Advantages of Informational Interviews
- You are less likely to encounter rejections since you are not asking for a job - only information, advice, referrals, and to be remembered.
- You go after higher level positions.
- You encounter little competition.
- You go directly to the people who have influence in the hiring process.
- You are likely to be invited to job interviews based upon the referrals you receive.
While you will encounter some "nos" in your search for "yeses", informational interviews minimize the number of "nos" you will collect Using this approach, you seldom will be turned down for an interview. In fact, most people will be happy to share their experiences with you and give you information, advice, and referrals. Most important, informational interviews help you overcome the likelihood of rejection.
The first rule in conducting informational interviews is to never ask for a job. When you ask for a job or ask to be interviewed for a job (which you do when you send off your resume), you set yourself up to receive a rejection. If no job is available, you put the employer in an uncomfortable position of telling you "no". If you apply for an advertised opening, you will probably get lost in the herd of applicants. On the other hand, if you request an interview for information and advice - not a job - you are likely to get a "yes",
Informational interviews will help you build networks for locating the better jobs and careers. For example, look at the classifieds in your local newspaper. Most of the positions listed are either lower level positions or they require a high level of technical skills - in other words, positions that are difficult to fill. Since the jobs you learn about through your networks are often neither advertised nor competitive, your odds of getting a good job improve considerably. As you continue making new contacts through additional referrals, you will build a large network of job contacts. Individuals in your network will be your eyes and ears for locating job opportunities that are appropriate to your goals and skills.
ENTER THE BACK DOOR
Regardless of what you have heard about affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the need to advertise positions, the unadvertised or hidden job market still exists. It is not our intent to sit in judgment of what should or should not be. Rather, our job is to help you understand the realities of today's job market and prepare you to use them to your maximum advantage. Suffice it to say that you can gain access to most jobs through both a front door and a back door. Long lines normally form at the front door. If you conduct informational interviews and network, you should be able to enter through the back door. Job seekers find this entrance infinitely more responsive and rewarding than standing in line. You, too, may wish to join the successful job seekers who know how to get through the door to see the person who has the power to hire.
Your information/networking interviews help you by-pass personnel offices and other gatekeepers who lack the power to hire. Personnel offices have many functions, but they seldom hire. They advertise positions, take applications, administer tests, and many conduct initial screening interviews. The hiring function usually rests with the department head/manager for mid-level positions; upper management hires for senior upper-level positions.
APPROACH THE RIGHT PEOPLE
Whom should you contact within an organization for an informational interview? Ideally you should contact people who are busy, who have the power to hire, and who are knowledgeable about the organization. The least likely candidate will be someone in the personnel department. Most often the heads of operating units are the most busy, powerful, and knowledgeable individuals in the organization. However, getting access to such individuals may be difficult. Some people at the top may appear to be informed and powerful, but they may lack information on the day-to-day personnel changes or their influence is limited in the hiring process. It is difficult to give one best answer to this question.
We recommend contacting a variety of people. Aim for the busy, powerful, and informed, but be prepared to settle for less. Secretaries, receptionists, and the person you want to meet may refer you to others. From a practical standpoint, you may have to take whomever you can schedule an appointment with. Sometimes people who are not busy can be helpful. Talk to a secretary or receptionist sometime about working in the organization. You may be surprised with what you learn!
Nonetheless, you will conduct informational interviews with different types of people. Some will be friends, relatives, or acquaintances. Others will be referrals or new contacts. You will gain the easiest access to people you already know. This can usually be done informally by telephone. You might meet at their home or office or at a restaurant.
