Use Informational Interviews to check out a career or a job before you change to it. Find out what skills are needed in the field you want to go into.
Use Informational Interviews to check out:
- A career before you change to it.
- A job before you take it, instead of after.
- Places before you decide to try to work there.
- What skills are needed in the field you want to go into.
Who you want to talk to:
Someone doing the kind of work or ministry you think you would like to do. It doesn’t matter whether or not they have a vacancy.
How to Get the Appointment:
Ask anyone you know whether they know someone in the field you want to go into. If not, do they know someone who might know someone in the field. Will they introduce you to the person they know?
Once you get the name and number of the person doing the kind of work you want to do, call and explain that you are taking some steps to change your career and you are very interested in that field or career or industry or company.
Would they be willing to spend ten minutes answering a few questions you have? Some will. Some won’t. If they say “No”, ask, “Can you suggest someone I should talk to?”
Steps to Take Before an Informational Interview:
Research as much as you can about the field and the company before you meet with them. Google the company on the Internet. Ask your contacts if they know anyone who works there.
Questions You Should Ask the Worker in the Informational Interview:
- Any questions you have about the field, career, industry, company, job, ministry or kind of work?
- How did you get interested in doing this type of work?
- What do you like most about it?
- The most challenging things you do?
- What skills does it take to do this work? (Write down the skills immediately after the interview, so you’ll be sure to mention them in future interviews if you have these skills!)
- What do you like least about it?
- Who else, doing this type of work or ministry, would you recommend I talk to?
- Could you give me their name and phone number?
- Would you be willing to call them?
- Or may I say that you suggested I contact them?
Respect Their Time Commitment:
When ten minutes is up, thank your contact for the time they’ve taken and excuse yourself.
After the Informational Interview:
Write a thank-you letter to your contact. Or send an e-mail AND write a thank-you letter. After seeing you, she may think of someone else you should get in touch with.
So, Information Interviews confirm or enhance what you decided under Choose Your Career Objective.
Please comment. Contact Us