5 Steps to Nailing the Informational Interview

5 Steps to Nailing the Informational Interview 5 Steps to Nailing the Informational Interview Informational einstellungsgesprchs are meetings with contacts who you think could help you in your job search, either by providing information or job leads. An informational einstellungsgesprch can make you a desirable candidate for an open job or for one thats about to open up.Once youve decided you want an informational bewerberinterview, the next step islanding one. Dont psych yourself out, its perfectly doable.Justfollow these five tips on how tolandand makethe most of an informational interview at the company of your dreams.1. Comb through your contactsYou might have someone on your contacts list who could be just the person to give you information about your dream job. First of all, decide on the kinds of people who you want to meet, as well as considering how you could meet them. Do you have an old friend from college who works at your dream company? Someone youre following on Twitte r with a contact address? To start, identify who you want to get to know, use LinkedIn groups to find relevant contacts, and start attendingnetworking events in your area.2. Figure out what you want to learnBefore you go to your informational interview, you want to ponder thekinds of questions you want to ask. Do you want to know if your qualifications make you hireable at the company or at a similar company? Do you want to know about the companys benefits and paid leave? Or do you want to know about current hiring trends in that field? Havinga goodidea aboutthe questions you want to ask will makeyour informational interviewmore productive. During the interview, jot down questions in a notebook or iPad, not on your phone or laptop, so you can maintain eye contact with the interviewee. You want to take enough notes so the interviewee doesnt have to repeat himself, but you dont want to take so many notes you look like a reporter.3. Come preparedIn your informational interview you dont want to make the person youre interviewing do all of the work. Rather thanwaste that persons time by asking questions you could have answered yourself by browsing the company website,learn what you can about your interviewee and the company beforehand. Write down notes about the industry, company, and interviewee so youre prepared. Interviewees will be flattered and impressed that you know so much about her career and the company. Remember, most people like to hang out and hire people who remind them of themselves, so coming prepared to discuss your similarities withthe interviewee is also important.Come prepared to your informational interview by researching the job and company.4. Be graciousThe person with whom you had the informational interview is taking time out of his or her busy life to help you. Be enthusiastic during the interview. Remember, this is a casual interview dont ask for too much from the interviewee (i.e. dont ask for a job). Afterwards, thank them for their time with a physical or electronic thank-you note. Once you get home, send a follow-up thank you email to demonstrate how much the interview meant to you. If you show how much you value the persons time, theyll be that much more likely to want to help you again this time, perhaps, by letting you know about job opportunities at their company.5. Prepare your applicationIf you noticean open position after youve had your informational interview, dont be quick to assume that youre ashoo-in to be hired.Instead, tailor your application package in a way that reminds the person with whom you had your interview of your good qualities. Start by using ourresume templatesandresume guideto make sure your materials are appropriate for the hiring process. Next, remind your contact about the details of your meeting so they can remember you.Afterwards, scan the job posting and your resume throughJobscan. Jobscan ensures keywords on the resume and posting match, which, in turn, signals that youve con sidered how your experience matches the qualifications of the hired applicant.Informational interviews have plenty of benefits. First, you can learn more about the hiring trends and expectations in your field. Second, you can think about them as an alternate route to learning about open jobs, as employers dont always advertise every position. Third, you can make sincere connections with individuals you might not otherwise meet, individuals who may be able to help you in your future job search. Make the most of your informational interview with solid prep, good follow-up, and a well-considered application package.