Interview. Admit it. Just seeing the word makes your heart beat faster and your palms drip ice-cold sweat. Wouldn't it be great if there was some way to turn the tables and you were the one conducting the interview? Well, there is! Informational interviewing allows you to be the one setting up the appointment, asking the questions, and making the decisions based on the answers.

Informational interviewing permits you to speak directly with people in careers that interest you helping you to learn about various professional experiences. Because there is no pressure of a full-time job at stake, both you and the professional you are interviewing can feel at ease and can be open and honest while sharing information. It is one of the best ways to find out first-hand what a job is really all about. Furthermore, it can help you get your foot in the door to the position of your dreams.

According to Allan Hoffman, the Monster.com technology jobs expert and author of Fifty Fun Ways to Internet, informational interviews can help current students and recent grads in a number of ways. "They provide the 'insider' view of an industry, which is often lacking in academic environments," Hoffman states. "Furthermore, informational interviews can also help students build contacts the key to many job searches."

Get Started

The first step is to do some research, beginning with yourself. The better you know and understand yourself your strengths, weaknesses, interests, skills, and values the more useful information you can obtain from the informational interview.

After you assess yourself, you should identify your goals. What information do you want to get out of the informational interview? Do you want to learn more about a particular career path? Would you like to find out about the skills you would develop in a given industry? Once you determine what you want to learn, you are ready to decide who will help you figure it out.

When you are ready to begin contacting people, start by making a list of the types of industries, position titles or companies that appeal to you. Then brainstorm everyone you know who might be a resource. Don't be afraid to call your sister's best friend's boyfriend's cousin no connection is too obscure.

Other possible contacts include family members, friends (especially those who are employed), neighbors, supervisors (past and present), professors, advisors, coaches and alumni. Take advantage of your college career services office; most have alumni contact information specifically for this purpose. Remember, even if someone isn't in the exact field that interests you, he or she can still be a valuable link to someone else who is.

Once you have gathered several names, organize your list by prioritizing the information. Start with the person on the list that you have the closest connection to, (i.e., a family friend). This will be an easy way to get the hang of informational interviewing, and it will help you if you keep track of everyone that you meet with.

Make Contact

Email is an ideal way to get in touch with contacts because it allows you to make an initial connection without putting someone on the spot if he or she is not free to talk at that moment. However, a phone call is also appropriate, as long as you respect time boundaries. Make it clear that you are calling to set up an appointment and that you are not going to start bombarding him or her with questions immediately.

Generally, it is not advisable to attach a resume in an initial email. Including your resume might give the impression that your main reason for getting in touch is to find a job, rather than network and gain information. Instead, bring your resume to the initial meeting or, if the interview is by phone, send it afterward. If you provide your resume at the appropriate time, your contact may review it and offer feedback, or even pass it along to colleagues for future job openings.

When you initially speak with a contact, introduce yourself, let them know how you got his or her name, and request 15 minutes, either in person or on the phone, for an informational interview. Assure your contact that you will take responsibility for setting this up, either via phone or email. Be sure to thank the contact for his or her time in advance. Even if the contact is a friend or someone close to your age, maintain professionalism at all times.

There's no need to feel shy or worry that you'll be viewed as a pest. Most people like to talk about themselves it is a fact of human nature. Professionals who like their jobs are often quite glad to share information with others, particularly students or recent graduates who are enthusiastic about breaking into the field. And remember, the worst that can happen is that someone will decline your offer.

When you propose meeting a contact for an informational interview, it is extremely important to make it abundantly clear that you are not asking for a job. The job search issue might come up naturally during your meeting, however, it is important to keep in mind that your only goal in an informational interview is to learn about the field and to build your network.

Ins and Outs of the Interview

Whether your meeting is in person or via telephone, it is important to treat it as a real interview in terms of preparation and planning. If it will be face-to-face, make sure you have directions to get to the office or designated meeting spot, and know how long it will take you to arrive. If you are going to the workplace, dress as if this was a formal interview, and wear a suit or other business attire. If you have arranged something more casual, such as meeting over coffee, you can dress down a bit. However, you should remain professional; don't wear jeans or sneakers.

Greet your contact enthusiastically with a firm handshake. Immediately state that you appreciate the opportunity to speak with him or her; be aware of your body language and make sure to keep good eye contact.

Remember that you are the one who set up this meeting, and it is up to you to lead the discussion. Make sure you are well prepared before the interview by doing your homework. This research will help you understand the industry jargon and will aid you in preparing a list of question. See "Questions to Ask During an Informational Interview" on this page.

During the meeting, go through your list of questions, but don't propel your way through if time is short. Take cues from your contact some people like to give long-winded answers, others go off on tangents, and others cut to the chase right away. Be respectful of the direction the conversation is heading and let it develop naturally. You don't want to cut off a professional speaking excitedly about his or her career just because you haven't asked all of your questions.

Towards the end of your interview, it is helpful to ask the professional if he or she knows of anyone else you might contact. This is a great way to build a network and develop relationships.

Thank the interviewee for their time and discuss follow up. Follow up will vary depending on the situation. For example, if you are currently a student, you might mutually decide that you will speak again as it gets closer to graduation. It is up to you to keep in touch with this contact. You don't want to make a nuisance of yourself, but emails or messages to check in about some issues you talked about every few weeks or months can be appropriate.

Always send a letter in writing thanking your contact immediately after your meeting. It is common courtesy to thank them for their time, and it's a way to ensure the contact will remember you fondly.

A Win-Win Situation

Informational interviewing is a career development and job search technique that benefits everyone involved. So take the plunge-pick up the phone, get on your computer, and talk your way to career success!

Questions to Ask During an Informational Interview

• Can you describe a typical day on the job?


• What is the best way to prepare for a career in this field?


• Are there certain courses you would recommend that I take?


• What advice can you offer to someone trying to get a job in this field?


• What are the best ways to find out about job openings in this field?


• What type of training is required for success in this field?


• Are there certain graduate degrees that are more useful than others in this field?


• What is the range for entry-level salaries?


• What do you like best and least about your job?


• Do you know of other people in similar positions who might be willing to speak with me?

Benefits of Informational Interviewing

Learn about a field
There is no better way to explore a career than to speak to someone who does the work on a daily basis. As you narrow down your job options, informational interviewing can help you decide which industry, company and position is right for you. Hearing a first-hand perspective, learning the ups and the downs, and getting answers to your most pressing questions should give you a pretty good idea of how you would feel about working in the job.

Build a network
Let's face it, who you know is important. You still need great skills and experiences, but helpful contacts can get your foot in the door. Developing relationships is a key component of informational interviewing. Getting to know professionals in your field helps you find out about job openings, meetings, development and networking opportunities, conferences, and more. For professionals, recruiting eager, enthusiastic, smart young people is exciting and rewarding as well.

Cultivate job leads
Timing is everything. Conducting informational interviews can put you in the right place at the right time. If you happen to have a meeting with someone, and that day, week, or even several weeks later, they have a job opening, they may call you back in for a job interview. Furthermore, your informational interview and follow-up correspondence can put you in the know about job leads at other organizations. Your contact may not be hiring, but maybe his or her friend is. Your contact might pass on your resume, and the fact that someone has recommended you significantly increases your chances of getting an interview.