Guidelines

Informational Interview Guidelines

  1. CHOOSE YOUR INTERVIEW SUBJECT CAREFULLY, TO REFLECT YOUR NEED. Select people who actually are doing the kind of work you are considering. Target the position(s) you are interested in.

  2. SET AND KEEP APPOINTMENTS -- BRIEF APPOINTMENTS (15-30 MINUTES). Observe all business etiquette: Be on time, don't linger past the time allotted without a specific invitation, dress appropriately to the setting and formality of the meeting.

  3. BE VERY FOCUSED ABOUT YOUR PORPOSE, THE TYPE OF INFORMATION YOU ARE SEEKING AND WHY YOU BELIEVE THAT PERSON CAN PROVIDE IT, AND STATE THAT UP FRONT IN YOUR CALL OR LETTER AND REVIEW IT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING.

  4. DO YOUR HOMEWORK. Informational interviewing is not a way to avoid doing research. Prepare for the informational interview in the same way you should prepare for an interview for a job.

  5. USE YOUR PLANNED QUESTIONS TO GET THE CONVERSATION STARTED, BUT TRY TO MAKE THE QUESTIONS OPEN-ENDED AND THEN ASK QUESTIONS THAT RELATE TO THE CONTENT OF THE ANSWERS.

  6. IF YOU ARE SPEAKING WITH A POTENTIAL EMPLOYER, SELECT SOME SKILLS AND TRAITS THAT YOU WISH TO SHARE, BUT LISTEN CAREFULLY TO THE PERSON'S STATED CRITERIA FOR EMPLOYEE SELECTION AND TAILOR YOUR RESPONSES. Don't prepare to presentation based upon assumptions or your own agenda and then deliver it.

  7. BE A GOOD ACTIVE LISTENER. Act interested and unhurried. Don't interrogate the person you are interviewing. Let your focus on your questions guide the interview, but remember your main purpose in being there, even in a get-acquainted or marketing interview with a potential employer, is to gain information that you need for decision-making and implementation of your goals.

  8. GET THE CORRECT SPELLING AND PRONUNICIATION OF THE PERSON'S NAME, BEFORE MAKING THE CONTACT, IF POSSIBLE, BUT EARLY IN YOUR CONVERSATION, IF NOT BEFORE.

  9. TAKE NOTES AS WELL AS YOU CAN WITHOUT INTERRUPTING THE FLOW OF THE CONVERSATION. Fill in the details after the interview, including your impressions and reactions. Use your observation skills as well as your listening skills.

  10. FOLLOW UP YOUR INTERVIEWS. Always write a thank you letter, addressing it to the person you talked to. If the person refers you to others, ask for permission to use his/her name and make those contacts as soon as possible.