Step 12 - The 5 Steps of Informational Interviews

Recently in my PR program at Mohawk, we were given the task of completing an informational interview as an assignment. This was a great way to force us students to realize that we need to get in gear. While I have been networking over the course of this program, I had not conducted an info interview yet and I was excited to get started. In fact, this excitement lead to 4 informational interviews, more than was required. But the thing is, info interview are helpful for my career beyond an assignment, and now is the best time to be doing them.

So I took the time to seek out new contacts and set up info interviews. I have my first one tomorrow, which I will share with you here in a follow-up post. Now I want to take the time to share some knowledge I have gained on info interviews and why they are important for student and soon-to-be professionals.

But wait. Before you go any further here is a caution: informational interviews are not job interviews. Why I am beginning with this forewarning is to clarify misconceptions that you are attempting to get a job from info interviews and ease any hesitations you may have about actually doing info interviews. Also, because info interviews are not filled with pressure and nerves like job interviews are, they should be something you look forward to. They should also be a means to your end of learning more about the industry that you want to work in and the profession that you are striving for. You may be asking why bother with info interviews if you already have a lot on your plate preparing for graduation. Look at it as an opportunity to learn more about the job you may get. It could also lead to a job prospect down the line. And any job opportunity is a good thing.

The 5 Steps of Informational Interviews

1. Make Contact

• Search out professionals in your field that are located within a traveling distance that you are comfortable with. It is futile to contact someone that you are unable to reach if you don’t have a car. 
• Contact them (email or phone) to introduce yourself and ask for an interview. Make your intent clear and keep the emails minimal else you become annoying.

*Maintain a positive outlook here as some people may dismiss you if they are busy. Just remember there are many out there willing to help. 

2. Preparation is Key 

• Schedule a mutually agreeable time to meet, preferably at their office (unless they suggest coffee at a shop nearby). 
• Research the company they work for so you have an idea of the work they do. This will help you in knowing how to interview them. 
• Prepare a list of questions to bring along.

3. Do it Professionally

• Show up to the interview early, dressed professionally. Introduce yourself and immediately thank them for meeting with you. Be honest in why you approached them, and be courteous in not taking up too much of their time. 
• They may ask to know more about you, so be prepared to answer this question with a 30 second commercial or personal pitch. 
• You should have a resume handy in case they ask too. But don’t give it to them unless asked.

4. The Q & A 

• Ask your questions, and take notes. You may want to ask them if you can record the interview with your phone or voice recorder to better capture their answers. 
• Once the interview comes to a close one of the last questions you ask should be a referral. 
• Ask them if they know anyone else you should talk to. 
• Ask them for their business card so you can keep in touch post interview. Even better, show up with your own business card handy as well.

5. The Thank You 

• Thank them profusely, but don’t act silly. 
• Follow-up the interview with a formal thank you by email or mail. 
• Keep in contact, with brief messages, maybe through LinkedIn. 
• This person is now a connection in your network.

Additional Resources
I also suggest you seek out additional information on informational interviews. This blog post addresses 5 things you should remember that are complimentary to the ones above.
To know more about the types of question check out the list here.
And to know what a Thank You Letter looks like check out this link.

You can also check out my other post of networking for student on the IABC Toronto Blog: Conversations.
What do you think about informational interviews? have you done any?

Stay tuned for more on my informational interviews.
P.S. Good luck with your own.

Step 2: Sharpen Your Pencils & Choose Postgraduate Studies

After choosing a career, and entering your final year of university, you may come across some other tough decisions. In the fall of my fourth year of undergrad, when I finally knew what I wanted to do with my life, I started sharing my thoughts with others who were interested to know more about the next step in my life. Something every upcoming or recent grad can tell you about.

I think people expected me to just enter the job market and they were more than willing to give me advice on how to do so. Little did they know that in the back of my mind I was completely unsure about that dive head first approach. I remember feeling anxious and sometimes so nervous I would get nauseous and overwhelmed when people even brought the future up, despite that, few people knew this. I had to ponder why I would have these negative feelings, and I realized it was because I wasn’t ready for the next step. The thought of working full-time was unappealing, and I wanted to continue being a student.

Maybe at first it was for silly reasons. I didn’t want to let go of the student life. During this semester I developed “graduation glasses” (think How I Met Your Mother) and I started feeling sentimental about everything Western (UWO) and London, I even started getting teary-eyed at the thought of not having to walk in the pouring rain across campus or having to take the LTC as my method of transportation. These unpleasant instances became treasures to me that I didn’t want to let go of. I was not ready to let go.

That all changed after my first two days of classes in second semester when something inside me imploded and I realized, “I am over it!” I grew frustrated with my classes and motivation dwindled. I was ready to get this year done and over with so I could move on to the next step in my life. Thankfully at this point I had already made the decision to apply to postgraduate PR programs at the end of my first semester, another important decision for me!

I applied to PR programs at Western, McMaster and Mohawk. I remember the mixed reactions I got when I told people I was going to continue my education. Even to this day some people tell me I have too much education. “What? Is that even possible?” The answer is no; in my opinion you can never be over-educated, but that is another topic in itself. So my parents’ reaction was sort of agreeable, they figured in this day and age it was inevitable to continue education after education, after education.

After much deliberation in February 2012, I decided I would go to Mohawk College for my PR program. It came down to the idea of gaining employable skills; and everyone knows that colleges are known for teaching skills more than theory. I was ready to move away from theory and the huge and pricey textbooks that lead to endless nights of readings and memorization.

I think people were confused by my decision and a lot of the responses I got were that I was “going backwards”. In my mind, with education you can never go backwards as long as you are using the education for a purpose and future goal. Not to mention post-graduate programs often build on the knowledge you gained in your university degree. After months I finally managed to convince my mom of this, and I became excited to start this chapter in my life. Back to Hamilton for a year, and back to school. Sometimes, when you are not ready to tackle the world, school is there to pick you up off the ground and give your life new direction.

Mohawk has a PR blog as well, where you can check out what me and my classmates are blogging about regards to the program.

P.S. I am a nerd, so I love school and I love PR.