Top 5 Reasons Why Informational Interviews Are Key

The Importance of Informational Interviews

Written by: Mic Tjahjadi

Applying for jobs these days has become quite extensive the past few years. With time being taken up by writing resumes, filling out forms and sifting through different prospective employment why would someone want to add a whole other layer of work that technically does not have to happen? 'You're telling me I should just go out and interview an employer? I thought that was their job!' Well check out these top 5 reasons on why you should look into informational interviews.

1. Taking the initiative and control over your employment. Informational interviews shows that you will take the steps necessary to learn and get through any undesirable situation you or even a company may come into.
2. Finding out more about the company. Interviews may be a good way for an employer to see if you are a good fit for the company but it's also always important to take note that this is a very good time to see if the company is a good fit for you. Ask for an interview at their offices, talk to the secretary as you wait, ask about the company culture and really see if you can picture yourself being a part of that team.
3. Networking. The people you will be interviewing should be people that you look up to. By getting to know people in the industry you will then have that contact in your back-pocket. Find out how they got to where they are, ask them how they like their positions now and finally find out what the regular pathway of hierarchy in the company is. This will show you where you may even end up in the next few years as a newly employed professional.
4. Inside Man. This is a great way to find out if there is anything in the pipeline. When a job posting is put out to the public there are thousands and thousands of people who are probably seeing that posting just as you are. The larger the pool the less probability for you to get the job. Now with an informational interview you can find out where a company is moving towards and whether or not there are any new opportunities for employment presently or in the near future.
5. Facetime. One of the most important things about informational interviews is the exposure you have within the industry. By coming to a company office or meeting with a known management figure in public you are aligning yourself with the particular industry that you want to eventually end up in. Beyond that, more people within the industry will know you or at least recognize your face. It's easy to forget a random resume that comes to your office but it's a lot harder to forget a face who have been in constant contact with you and even took the time to come speak with you.