Informational Interviews: What You Need To Find Out

Posted on 23. Nov, 2009 by Emmanuelle Archer in Blog, Expat Life, Working Abroad
1 comment

After reading about informational interviews in last week’s post, a reader enquired about what questions to ask during these interviews. Aren’t they a tool that young graduates use to find out about possible careers? How do you use them when you’ve already been working in the field for years?

Great question. You need to keep in mind that you may have plenty of professional experience, but as a foreigner, you don’t have much experience with the culture. So here’s what I would recommend you find out, going from the general to the more specific:

Local work culture

- Find out about cultural differences that will impact the way you work. How rigid is the hierarchy? How much initiative will you be expected to take, and how appropriate is it to express your own opinions? How important is it to be well-liked, in addition to doing a good job?

- You cannot expect your advisor to be a cross-cultural expert, so you have to come prepared with questions. Here’s a tip: if you’ve noticed or read about something that seemed “different” or “strange” to you, enquire about it. Ex: if everyone calls the boss Dr. So-and-so, and you were used to calling yours Jim, ask about that.

- Remember, you’re not interviewing for a job – so don’t worry about “blowing it”. This is your chance to ask candid questions. You’re not here to impress anyone with how much you know, you’re here to get as much relevant information as possible.

How to improve your success rate

- Where do you find the jobs that are of interest to you? Are they posted in job banks and classifieds, or only found via headhunting and word of mouth? Who would be a good person to talk to about this?

- What is the best way to apply for jobs? Online or by mail? Should your cover letter be handwritten or typewritten? When is it appropriate to follow-up? I know you may feel like you already have the answers, but please, take the time to double-check. Don’t trust job-search sites or books on resume writing – their advice is too general and often obsolete.

- Instead of asking what employers look for (which will only get you canned answers), ask what will get your resume thrown away: having the wrong degree, sounding too formal or too casual, etc. A word of warning: in some cultures, being a single woman, or having a foreign-sounding name, means that you simply will not be considered for managerial positions. Ask that question too, even if it makes you cringe, and be prepared to read between the lines.

Trends and realities in your field

Now it’s time to find out specific information about your desired line of work and the type of job you could be doing.

- What opportunities and challenges is your field up against? It’s not just about the economy and the number of positions available. New government regulations, or a sudden influx of new graduates on the job market, can also have a major impact on your job search.

- What are some job titles that correspond to your background and experience level? Conversely, what do the job titles you see in ads really mean? Some countries are fond of overinflated titles, especially for administrative or service jobs – the sooner you find out, the less time you’ll waste applying for the wrong jobs.

- How this particular company works, if you’re interested in it. Once again, you’re not here to ask for a job, but if the company makes a positive impression on you, don’t forget to mention it. It cannot hurt either way.

A few more tips

- Remember to ask open-ended questions – you’ll glean more information that way than by asking yes / no questions.

- Focus on what your advisor is saying instead of thinking of your next question – it’s only polite, and you’ll get more out of the interview that way. For the same reason, I would keep note-taking to a minimum. Let the conversation flow naturally, and only take notes if, say, your advisor refers you to another person and gives you their contact details.

- In addition to a thank-you note after the interview, update your advisor from time to time on the contacts and progress you’ve been making. Everyone enjoys knowing that their advice was helpful, and you’ll set yourself apart as someone who does follow up and take action. If your informational interview was conducted over the phone – and only if it’s culturally appropriate – taking your advisor out for lunch or coffee would be a nice gesture.

Was this post helpful? Do you need more personalized job search advice? Contact me to schedule a one-on-one consultation.

Emmanuelle

Images by Wetherilt (top) and Mezzoblue (bottom), all via Flickr Creative Commons