Setting up an Informational Interview
This type of interview occurs when you take the initiative to reach out to an employer you’re interested in and request a meeting. You might start the conversation like this:
“Hello Ms. Smith. My name is Ima Looking, and I recently graduated with my diploma. I understand that you sometimes hire individuals with my background, and I would like to learn more about your company. Would you be available to meet with me for 20 minutes sometime next week?”
Ms. Smith may respond positively and schedule an appointment. If she isn’t interested, she might say that they aren’t hiring at the moment but encourages you to follow up in a month. If that’s the case, be sure to note her suggestion in your planner for future reference.
If you can’t meet with Ms. Smith, consider asking if she knows of other companies in the industry that might be looking for someone with your qualifications. If she can, she may offer a referral. You can also inquire about a good time to reach out again, perhaps in three or four weeks.
Be sure to thank Ms. Smith for her time. It’s important to maintain a polite and professional demeanour, as you may wish to contact her again or follow up on any referrals she provides.
Guidelines
When setting up your informational interview, it’s important to follow a few guidelines. Start by requesting a 20-minute initial meeting. Asking for a shorter time frame makes it easier for people to accommodate you; they often feel they can manage a 20-minute conversation but may hesitate to commit to a longer meeting. Be sure to stick to the 20 minutes and not exceed that time!
Prepare thoroughly for the interview, as outlined earlier. Familiarize yourself with the company and its values, gathering as much publicly available information as possible. This preparation allows you to ask focused questions that showcase your diligence. If there are specific projects or positions that interest you, tailor your questions accordingly. Remember, you’re there to collect information, not to interview for a specific job.
Often, when companies agree to meet someone for an informational interview, a strong candidate may be considered for a position the next time an opening arises. This illustrates how the hidden job market operates. For instance, if Ms. Smith has a vacancy, she can refer to her notes on candidates who previously expressed interest, rather than starting from scratch with a large pool of applicants.
Keep a list of questions handy on a clipboard or notepad to stay organized and on track. After providing a brief two-minute overview of what you know about the company and a summary of your background, proceed with the questions you’ve prepared. Since you initiated this meeting, you’ll be guiding the conversation
Here are some potential questions that you might want to include in your 20‑minute meeting:
- What kinds of projects are going on right now (such as looking at expansion, new market areas, etc.)?
- Can you tell me what the people who work here say about this company? (This might be anecdotal or they could show you an employee engagement survey, for example.)
- What would you say are the biggest challenges for this industry right now?
- How do you go about finding the people that you wish to hire?
- What kind of mood are people in when they leave work at the end of a shift?
- Are there special courses or training that help people to be considered for positions here?
- Is it possible for someone with my background to be considered for positions here? If not, what would you suggest is a good developmental step for me?
Bring a copy of your resume to the meeting, but only offer it if requested.
Additionally, you might consider having your portfolio with you, again providing it only if asked.
Keep in mind that an informational gathering meeting can evolve into a more formal interview if the employer expresses interest in hiring you. If this happens and your 20-minute timeframe isn’t sufficient, you can say something like, “I promised to only take up 20 minutes today and I respect your time. Would you like me to schedule another appointment?”
After the meeting, be sure to send Ms. Smith a thank-you note to express your appreciation for her time and insights. This gesture not only shows your gratitude but also serves as a reminder of your visit, potentially encouraging her to think favourably about you in relation to your job search. Don’t forget to include your phone number in the note.
Sample wording for a thank you note might look like this:
Dear Ms. Walker,
Thank you for meeting with me yesterday. I really appreciate your time and the information that you shared with me. If you feel that my skills might be of help to you in the future, I would be happy to hear from you.
Yours truly,
Edna Green
082 345 6789
