• • Purpose:
    • Personalize a connection with someone you’d like to learn more from, get connected to, or learn more about their organization.
  • The Value of an informational interview
    • An informal meeting between you and someone in a field you are interested in where you have the opportunity to learn more about their organization, their field, the work they do, and/or gain information about the skills or experiences you could gain to get into the field or organization.
    • One of the best sources for gathering information about an occupation, industry or company–by talking with people who actually work in your field
    • A way to find out about jobs you might like—to see if they fit your interests and personality
    • It is important to keep in mind that the purpose is to obtain information, not to get a job
  • How they’re conducted
    • An interview that YOU initiate
    • NOT an interview for employment

Why Conduct Informational Interviews?

• • Expand your professional network
  • Explore careers and clarify career goals
  • Learn about the realities of working in a specific role or organization
  • Build confidence for actual job interviews
  • Access up-to-date career information
  • Identify professional strengths and weaknesses
  • Identify professional skills you have and the skills you could still develop
  • Tap into the “hidden job market” (employment opportunities that are not advertised)

Identify Target Occupations/Organizations

• • Utilize LinkedIn, the alumni map (link), the First Destination Database, as well as organizations and positions you’ve heard of from others to identify target organizations and positions.
  • Assess your interests, skills, abilities & values

 Identify People to Interview

• • Utilize people you know: family, friends of family, family of your friends, fellow students, present or former supervisors, co-workers, professors, neighbors, etc.
  • Utilize LinkedIn to identify MPA alumni, organizations, and those who work with organizations/positions of interest
  • Search online or contact organizations for the name of an appropriate person by job title.

 Prepare for the Interview

• • Research the field and organization prior to meeting with your contacts
  • Prepare questions you would like answered

 Arrange the Interview

• • Contact your identified person by email. Be sure to indicate who referred you (if anyone) to this person or organization
  • Ask for 20-30 minutes at a mutually convenient time

 Conduct the Interview

• • Be prepared to ask questions and start the conversation – what do you want to know?
  • Consider where and how you are meeting to determine your attire, though this isn’t an interview we recommend at least business casual attire (more formal if the setting fits a more formal attire), and remember you only get one chance at a first impression.
  • Stay on track, but allow for spontaneous discussion
  • Ask for names of others who might be helpful and ask permission to use your contact’s name

Follow Up

• • Immediately following the interview, record pertinent information. Maintain good records!
  • Send a thank you note within 48 hours. Email is acceptable.
  • Reflect on the informational interview – do you want to learn more about the field or organization, does it still sound appealing? Connect with Allison to help with reflection.

Ask Questions Based on What You Want to Know

• • What is a typical day like in this position?
  • What excites you about this field or position?
  • What personal qualities or abilities are important to being successful in this job?
  • Which skills have you found most helpful, and which ones will be most important in the future?
  • What part of this job do you find most satisfying? Most challenging?
  • How did you find your job? What resources did you use?
  • What opportunities for advancement are there in this field?
  • How do you see jobs in this field changing in the future?
  • What challenges does this industry face?
  • What advice would you give a person entering this field?
  • Which professional organizations would help me learn more about this field?
  • If you could do things all over again, would you choose the same path for yourself? Why? What would you change?
  • How would you evaluate the experience I’ve had so far for entering this field?
  • What skills are important for this job or field and what are some ways you’ve seen people gain those skills?
  • What related or other fields or job titles would you suggest I research further?
  • Would you critique my resume?
  • With whom else should I talk? When I contact him/her, may I use your name?

• • Tell the connection how you found them (what do you have in common, UNC, UNC MPA, someone you mutually know, etc.) 
  • Express why you want to connect with them specifically
  • You aren’t asking for a job in these connections; you are asking for information, but you can share a resume or your LinkedIn URL as an FYI about who you are.
  • Do your homework
  • Plan and practice your “opener”
  • Call or e-mail again in a week if your contact has not responded
  • Make them feel important in the current and future interactions
  • Maintain your connections and nurture them. This is relationship building!
  • Be patient. Networking takes time.
  • Reflect on what you learn, this is an opportunity to determine whether you want to continue exploring that organization/position type.

Resources for Building Your Network

Carolina MPA Resources:

• • MPA Alumni
  • Relationships with area employers through various professional organizations

Web:

• • LinkedIn (Search for UNC Master of Public Administration)
  • Basics of Good Networking
  • How to Initiate Insider Contacts
  • Networking Your Way to a New Job

Source: https://www.hercjobs.org/informational-interviews-explained/?utm_source=Active+Jobseekers&utm_campaign=2a5f1fb510-October+Enews+2019&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_a4b543c9c5-2a5f1fb510-31185045