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Informational Interviews1. What is an “informational interview,” <strong>and</strong> why is itbeneficial to you? An informational interview is an arrangedmeeting with someone who works in a job, <strong>career</strong> field or organizationthat interests you.Benefits:• Very effective technique for researching <strong>and</strong> screening<strong>career</strong>s, jobs or employers.• Answers questions about what it’s like to work in aparticular <strong>career</strong> field or job or for a specific organization.• Increases your network of contacts (the majority of jobsare obtained through networking).• Talking to industry professionals is a good way offinding out if a field really is a good fit for you.• Helps prepare you for the job search.2. How do I find people who will talk to me? This may beeasier than you think. People typically enjoy talking about theirwork <strong>and</strong> sharing their experiences. Start with your own network:• ICC <strong>and</strong> <strong>UC</strong> <strong>Davis</strong> faculty <strong>and</strong> staff• LinkedIn• Friends <strong>and</strong> family members (don’t forget roommates<strong>and</strong> classmates)• Directories, other print <strong>resource</strong>s or through companywebsite links <strong>and</strong> staff listing• Cal Aggie Alumni Association <strong>Career</strong> Resource Network• Professional Associations <strong>and</strong> Events• ICC Events (info meetings, <strong>career</strong> fairs)3. How do I initiate contact? Be clear about your objectivebefore you initiate contact. Set clear goals about what you wantto gain from the informational interview. Once you have acontact’s name, you may contact this person by letter, email ortelephone. Let this person know how you found out about himor her. When you contact someone, explain why you are doingso <strong>and</strong> be polite, positive <strong>and</strong> businesslike. Request a mutuallyconvenient, thirty-minute face-to-face meeting. It’s best toprepare a draft or script. Following is a sample script that canbe used for phone or email introductions.“Hello, my name is Max Mustang. Alex Aggie suggestedI call you. I am a senior majoring in English at <strong>UC</strong><strong>Davis</strong>, <strong>and</strong> am interested in learning more about <strong>career</strong>sin technical writing. Alex recommended you as someonewho is well respected in this field. I’m wondering if Imight make a half-hour appointment with you sometimesoon to seek your advice. Thank you!”You can use a similar script for email requests.Remember, you want insight into their job market; you arenot asking them for a job.4. How do I prepare for the informational interview? Doinitial research on the <strong>career</strong> field or employer using the internetor the print <strong>resource</strong>s in the <strong>Internship</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Career</strong> <strong>Center</strong>Library, Room 215 South Hall. Once you’ve done the research,develop a 30-second overview of yourself, including yourreasons for contacting this person. Plan open-ended questions tokeep the conversation flowing, instead of questions that require a“Yes” or “No” answer (see sample question section). Dress neatly<strong>and</strong> appropriately, just as you would for a job interview. Takemultiple copies of your resume <strong>and</strong> a notepad <strong>and</strong> pen, alongwith a list of prioritized questions to ask.5. How should I conduct the informational interview? Startby thanking your contact for taking the time to meet with you,then establish rapport by engaging in a bit of small talk. Afterthat give a short introduction of who you are <strong>and</strong> why yousought them out, then start with your prioritized questions.As a rule, you should not take more than a half hour of thisperson’s time, so you may not be able to ask all your questions.Remember, this is a conversation, not an interrogation, so let itflow. Following are sample questions you might ask. Pick a fewkey ones.Questions about the <strong>career</strong>:1. How did you become interested in this <strong>career</strong>?2. What is a typical workday like? What are your jobresponsibilities?3. What are the rewards, challenges <strong>and</strong> frustrations ofworking in this <strong>career</strong>?4. What entry-level jobs are available in this field?5. What experience is necessary to enter this <strong>career</strong>?6. What advice do you have for someone preparing to enterthis <strong>career</strong>?Questions about the organization/industry:1. How does your position fit within the organization/industry/<strong>career</strong> field?2. What is your work environment like?3. What is the economic forecast for this industry?4. What is unique to your organization? Who are yourcompetitors?Questions about future growth/salary information:1. What are the employment prospects for someoneentering this field?2. What are some of the current issues <strong>and</strong> trends in thisfield?3. What is a typical starting salary or salary range in thisfield?Follow-up questions:1. Would you mind taking a quick look at my resume?How should I target my resume for your industry?2. Are there professional publications I should read orassociations I should join?3. What other professionals in this field would you recommendI speak with for additional information? May I useyour name when I contact them?4. May I keep in touch with you?Don’t be afraid to ask your own questions. This is yourchance to get the information you need from an industryprofessional.Shortly after your interview, send a thank-you note oremail. Let the person know how much you appreciated theirtime <strong>and</strong> advice. That person might think about alerting youin the future when a job opportunity arises in that organization...orhe or she might refer your resume to colleaguesin other organizations. Also, contact them occasionally tomaintain a relationship..Remember: Always send a thank-you note <strong>and</strong> don’t askfor a job!The <strong>Internship</strong>/Job Searchicc.ucdavis.edu 7