Let’s face it: Nobody particularly enjoys job interviews. Aside from nerves and worrying about making a good impression in front of a prospective employer, it can also often feel more like an interrogation than a conversation. After the harsh line of questioning is over (phew!), you might also walk out feeling that you haven’t been able to suss out the industry or work environment properly, and could potentially be signing up for a role or company that doesn’t align with your career objectives and values.
This is why informational interviews are becoming an increasingly popular first step among young professionals and those wanting to change the course of their careers. Unlike formal interviews — where candidates apply for a particular position within a company and focus the discussion on the role in question while trying to highlight why they would be a good fit — an informational interview gives job seekers an opportunity to have a more honest and relaxed conversation with industry professionals so that they can get a better idea if they are on the right track career-wise, and whether their chosen industry is a good match for them.
So now you’ve made the call and set up your informational interview — great! But how do you make sure you get the most out of it? Here are five questions to ask that will give you some much-needed insight into your area of interest.
What are the main, day-to-day elements of your job?
You might think that a job title tells you everything you need to know about a particular role. But this is exactly why
chatting to someone who holds that position can be so enlightening. A role that might sound exciting and within your realm of expertise could, in actuality, be dull and an inappropriate match for your skillset, so hearing the ins and outs of the job can help you make more informed decisions.
What skills are a must-have for people interested in this role?
Naturally, certain jobs require that applicants and employees have a certain set of skills that would make them the ideal candidate for a particular position. If you are looking to upskill yourself to make sure that your knowledge acquisition aligns with the
position you hope to land, and you can find out what sort of skills are desirable during your informational interview.
What do they like most, and least, about their job?
While this question doesn’t often come up in conventional interviews, this is a great question to ask in the more honest and informal meeting. Finding out the high- and lowlights of a role you have always lusted after from someone who holds that position can be a real eye-opener, and help you make up your own mind on whether the good outweighs the bad.
What type of person do you think would excel in this role?
There are a lot of different types of people in this world, with some being more suited to certain roles than others. If you are an introvert but the job you have your heart set on requires plenty of face time with clients you could be in for some disappointment. Perhaps you love engaging with people but find out that the job would entail a lot of alone time where you are bound to your desk, you might want to reconsider your options.
How can I prepare myself for this role?
Whether this is about taking a course to upskill yourself, doing an internship, or finding an industry mentor, it’s important
to find out what you can do that would make you the perfect candidate for your chosen position. Getting this takeaway from your informational interview can put you ahead of the pack: you now know what you need to do so that you can stand out from the crowd and land your dream job.
Words: Helen Wallace | Photography: Courtesy Images
