Comments on: The Informational Interview Is Actually a Thing You Should Do, Yes

By: aerie9

aerie9 — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 21:06:13 +0000

The tags on this post are totally great.
Also, very helpful tips and links in the comments section. Thanks, all!

By: carpetblogger

carpetblogger — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 06:20:56 +0000

All good advice, but please, write your intro email like a normal person, not like you write on the internet. The olds will judge you.

By: DavidDavid

DavidDavid — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 18:41:20 +0000

@punzy It’s always useful and fairly easy to keep the initial focus of the conversation on the person you are meeting with (i.e. ask questions about them and how they came to have their current role. Show interest in them. Ask about what influenced their own career decisions; what in the firm they would change if they could; ask them to characterize the nature of the culture of the organization; and then there is “based on my credentials, how would you see someone like me adding value to what your organization is accomplishing; who do you most compete with; how are you different, the same, etc.?”

By: cdarcy

cdarcy — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 18:36:08 +0000

Me, in an e-mail to British journalist in DC (paraphrased): Hi, I’m a student exploring career options. I’m curious what it’s like to be a foreign journalist in the US and what it takes to become a foreign correspondent. Could we sit down over lunch sometime and talk about it?

Him (verbatim e-mail): No.

By: DavidDavid

DavidDavid — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 18:21:46 +0000

Two other very key things when in an informational interview:
1. NEVER EVER ask for a job or position at the firm if the basis of the call or meeting was to get advice (information). If the person you are meeting with thinks you would be a good fit, he or she will make it clear when it’s appropriate for you to say “sure, I’d be interested in hearing more about a position with you.”

2. Particularly in NYC, almost everyone is always willing to meet to provide you with advice about how your credentials look to others, and make appropriate introductions that can result in the real purpose of your quest for an informational interview. Just be sure to have the discipline to keep it on that level (to obtain advice) and don’t ask for more than you stated was the purpose of the time together (by phone, or whatever) … If all you get is information, take that as your answer.

By: Jellybish

Jellybish — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 16:27:00 +0000

@Nick Probably. But it was such a poorly written e-mail overall that even without that, it made me uninterested in talking to her. I did actually offer to speak with her, but she wasn’t available at the time I offered. And I never followed up because a. I think that’s on her, and b. this is my last week at this job and I’ve got enough on my plate right now.

By: Nick

Nick — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 10:22:44 +0000

@Jellybish I think you’re being too harsh, it sounds like just an innocent misunderstanding to me rather than a lie.

By: Megoon

Megoon — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 00:47:48 +0000

@caprette Completely agree. I think it’s hard to connect with someone in a memorable way over the phone, and if you make it easy for the person, they’re probably happy to meet up.

Also, a great thing to ask at the end of the meeting is who else might be good to talk to.

By: Robin

Robin — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 18:48:49 +0000

@caprette That’s what I was going to say. Perhaps it’s because I work for a large university, but I have gone for coffee with MANY people in advance of applying for jobs/interviewing. It’s a great way to show that you are invested in it (how easy is it to write an email?) and also to show off your awesome interpersonal skills (if you are a space cadet in person, perhaps emails are best).

By: OhMarie

OhMarie — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 17:49:56 +0000

@boots Yeah, I feel like the whole title of “informational interview” does the thing a disservice. It sounds so reasonable once you break down what it actually is.