How to Ace the Informational Interview

The informational interview is different from a typical job interview because technically you are not interviewing for a job. You are there to make a great impression and to get as much information as possible from the person you are talking to while at the same time, promoting yourself. Your goal is to get them to voluntarily refer you to someone else that can more directly help you get a job or if you're lucky, has a job opening.

There are two types of informational interviews-those you've set up through people you know and those you've set up with people you don't know. I highly recommend asking your parents to contact their friends and asking your friends to contact their parents for you. Visit as many as these contacts as you can in their work environment, even if it's in a field you're not interested in. By experiencing several different work environments, you can really get a good feel for what's out there. Plus, you never know who they know. Importantly, you can ask as many questions as you want and there's less pressure on you because you're not interviewing for a job. However, dress as you would for a job interview because you want to make a great impression.

The other type of informational interview involves cold calling-calling up a company without any introduction. Find two or three companies you'd like to work for. You can start in the Human Resources Department or call the department you want to work in directly. Tell them what college you're going to or are graduating from and that you realize that there may not be a job available at the moment but you would love to work for their company (do your research on the company so you can tell them why) and do they have a few minutes to meet you and talk with you. If they say no, keep trying. Try someone else in that department or call another department until you get a yes.

Once you get an informational interview, dress up very conservatively and arrive early. Smile at the person you're speaking with and give them a firm handshake. Don't be nervous because you are not there to get a job but to gather information and impress the person you're speaking with. Thank them for their time and ask them plenty of questions like-what is the environment like here?, what are the hours?, what are the qualities of the people who get promotions?, what is the reputation of employees my age who work here?, what is the office politics like?, tell me about your career path, what do you like and dislike about working here? Tell them about your background and strengths. See if they know anyone in your potential field if they haven't already volunteered that information.

When you leave, make sure you take their business card. Keep a computer record of your interviews, especially the questions you asked and the answers you received. Finally, always send a thank-you note. The more informational interviews you have, the better chance you have of finding a job so don't give up and good luck.