Job Interviews vs. Informational Interviews

I had a conversation the other day where the subject of informational interviews came up. What surprised me most was that the person I was talking to (who had an upcoming informational interview) had the expectation that an informational interview would lead to a job interview. This made me think that it’s time to talk a little bit about what informational interviews are, and why a company might be willing to grant you one.



An informational interview is an interview made at your request with the goal of finding out more information about the company. This would be a one-on-one meeting with either HR or a functional manager where you can ask questions that you might not otherwise find the answers to.



Read that last sentence again and look for the two key words: ask questions.



An informational interview differs from a job interview in that it is your chance to ask questions and find out more about a company (and possibly its suitability as a potential employer). Showing up for an informational interview expecting to be asked questions or expecting to be interviewed for an opening is a surefire way to be shown the door.



This is not to say that the company won’t show interest in you. If you prepare, ask intelligent questions, and present well, then you may make a positive impression and be kept in mind for future openings. But this is not guaranteed nor should be expected.



One final note, my belief is that informational interviews are most successful if they happen when there is no job available. If you approach a company for an informational interview with the goal of getting in front of a recruiter to talk about an open position, it can be easy to see through. However, if you show a genuine interest in the company when there are no jobs "publicly" available, it will go along way to increasing your credibility.



So remember, an informational interview is not a job interview. It is your chance to judge the suitability of a company outside the application/interview process. Nothing more, nothing less.



Trevor Wilson is an author and consultant who works with new graduates preparing to enter the work force. His site, Gradversity.com, provides daily advice on job hunting, networking, and resume writing tailored to the Entry Level Job seeker. His first book, Overcoming Gradversity: How to Break Into the Entry Level Job Market, was published in 2008.