What is an Informational Interview anyway?

     You are a qualified and certified Information Technology professional that will be an asset to any company, right? After your multiple efforts in filling out tedious applications, referrals from New Horizons of North Florida, and postings of your resume to different job sites, you are still unemployed. You may feel that you will impress a Hiring Manager for your dream place to work if only given a chance to an interview. Have you ever thought about an Informational Interview? Here is why the Informational Interview should be your favorite job-hunting tactic!

     What is an Informational Interview anyway? It is a one-on-one conversation with someone who is employed in the specific company that you're interested in learning more about. It is a way for you, the job seeker, to get first hand advice on a career in IT, the industry itself, and the culture of a future workplace. On the other hand, it gives a Hiring Manager the opportunity to judge your professional potential and how you, as a potential future hire, will fit into the culture and aid company goals.

    Why should I do an Informational Interview? In short, because it is crucial to your job search.

1. Become more than a piece of paper 
• It is a chance to get in the door, and get in the door faster! This tactic allows you to move beyond the one page resume submission and engage with the people who can hire you.
• You remove all competition from job-seeking playing field when the person you wish to speak with is not in the midst of screening candidates for a job.
2. Gain "Information"
• Prepare a list of questions on the company and the field. Your interviewer will be pleased you did your research. 
• Many professionals will grant Informational Interviews and are happy to share his or her knowledge with you. Take advantage of their time to gather helpful tips from an insider.
3. Practice

• You are a professional and knowledgeable in your field, however, it is normal during a time of pressure to fumble your works a bit. 
• Going on informational interviews gives you a boost of confidence in explaining your career goals and how your skills obtained now and your work ethic will get you to the goal. 
4. Find a potential Mentor
• You may find that you and the interviewer click. It gives you a professional connection in the Information Technology industry who likes you.
• They could serve as a reference to the company you interviewed with or others in their network. 
• Make sure you ask if you could reach out to them again in the future. This broadens the scope of the initial 20 minutes you were initially granted.
5. Network Yourself
• Treat the interview as if there is a potential job offer because there may be. 80% of Information Technology jobs are not posted anywhere and are in the Hidden Market.
• It is a chance to shine, show off your skills, and how you will be a great asset to the company. 

So, how to land an Informational Interview? Simply ask! You can do this through a letter, through LinkedIn, an E-mail, or have a friend set it up for you. Ask them out to coffee or offer to come in on a day when the load is light. Chances are they will say yes. Do you know why? People love talking about themselves ;)

This is a tactic that has been proven effective with students from New Horizons of North Florida with a job offer at the end of the Informational Interview. A position was never advertised.