An Inside Look with Informational Interviews

An Inside Look with Informational InterviewsAn Inside Look with Informational InterviewsInformational bewerberinterviews are a great way to get the answers to questions you might have in your job search. Maybe you just graduated with a degree in finance, but youre not quite sure which area you want to work in. Or you already have an accounting job, but youre looking to forge a new career path. Chances are you have plenty of questions.Asking experienced professionals who have specialized expertise about their role and what it involves can give you real-world insights.It can also build relationships and open doors that could lead to a job. Eighty-four percent of CFOs in a recent Accountemps study said they were likely to alert someone who impressed them in an informational interview of new job openings.Read more about informational interviews in our survey of more than 2,200 CFOs, shown in the infographic, below.Here are some tips to help you with this classic networking tactic and ge t the most out of an informational interview.First, land the informational interviewBefore you approach anyone, research the fields and positions youre most interested in, and make a list of job titles and specific companies youd like to check out. Then reach out to your network - both online and off - to look for connections Maybe you have a LinkedIn contact who works in the field youre interested in, or perhaps your college roommates brother is employed at an organization you admire.Approach each contact separately dont send a mass email. Personalize your message to each potential interviewee and let them know why youd like to chat with them for 20 or 30 minutes. Finally, make it clear that youre not asking for a job, but rather that youre looking for information to help you decide what kind of job you want.Looking for a job? Accountemps can help you find a new opportunity.WORK WITH OUR RECRUITERSThen prepare your questionsUnlike a job interview, where you need to answer questio ns, youll need to prepare a list of questions for the informational interview. Avoid yes or no questions instead, go for those likely to lead to long, detailed responses, such as theseHow did you get your start in this career? Whats your favorite part of your job? Least favorite? What skills do you use the most? Whats a typical day like? Are any trends emerging that you think might affect your job and/or the industry? If you could go back and give yourself a piece of advice on your first day at your job, what would it be?Also, try to include a few customized questions based on the company research you did on the professionals company and position. For example, you might ask about a recent project, a high-profile client or conferences that have been especially useful.Consider details, such as your wardrobeFollow the same basic rules for informational interviews as you would for job interviews Dress professionally and conservatively, arrive early, and be sure to maintain eye contact w hen others are speaking to you.And finally, dont forget to follow upAfter the meeting, follow up with a thank-you note, and connect with the person on your social networks if you havent already.Then pat yourself on the back for completing this fact-finding, relationship-building mission. Its not always easy to put yourself out there - but you never know where your efforts will lead you.