Job-search triage: the informational interview

Instead of sitting around waiting for call-backs and interviews, human resources professionals recommend that job seekers set up informational interviews with managers and executives within their target companies.

Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR)/Independent HR Consultant Amy Malone says job seekers set up informational interviews to:

• See if a company's particular culture is a fit
• Gain confidence
• Gain valuable insight
• Get networked into that manager’s world, as well as his/her organization and industry

Malone says it is not appropriate to lay down a résumé during an informational interview, unless it is requested by the manager. She also says that job seekers are advised to come prepared with thoughtful questions about the industry/organization. “While I have used ReferenceUSA as a research tool in preparation for a meeting or interview, I find Business First to be extremely helpful in identifying key players within the industry or company, as well as company web pages displaying board/executive profiles,” says Malone.

When Malone moved to Columbus from south Florida, she knew to join local, industry-affiliated associations and attend various networking events to meet new people at all levels and industries. “This helped me tremendously in rooting myself within my new community, as well as land business as an independent consultant and, most recently, interviews for a future, full-time position.”

Malone uses professional societies, including the Human Resources Association of Central Ohio (HRACO), to connect with upper-level managers in target companies. She also uses Scioto Ridge Job Networking Group and LinkedIn to make connections.

The informational interview is a great time to practice the "tell me about yourself" speech, says Suzanne Burkholder, Career and HR Consultant. She agrees that it is inappropriate to ask for a job during the informational interview. In addition to asking for information and advice, she suggests that job seekers ask who else they should talk to so they can keep growing and nurturing their networks.

Burkholder says “follow-up is key!” She recommends that job seekers thank each manager/executive for his/her time, information, advice and contacts. Thank-you letters should be sent via email, with hard copies in the U.S. mail, and each manager/executive should be updated on any progress, she says. And job seekers must keep good records of connections made, including dates, and follow-up tasks such as call-backs and thank-you letters, she adds. (The Job Search Workbook helps job seekers keep track of this information, as well as résumés submitted, job-board websites and job-search expenses.)