Career Coach | Professional Resume Writer | LinkedIn Learning Course Producer | I help people navigate job search, advance
Informational interviews should be such a straightforward concept, no?
I mean, the name literally spells out what they are: interviews that allow you to gather information. Yet, for the vast majority of people I’ve coached over the years, they’re confusing, intimidating, or both. And this is quite unfortunate because, done well, informational interviews can be wildly beneficial to your job search.
So let’s talk how you can benefit, how to ask someone for an informational interview, and what to do once they’ve said yes.
How Informational Interviews Can Help You
➞ They may lead to “Inside Scoop”
Sure, sure. You can learn a lot from a job description. But job descriptions aren’t always up-to-the-minute accurate, and they certainly don’t give you the full dish on what the hiring manager is really looking for. A conversation with someone in-the-know about the team you’re looking to join, or the hiring manager themselves, could go a long way in helping you put your best foot forward.
➞ They may lead to a valuable connection
Of course, the main purpose of an informational interview is to gather information, but these conversations may also result in your establishing connections with people who could help you land an interview. You shouldn’t enter the discussion with an expectation of this, but it’s certainly possible.
➞ They may make you rethink your plan
Now, hopefully this isn’t the case, but it’s possible. If you’re envisioning a magical life at a company you’ve admired forever or thinking about changing careers, I would for sure have at least a couple of conversations with people at these organizations. Make sure your rosy vision for this next career move is grounded in reality.
