The do's and don'ts of informational interviews

Whether you are just starting out or looking to transition to a new area of global development, the informational interview is an effective tool for learning about the career paths and employers available, the kinds of skills and experience you will need, and cultivating a network that can help you get there. While the benefits of informational interviews are widely understood, knowing how to actually ask for them and what to expect isn’t always as clear. Most employers do not have a formal process for conducting informational interviews, so it requires navigating informal channels through personal connections and outreach. Some may be conducted more like a structured interview, but more often they are casual conversations just as likely to happen in a coffee shop or over Skype as in the boardroom. While no two informational interviews are ever the same, here are five do’s and don’ts to making the most of one. 1. DO leverage your connections People are a lot more likely to agree to an informational interview if they have at least some loose connection to you. It could be a common alma mater, a mutual friend or having a shared overseas volunteer experience. Busy professionals who may be fielding multiple requests will likely prioritize referrals from other professionals they trust, too. While name dropping can often be in poor taste, make sure you name your connection to the people you reach out to so they are more likely to respond. 2. DON’T ask for a job The immediate goal of an informational interview should not be to land a job. You should treat an informational interview with the same preparation and seriousness you would an actual job interview, but expecting a job as a result will not only be defeating but could also turn off the person you are meeting. Don’t worry — if they have a job to offer, they will let you know. 3. DO be prepared to take the lead In an informational interview, the person in the driver’s seat is you. Don’t expect the person you asked to do an informational interview to be the one to lead the discussion. Come prepared with specific (and well-researched) questions, know exactly what you want to get out of it and be straightforward with them about those expectations so they can better prepare. 4. DON’T make it all about you While you should be prepared to drive the discussion, that doesn’t mean you should do most of the talking. An informational interview is the chance to learn from the inside how a particular organization or career path operates. It’s not a place for you to share your life story and seek career guidance accordingly. Come ready with a good list of questions, enough information about yourself and what you are looking for to provide context, and then sit back and listen. 5. DO follow up Conducting informational interviews is rarely part of anyone’s job description. Make sure you properly thank the person who took the time to meet with you because it likely meant putting off more pressing job-related tasks. Send an email — or a handwritten card — expressing your gratitude and follow up on any additional referrals or leads they may have offered during your conversation. And be sure to stay in touch by sharing an interesting article link or an update on your job search now and then — particularly if you felt a good connection with the person. Keeping the conversation going is how you grow and cultivate your network. For more advice on informational interviews, read How to ask for an informational interview. Looking to make a career move? Visit our career center for expert advice on how to navigate your job search - all you need is a Devex Career Account to get started.