informational interviewing part ii

Lisa Mauri Thomas, M.S.

All rights reserved. Copyright 2010. Change Your Job, Change Your Life TM

An interview designed to collect valuable and immediately useable information about a job, career field, industry or company. An informational interview is NOT a job interview.

Rather, it's an interview YOU CONDUCT with an individual working in a career of which

you would like to learn more about.

Source: About.com; http://jobsearch.about.com/od/infointerviews/g/infointerview.htm , retrieved Aug 2, 2010 All rights reserved. Copyright 2010. Change Your Job, Change Your Life

TM

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/infointerviews/g/infointerview.htm

To go beyond generally available, printed information and gain specific, first-hand perspective about:• Nature of the work in a particular environment• Career pathway of an influential professional• Insight, advice, and career navigation tips• Referrals: identify others to speak to further

This is a WEEKLY NETWORKING activity!

Source: About.com; http://jobsearch.about.com/od/infointerviews/g/infointerview.htm , retrieved Aug 2, 2010 All rights reserved. Copyright 2010. Change Your Job, Change Your Life

TM

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/infointerviews/g/infointerview.htm

Find People to Talk To:

Professional Networking Groups Linked In: People Search, Groups Professional Organizations HR Professionals & Hiring Managers Recruiters Authors of Specific Career Path Books


Create a brief outreach message:Dear Contact,

I was referred to you by (first & last name) from XYZ company. She recommended you as an excellent source of information within the healthcare industry. (specify further as needed)

(You might also indicate you found their Linked In profile and was intrigued to learn more about them and their career journey or area of expertise).

My goal is to secure a mid-level Quality Assurance position within a hospital setting. I would appreciate hearing your advice on career opportunities in this area, on determining current and critical industry keywords and qualifications, and on how best to navigate the current healthcare hiring landscape.

Thanks so much, in advance, for any insight and advice you would be willing to share. I look forward to contacting you early next week to set up a brief telephone informational interview.

Thank you for your consideration.


Alternative outreach message:Dear Contact,

As a ____________ professional in the Minneapolis area, I am always looking to establish new connections to expand and strengthen my network of professional peers and with those in upper management.

My goal is to advance within __________ in a _________ setting. I would appreciate hearing your advice on how the industry is trending, determining current and critical industry keywords and qualifications, and how best to navigate the current __________ landscape.

Thank you so much, in advance, for any insight and advice you would be willing to share. I look forward to contacting you early next week to set up a brief informational interview. Please let me know if you prefer to chat in person, by phone, or via e-mail – whichever is most convenient for you.

Have a wonderful day.


Once you have initiated contact AND received a favorable response,

move into the Q&A phase. Determine if they prefer to meet in

person, chat by phone, or handle by email, etc.

Have your best 6-12 prepared questions ready - pull these questions from the 20 or so from your pre-determined “question bank”


Are your questions OPEN or CLOSED?

Closed questions require a simple yes or no answer and once answered the dialogue can end abruptly, i.e. “are there”, “do you”, etc.

Open questions keeps the dialogue moving forward and focuses on “who, what, why, where, when and how” items.


Second quality check:

Don’t:

Ask for a job or say you need one soon Complain about lack of success so far Indicate you’ve encountered age or

gender discrimination Vent negatively about being laid off Discuss your salary requirements Fail to follow-up/send a thank you note


Remain positive, curious, and open to new ideas and constructive

criticism.

GOAL:Start and maintain an effective,

professional dialogue that leads to new contacts, mentors, and other people of

influence within the hiring process. All rights reserved. Copyright 2010. Change Your Job, Change Your Life

TM

Gain perspective and insight Strengthen your decision Determine a specific niche-area Choose a different path altogether Make professional contacts among

management-level personnel Gain confidence Improve your presentation skills Improve your professional visibility


1. Present your career focus of interest, including job titles, level or rank, and preferred environments in 1-2 sentences or within 20-30 seconds

2. Practice using your 15-20 item “question bank” that hones in on “need-to-know” information with a partner & timekeeper


Get into groups of 3 If you missed Part I, your role is

Timekeeper – so only 1 new person per group, if at all possible.

One person will interview the other with Timekeeper observing. Then switch interviewers.

Trade phone numbers and e-mail addresses to continue practicing together later this week.


Timekeeper/Observer will evaluate: How long interviewer (the person asking

questions) was able to keep up the energy, enthusiasm, and momentum of the interview – strive for a solid 8-10 minutes

If and when the interview loses steam, the Timekeeper/Observer can say “quit” and report number of minutes accomplished.

De-brief among all 3 in group to determine what went well and what could be improved.


What to watch for with each interviewer:• Ease and speed of opening lines, setting the context• Pace of the questions, energy level, momentum• Comfort level of the interviewer – relaxed, natural?• At what point did the mood, tone, or energy change?• Which part was easiest: Beginning? Middle? End?• Which part was hardest: Beginning? Middle? End?• Did they control the session or were they controlled?• Did they ask any closed or inappropriate questions?• Did they seem prepared, ready, and poised?• Did they establish “next steps” and/or get a referral?


◊ Network with each other◊ Continue to practice

◊ Locate 25 prospective allies◊ Set up 10+ real info interviews◊ Track your contacts and results

◊ Follow up as advised◊ Share your results


informational interviewing part ii

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