By Valeria Duque
Since starting FirstGen Ahead, I have learned a lot about job search and networking. Over these last few months specifically, I have learned how to conduct informational interviews. As of now, I have done a total of four informational interviews, each of them pertaining to either the Human Resources field or the Social Work field, both career areas I am interested in exploring. During these four interviews, I learned a lot about what you should do before, during, and after these informational interviews.
Based on my experience with informational interviews, here are my six pieces of advice:
1. Utilize your coach and others in your network to identify people who you can interview. All of my informational interviews happened through a personal connection where they sent an introductory email.
2. Immediately follow up after an introductory email with an email expressing appreciation for the opportunity and asking the person to identify a convenient time for a 30-minute phone or face-to-face conversation. Being able to initially connect through e-mail is always a good idea in order to schedule a time that works for you and your interviewer. It’s also important to know that life can get in the way for both people involved, so being able to communicate and reschedule is key.
3. Always prepare 6-8 questions in advance to ask during the interview, recognizing that spontaneous questions are likely to emerge during the interview.
4. Look for a location that would be well suited for the interview. If the interview is conducted over the phone, then select a location where there’s minimal background noise and the likelihood of few outside interruptions.
5. During the interview, take notes on information that piques your interest. Whether it’s their story, what they did to get where they are at professionally or suggestions they give you that are relevant to your professional growth, it is always good to write it down and compile it all in one document immediately after the interview is completed.
6. Write a thank you e-mail about what really stood out to you during the interview and promise to follow up on all action items that were discussed. This is always a great thing to do when it comes to keeping the network strong. Send that email within 24 hours!
Informational interviews and being able to master them are a great skill to have if you have questions you want to ask of people in the actual field that you are interested in pursuing. Knowing what to do before, during and after the informational interview maximizes the opportunity to learn as well as to make a positive impression on the person you met.
