Explore Careers
What is an Informational Interview?
What if you are not sure about your career goals…or you feel that you lack
relevant experience and knowledge to get the career position you want. One
of the best ways to find out what an industry, company or position is really
like is to talk with people in careers you are considering. No one else can
give you a better sense of the real life experiences, the challenges and opportunities,
the specific and perhaps hidden demands as well as the drawbacks and limitations
of the career field.
What is the History Behind the
Information Interview ?
The concept of 'informational interviewing' was conceived by Richard Nelson
Bolles, author of the best-selling career handbook, What
Color Is Your Parachute? Bolles describes the process as "trying on jobs
to see if they fit you." He notes that most people choose a career path without
taking the time to speak with professionals in their field of interest. As
a result, they find themselves in careers that are not a true match for their
skills, values, interests, and abilities.
What Exactly is the Information
Interview?
The informational interview is a highly
focused information gathering session with a networking contact designed
to help you choose or refine your career path by giving you the “insider" point
of view.
What are the Benefits of Conducting
the Information Interview?
The Information Interview Allows You to:
-
Gather valuable information
from industry professionals on career planning and job search strategies.
-
Discover the “realties”
of a particular career field and what is it really like
to work in a given industry.
-
Evaluate whether
the career is compatible with your skills, interests, lifestyle and goals.
-
Receive specific
suggestions on how and where to acquire the experience and knowledge required.
-
Develop confidence
in interviewing with professionals by discussing your interests and goals.
-
Gain access to the
hidden job market. Over 80% of quality jobs are secured through networking.
-
Expand your network
of contacts in your field of interest for future opportunities
-
Gain referrals to
other professionals in the same field for additional networking.
What are some of the subject areas that can be
discussed about the industry/organization during the information interview?
-
Work Environment
-
Ideal Skill Set/Qualifications
-
Industry Trends
-
Career Path of Interviewee
-
Lifestyle
-
Typical Compensation
-
Challenges/Rewards
-
Career
Ladder of Field
Are Information Interviews Only
for Students Ready to Graduate?
Not at all---information interviews are appropriate for first year students
through alumni. If you are in the process of choosing an academic major, making
career choices, beginning a job search, or transitioning to a different career,
the information interview can be an excellent tool to explore your options
and increase your knowledge.
How Does the Information Interview
Work?
The information interview works best if it is done in person, face-to-face
in the setting that you are interested in working (i.e. hospital, investment
bank, consulting or non-profit organization etc.) However, it can also be
done by telephone, e-mail chat group, or on the internet.
How Do I Find the Contacts for
the Information Interview?
Usually you will talk with a person you don’t know personally but who has
been referred to you. Ask friends, family members, colleagues, faculty members,
and former employers for a referral to a candidate for an information interview.
This may sound like a scary prospect but most people actually enjoy talking
about their jobs and giving career advice. Also,
check out the UCLA Student Alumni Association, which has a database of over 4,500 alumni
who are waiting to help UCLA students!
Can I Ask for a Job During an
Information interview?
No. The information interview is not a scheme or trick to get you into the
door to talk to a potential employer about a job (although it certainly opens
doors to specific job opportunities down the road). IT IS ABSOLUTELY TABOO
TO ASK FOR A JOB DURING AN INFORMATION INTERVIEW.
How Can I Best
Prepare for the Informational Interview?
Preparation is the key to success. In advance of the meeting, you should prepare
as you would for a traditional interview:
-
Read about the career
area and organization in which the person you are interviewing is affiliated.
-
Review materials
in the Career Resources Library for background information on the industry/career
field.
-
Check the company/organization’s
internet site.
-
Know your own interests,
skills, values and how they relate to the career field represented by the
person you are interviewing.
-
Prepare an Opening
Statement that gives a brief profile of who you are and your interest in
the field.
-
Develop a number
of well thought out, open-ended questions to stimulate a meaningful discussion.
-
If you meet face-to-face,
dress appropriately in interview attire. You want to give a good first
impression and look like someone who could be an asset to the profession.
How Do I Set Up the Information
Interview?
An information interview can be obtained through personal referral, written
request, or cold-call telephone contact. Many career counselors recommend
a written request followed by a phone call, feeling you have a better chance
for a favorable response. The advantage is that the letter serves as a preliminary
introduction and helps explain your purpose. See our link on setting
up an informational interview for additional help.
How Do I Follow Up with My Contacts?
1) Be
sure to send a formal thank you letter to the person you interviewed. A nice
touch is to share with them the results of any project or suggestion discussed
during the interview, and inform them what steps you have taken to apply the
advice you received.
2) Report
back to anyone who gave you a lead. This is not only common courtesy, it helps
keep others interested and involved in your career plans and job search.
3) Continue
to maintain contact with the person you interviewed. Keep in touch by sending
an occasional article on a business related topic that you think would be of
interest or a quick note updating them on your current activities.
4) Later
on, if you decide to pursue the career field, you may wish to send out a “feeler”
letter along with your progress report by stating, “If you hear of any job
possibilities, I am enclosing my resume and would appreciate hearing from you.”