Editorial
interviewing
Informational
Interviewing
dan Beaudry on the subtle arts of advanced interview techniques
I
n his book Rogue Warrior, former US Navy SEAL and all around experts. Reaching out also shows that you are bold and driven, which are
tough-guy Richard Marcinko reveals the philosophy he adopted for two valued characteristics in an employee.
enduring punishing military drills: “You don’t have to like it, you just Follow these steps:
have to do it.” Not many of us actually take pleasure in writing and • Identify yourself as a student
submitting resumes, preparing for difficult interview questions, being • Say how you found the person’s name
judged by strangers and risking rejection. However, we endure the • Explain that you are interested in the person’s background, experience, etc.
punishing drill of the job search because we know we have to do it to get • Say you’re calling to gather expert advice
a job. But what if we didn’t have to do it? What if there was another way
and what if we actually liked it? Ask for 15-20 minutes of the person’s time for a face to face meeting, perhaps
There is another way to find job opportunities and it’s called over coffee (it’s very difficult to turn down a request for so little time and
“informational interviewing.” True to its title, an informational interview your contact will likely stretch the meeting once you’re in front of him or
is a meeting you initiate for the purpose of gathering information. Nothing her anyway).
particularly revolutionary there so far, but here’s the beauty of
informational interviewing in the context of a job search: There exists 3. Prepare what your objectives are for the meeting and the questions you’ll
both an overt and implied objective with informational interviews; you use to achieve them. Good questions not only elicit the information you
want information (overt), but you also want to establish a connection with need, they also convey understanding. Use your questions to position
someone who might be able to help you get hired (implied). While the yourself as an insider and to demonstrate any expertise you have that might
information gathering itself is important, forming a strong connection be of interest to your contact. Be prepared to speak about your own interests
with someone influential is paramount. Informational interviewing will and strengths if the contact steers the conversation in that direction.
help you uncover what it takes to succeed in your chosen career, while
building a support network of professionals in your field. 4. While in the meeting, take notes. Record what you learn for later
Here’s how it works: reference as it may be difficult to get in front of this person again. Taking
notes also shows that you value what your contact is saying, and will help
1. Identify people who possess knowledge or experience which will help you craft meaningful follow-up correspondence.
you in your career search and who could be in a position to hire you. Their
knowledge or experience could come from having worked in a particular 5. Find areas of commonality, paying attention to what your contacts tell
profession or at a company you’re considering. Find people whose you about their interests, or challenges they’re facing, either professional
backgrounds genuinely interest you and the informational interview will or personal. For example, if your contact is an alumnus of your school
be a pleasure for both you and your contact. and he tells you that he’s having a hard time keeping connected, you have
an opportunity to build a relationship by providing value. After your
Some sources of the right people: meeting, update him when something happens on campus that you think
• Your friends and family might interest him.
• Your school’s alumni database
• Your undergraduate school’s alumni database (if it has one) 6. End the meeting by asking who else your contact might recommend you
• Business networking sites such as LinkedIn, Going, etc. speak with. Don’t forget to do this! You will build your network most effectively
• Your career services office through referrals, which will make your subsequent outreach calls warmer
• Contacts from prior employment or internships and launch future informational interviews with instant common ground.
• Faculty contacts
7. Follow up!
2. Request a meeting at the convenience of your contact. Don’t be If you follow these steps, you’ll gather critical information on how to succeed
intimidated about reaching out to someone you don’t know; it happens in your chosen career field. And more critically, you’ll have a chance to
all the time in business and people are quite pleased to be treated as showcase your talent to someone who can appreciate it and buy it.
28 TopMBA CAreer Guide
www.topmba.com
TopMBA CAreer Guide
www.topmba.com 29
MBA_SPR09_pp_001-051.indd 28 17/2/09 15:10:50
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