Informational Interviews: A Great Way to Learn | JobSearchTV.com
By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter
Do Informational Interviews to Learn About a Career or Company.
An informational interview is an excellent way to learn more about a specific career path or company. It is also a low-pressure, low-risk opportunity to ask questions and gain insight. However, it is important to understand that you should research thoroughly before requesting information. Here are some tips for 
preparing for an informational interview. As a pre-requisite, learn industry terms and trends. Also, research the company’s reputation, culture, history, and future plans. Finally, be sure to have a list of questions prepared beforehand.
Before conducting an informational interview, make sure to think carefully about the career you’d like to pursue. Consider your educational background, skills, and values before determining what career path to choose. You may be interested in a high-powered, demanding career, but may also be important to you to balance your personal life and professional life. If you’re unsure, you can also tailor your questions based on your research.
Informational interviews can reveal the truth about the career you’re interested in, and they can also help you learn about your job or field as well as upskilling requirements. Furthermore, they can expand your professional network. Many people receive job offers as a result of informational interviews. However, it’s important to know that this kind of interview doesn’t guarantee a job offer, so it’s important to prepare thoroughly.
Generally, informational interviews are informal conversations with people in a field. It’s best to do them after doing some preliminary online research. They are not actual job interviews; they’re designed to gain firsthand information about a career area. They’re also an excellent way to decide if you’d like the field and how to get your first role in it.
If you’re looking for a career, considering a new career, or are interested in working for a specific firm in a particular role, informational interviews are a great way to get some real-life experience from people already in the field or doing the type of work you’re interested in or working for the particular company you want to work for. Not only can these interviews provide valuable insights, but they can also help you grow your professional network.
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ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER
Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter is a coach who worked as a recruiter for what seems like one hundred years. His work involves career coaching, as well as executive job search coaching, job coaching, and interview coaching. He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 2300 episodes.
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