One of the easiest ways to branch out and find a new position is informational interviewing, but surprisingly not many job seekers engage in this process. When my clients approach me for interview preparation, they are usually referring to hiring interviews and not informational interviewing. This is a network-building process that can help you organically increase your job prospects and make real connections in your industry.
What is Informational Interviewing?
Informational interviewing goes beyond typical networking, in which you often try to build symbiotic business relationships to gain referrals. When conducting informational interviewing, the idea is to let others know that you are ready for a new challenge in your career.
Why Should I Be Doing Informational Interviewing?
Informational Interviewing Gives You Insight Into New Industries or Companies
One of the best ways to learn about emerging companies, trades, or industries is through informational interviewing. As you discuss the current state of your industry, these topics will naturally come up. Even if the person with which you are conducting an informational interview does not have an opening at their current company, they may know an up-and-coming venture that you may be interested in.
You Will Learn About New Trends through Informational Interviewing
Discussing your industry with other professionals through informational interviewing will help you gain further insight into your field, including emerging trends. You can compare knowledge and approaches to apply to your own work, and you will grow professionally as a result.
Informational Interviewing will Give You an Inside Track into Open Positions
If you contact a company and conduct an informational interview with them before they even have an open position, they will probably contact you once a relevant position does become available. You may be able to move more swiftly through the interview process than other applicants, as your informational interview could serve as a preliminary hiring interview. Since people in the company have already discussed their business with you, you might have better insight into the position than other applicants.
Even if there is not a job opening in the company with which you conduct informational interviewing, they may know of another opening within the industry. You can get leads from any industry contact!
You Can Gain Hiring Allies through Informational Interviewing
If a position is open at a company in which you have conducted an informational interview, you will likely gain some hiring allies during the process. Though you should not directly speak with the person in charge of hiring during your informational interview, as this could be a conflict of interest, other members of the company may have some say in the hiring process, and they can advocate on your behalf.
Informational Interviewing Will Expand Your Existing Network
Even if your informational interviewing does not immediately yield a job offer, you will still expand your existing professional network through the process. This may help you in your current business, whether it leads to more referrals or just bolsters your professional reputation. Having contacts throughout your industry is never a bad thing. You may even develop new ventures or partnerships with people you meet through informational interviewing.
Get Help with Informational Interviewing
Informational interviewing can be a daunting prospect for those who have never done it. Stay tuned for my next post on how to start informational interviewing, and feel free to contact me with any questions about the process at (816) 600-2478.
