would like to speak with

them briefly about their career◦ Be clear that you are looking for information not a

job

Hello, my name is__________. I am in the process of conducting a career search in you area of expertise. I was wondering if we could schedule an informational interview, which would only take about 20-30 minutes of your time. Being able to talk to someone in the _______would be invaluable to me in my search. It is your advice and opinion I am looking for. Not a job.

For additional samples go to: http://www.quintcareers.com/information_phone.html

Getting past the gate-keeper◦ Sometimes you can’t, so consider asking them if

they have time to answer your questions◦ Treat the gate-keeper as the goldmine they are! Be

nice to them. Be respectful. Be friendly. ◦ Ask questions about the person you are trying to see.

Are they busy? Are they protecting that person? Will they get a message out to them for you? Receptionists and other support staff know much more about their

company than we often realize. They know how it works, the names of key people, job requirements, etc. It is important that they understand what you want. If you ask them something that they feel could be more fully answered by someone else, they will usually give you a referral.

By letter-◦ Send a letter to your contact requesting an

interview.◦ The letter should include:

An introduction An explanation as to why you are writing A short description of why you are interested in the

person’s field and any experience you have Tell them why you would like to meet them; for career

information/advice The final paragraph should let them know how and

when you will contact them to set an appointment Be sure to follow up as you say you will!!

Be specific as to when you will call and be SURE to follow through

Give short background and explanation

August 22, 2009 John Doe Smith, Doe and Walters 123 Main Street Pewaukee, WI 53072 Dear Mr. Doe: I am currently looking to change my career path. I am investigating careers to learn which one may be the best for me. I am very interested in insurance sales and would appreciate the opportunity to talk to you about your work. I recently read an article about going into business for yourself as an independent insurance agent. After reading the article and doing some research I think it might be an ideal path for me. A mutual friend of ours, Jane Smith suggested I talk to you. I am confident that your insight could be of great help to me. I will call you Thursday the 10th after lunch to request an appointment. Ideally we can meet for about 20 minutes at a mutually convenient time for an informational interview. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Thomas White

Brief introduction

Try to schedule the meeting at that person’s place of business

Research the organization/company◦ Web sites◦ Literature◦ Library reference material◦ Annual reports◦ Trade magazines

Create a list of questions Confirm the appt the day before Be ready on the day of

There are a few topics you want to be sure to cover◦Your interviewee’s career field◦About the job◦How to go about preparing for the career◦Ask about your interviewee’s company◦Seek advice

For a list of possible questions visit: http://www.quintcareers.com/informational_interview_questions.html

A well written resume shows professionalism

It gives the interviewer insight to your background

You may ask the person to critique it

Share some information about yourself, but do not talk too much about yourself

Arrive 10-15 minutes early. DO NOT BE LATE!

Dress professionally; as you would for a job interview

You initiate conversation and flow ◦ Start by thanking the host◦ Recap why you are there

Ask questions Be sure to keep within agreed upon time

restraints (usually 20-30 minutes). Take notes; be sure to be a good listener,

be enthusiastic and interested Ask for referrals DO NOT ASK FOR A JOB

Remember, you are on a fact-finding mission.

Don’t lose the person’s trust – keep your focus

If you discover there is a job there for you, wait until the informational interview is over before you apply. Contact that employer the next day.

If you are offered a job during the interview, consider taking it!

Thank the interviewee and ask for their business card.

Always follow up with a thank you note◦ Send within one to three days after interview◦ Let them know that their time and information

was helpful◦ Quote something the person said word for word

back to them, if you can◦ Ask them to keep you in mind should they have

more helpful information for you◦ Be sure to include your contact info under you

signature◦ Stay in touch!

You should conduct multiple interviews Each person you interview is now in your

network Consider asking this person to join you on

LinkedIn Be sure to record, analyze and evaluate

your interview◦ Keep a list of all the people you have interviewed◦ Review your notes and record thoughts and

conclusions

What did I learn from the interview? (be sure to include negatives and positives)

Were any new concerns or advice uncovered? What advice did I receive? Did you maybe uncover a different

occupation? How do my interest, goals, and skills fit into

the job? How was the work environment? What don’t I know? Do I think I would be happy in this type of job

or organization?

Informational Interviewing is one of your best job search tools

Remember to conduct multiple interviews to broaden your information

Don’t expect information from one to give you a fair view

Be sure to network everywhere, not just at formal interviews-you can talk casually to people anywhere

www.quintcareers.com Occupational Outlook Quarterly - Summer

2002-Informational Interviewing by Olivia Crosby

Wikipedia-Informational Interviews About.com Professional Career Solutions

Quintessential Careers: Online Networking Resources On-line Informational Interviews: This site is focused on professionals

in the computer industry, where the professionals are interviewed by email and job-seekers read the results of the interview online.

Informational Interviewing: A concise look at the steps in the informational interviewing process. Offers 20 sample questions to ask at the interview. From the Wisconsin Job Service and Job Center.

How to Explore Careers Through Informational Interviewing: A general overview of the informational interviewing procress, from JobTrak.

Information Interviews Guide: A concise review of informational interviewing from Florida State University's Career Center.

Interviewing Techniques for Federal Government Jobs: This site contains information on employment interviews as well as on information interviews -- with the key focus on the process with government jobs.

Informational Interviewing: Get the Inside Scoop on Careers: A pdf of a 2002 article from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Quarterly that provides a nice overview of informational interviewing.

THANK YOU AND GOOD THANK YOU AND GOOD LUCKLUCKL. Susan Fischerprofsusanmcj@yahoo.comwww.linkedin/in/lsusanfischer