Ten Steps to Effective Informational Interviewing

Ten Steps to Effective Informational InterviewingTen Steps to Effective Informational InterviewingBy Mike Gotham, Perkins Coie, Director of Recruiting Retention, andShelley Levine, Perkins Coie, Attorney Recruiting ManagerIf hearing the word networking makes you uneasy, then the idea of an informational interview may cause you serious discomfort. Many people shy away from informational interviews, which is unfortunate studies show that informational interviews often play a critical role in a job search. In fact, statistics show that the majority of jobs are secured through networking and personal contacts.Unlike a job interview, an informational interview is notlage intended to lead directly to a job offer- it is a meeting intended to help you get advice on your job search and to expand your network. Informational interviews can also help you think about and refine your career goals and your job search. While it may seem awkward to contact a stranger to seek advice, informational in terviews are quite common. Most people can remember how difficult it was to land their first job and they are happy to spend a little time helping someone just starting in their career.Below is a step-by-step roadmap to make informational interviews easy and effective1. Compile the names of people to contact, and be expansive in creating your list. Ideally the list will be comprised of people with whom you have some connection they may be attorneys who graduated from your college or law school, a friends relative, a referral from a favorite professor, or someone you heard speak at a conference. Keep a record of the people youve contacted (and when) so you will always have a list of your contacts.2. Send an email to your contact explaining that youre looking for advice on your job search. Be sure to notenzeichen your connection right up front (I am currently seeking a summer job in Portland and my friend Jennifer Smith suggested I contact you to find out more about the legal communit y in the city.) Attach a resume so your contact will have information about your academic hintergrund and work experience. If you do not receive a reply in a week, call or send a follow-up email message. My rule is only follow up once if two requests do not trigger a reply I move on to another contact. If your contact is not able to meet, you might politely ask if she can recommend someone else for you to contact.3. It is quite common for informational interviews to be done by phone. If you will talk with your contact by phone, its important to be somewhere for the call where you will not be interrupted and where there will not be any noise in the background. If you will meet in person, meet at a time and place that is most convenient for your contact.4. This is obvious, but bears emphasis be prepared for your meeting. Research your contacts educational background and career so you not only understand the work she has done but also have a good idea of the sort of advice she might pr ovide. For example, is this person practicing in the precise field you are interested in or is this a more general meeting about the state of the local legal market?5. Prepare an agenda for yourself for the meeting with specific questions you want to ask. Its critical to think about the sort of information your contact can provide and tailor your questions accordingly. This will avoid asking questions your contact cannot answer, which can be awkward for you and for her. Remember that this is not an interview where you will be responding to questions it is up to you to ask questions and guide the conversation.6. Begin the meeting with small talk to establish a connection and pave the way for your conversation. Most people enjoy talking about themselves so ask your contact questions about herself and her career to get the conversation started.7. Although you will likely send your resume in advance of your meeting, if you will meet in person and do not send your resume in advance, brin g copies of your resume in case your contact wants to review your background. And be prepared to discuss your academic career and work experience. Keep in mind that your contact may want to assess your qualifications before recommending you to a friend.8. Avoid asking about job opportunities. This meeting is not about getting a job offer your focus should be on collecting information that will be helpful in your job search generally, e.g., information about the type of work you hope to pursue and the legal community in which you want to work. Your contact knows you are looking for a job if she knows of one that would be appropriate for you she will tell you about it.9. Remember that your contact is busy so keep your meeting short. Twenty to thirty minutes is about right. Near the end of your meeting, ask your contact if there are additional people she could suggest you contact for further advice. Be sure to inquire if you may use your contacts name when you contact these other peopl e.10. Send a thank you note within 24 hours of your meeting. The message may be sent by hard copy or by email, but it should be a personalized note sincerely thanking your contact for her time and her assistance.Mike Gothamis Perkins Coies Director of Recruiting Retention andShelley Levine is Perkins Coies Attorney Recruiting Manager.This is a sponsored blog post fromPerkins Coie LLP. You can view the firms Vault profilehere.Follow Vault Law on TwitterVaultLawand follow Vault on InstagramVaultCareersandFacebookRead MoreThe Art of the Informational InterviewNetworking to Get- and Keep- Your Law Firm JobWhat Not To Do in an Informational Interview