Looking for an outside-the-box idea to join a particular company? Informational interviewing could be your ticket to finding the job.
There are strategies some smart job seekers use to find new remote work or work-from-home jobs that many people never take advantage of. The strategy is to ask for and participate in an informational interview. Ideally, your interview will be with someone who works at the specific company you want to work for.
According to the Princeton University Career Development Center, for the uninitiated, an informational interview is often an informal conversation aimed at gathering information and insight, rather than specifically applying for a job or internship.
While some may think this is an unnecessary hurdle to getting a job because it’s not a real job interview, some career coaches say this type of conversation can be very helpful in learning more about a particular career and building a broader network of professional resources.
As Princeton University career data shows, informational interviews may not directly lead to a job, but honest interactions with interviewees can help job seekers build stronger connections that may be valuable in the future. After all, the only way to truly know if you’re the best fit for a particular role is to gather details about the job from the people who are actually doing it.
Informational interviews, notes Indeed.com can be conducted in person, over the phone, or via video chat. For those who ask the right questions, there is an opportunity to gain an insider’s perspective on a particular work environment, understand decision-making responsibilities, and learn how best to prepare for a similar role.
If you’re looking for a new remote role and haven’t participated in these informal conversations, consider this an opportunity to learn more about how we can help you land your next great position.
Direct guidance on specific tasks
There’s a saying that to truly understand someone’s perspective, you have to walk a mile in their shoes. Similarly, job seekers can use informational interviews to gain first-hand insight into the realities of working in a particular field, organization, industry, or position.
The problem is, according to the University of California, Berkeley, this type of insider information isn’t always available online. So one of the best ways to get there is to find people who are already working in that field. You can do this at a job fair, but a one-on-one interview may allow you to share more information that will help you in your job search.
Details about career paths you didn’t know existed
Another great thing about participating in informational interviews, according to Keene State University, is that you may be able to get tips and other inside information on how to prepare for and win a position.
Depending on the willingness of the person you’re interviewing with, you may develop valuable professional relationships, expand your network in a particular career field, and meet people who may provide you with future job offers.
It can also provide you with insight into potential jobs in your field or at your current company before a job is posted. Plus, you don’t know what you don’t know. During your informational interview, you may find a role that is relevant to your career path and open up more opportunities.
Gain inside knowledge about the role and company
According to Indeed, informational interviews also allow you to learn first-hand what the job or company is really like, including the culture, job duties, and typical expectations. This information is often not included in job postings, and in fact cannot be included.
This type of insight can help you tailor your job application to specific remote roles.
For example, an informational interview may reveal that a particular role requires a specific skill level with a particular brand of software. With that in mind, you can clearly explain your comfort level with the software, if applicable. Or, if you prefer, you can use that inside information to take classes and tutorials to build the skills you need.
Find out what employers are really looking for
When you’re changing career fields or looking for your first job, it can be difficult to know everything there is to know about a potential role at an unfamiliar company. According to LinkedIn data, this is another way informational interviews can help.
By asking experts what skills and experience are most important, you can better highlight important data in your resume and cover letter. This is especially important in remote jobs where communication and self-management skills are often required.
Gain access to hidden job markets
Although the immediate purpose of an informational interview should not be to overtly ask for a job or a recommendation from the person you speak with, the potential benefit of such an interview could be if the professional decides to share with you an unadvertised opportunity or upcoming job posting. According to Macildowie Recruitment and Retention, you may be able to get a competitive edge before a role is listed.
Because you may have access to hidden work, it’s wise to dress professionally and appropriately for the role, even if you’re meeting via Zoom or other video conferencing platforms.
Develop a better job search strategy
The conversations you have during an informational interview can also help you customize your job search. Career Contessa points out that you’ll gain a deeper understanding of which specific roles best suit your interests, which companies hire remotely, and how to approach applications.
Improve confidence and communication skills
One of the best ways to get better at something is to practice. So it’s great that one of the benefits of informational interviewing is that it helps build confidence and communication skills. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the informal nature of informational interviews provides a low-pressure way to practice networking and hone your interviewing skills, which are skills you’ll need to later use in formal remote job interviews.
Information interview conclusion
Although informational interviews are not designed to land you a job right away, they can be an important strategy for learning more about a specific company’s culture and expectations, as well as a specific role within your industry. Career coach and employment agent.
To get the most out of these interviews, it’s wise to prepare in advance by having a list of questions and researching the person you want to talk to. This shows that you value their time, as it could lead to new and valuable connections in your job search.
