Informational Interviews

The purpose of an informational interview is to get information that will help you in your job search. It is not an interview for a job. This process, if conducted skillfully, can be an incredible source for networking leads, knowledge and "inside information" on employer hiring criteria and decision making.

Your goal should be to research the employer and interviewing attorney and be armed with the right questions to determine if that employer is a good match with your individual strengths.

Note: The Official Guide to Legal Specialties provides an overview of 30 legal practice areas. It can be useful as a guide to determine an initial list of practice area or employer types you want to investigate.

Preparing

Identify individuals whom you would like to interview. There are a number of ways to do this. Martindale Hubbell and city bar directories have lists of attorneys by specialty. The OSU Alumni Directory has a listing of attorneys by state, city and practice specialty. Law professors frequently have a good alumni network. Friends and family can often introduce you to attorneys as well. Career services counselors can also help you identify individuals who may be willing to conduct informational interviews.

Call to or email the individual and request an informational interview. Make it clear that you only want an informational interview and are not seeking employment at this point. If you sense the individual whom you are contacting may not have time, ask if he or she might suggest someone else with whom you could conduct an informational interview. Indicate when you will be calling to explore the possibility of an interview.

Generally this type of meeting will run from 30 minutes to an hour in length. Interviews may take place in the workplace, over the phone, or at another location such as a coffee shop/restaurant. In any event, you should go prepared with a copy of your resume and a detailed list of questions. Be certain you know something about the interviewer, the organization and the area of practice before you go to the interview.

Asking the right questions will ultimately help you determine if that individual's job or career path is a good fit with your strengths, interests and credentials. Because of the limited amount of time in which you are able to ask questions, skillfully asked questions are essential. While this is not the time to ask for a job, a well-researched, well-prepared informational interview can certainly open doors for a job. This can be an opportunity to network, determine which qualities and skills are most relevant to an employer, and find out how an employer fills vacancies or how to effectively monitor job openings.

Informational Interview Tips

Call one day in advance to confirm your meeting date. Depending on the location of the informational interview, dress in a suit or business casual attire and arrive a minimum of 15 minutes early. If possible, observe the work environment. Are employees on a first name basis? Is there talking and laughter or silence in the halls? Do employees display personal items in their offices? You can learn a great deal about an organization's culture by what you see and hear prior to the actual informational interview. Keep in mind, employers may be sizing you up as well, so be professional.

Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake and begin the interview. Feel free to take notes and ask follow up questions. Remember that every person with whom you interact may have input in a hiring decision so keep the tone professional with everyone you meet. At the end of the interview, extend your thanks and offer to leave. If invited to stay, feel free to remain; the more time you have, the more you can learn.

At the end of the interview, ask for names of others with whom you might talk about the particular job or practice area. This will expand your network of people to interview and put you in touch with more potential employers. Write a thank you note within a day or two of the interview and keep in touch with those informational interviewers whom you wish to cultivate as mentors.

Follow Through

If the person you met has made a suggestion, indicate in your thank you note what you have done or will do to follow up on that suggestion. If resume revisions were suggested, include a revised resume. People are more likely to help those who take their advice seriously. Keep the person apprised of your job search every two or three months. If the person does not hear from you, he/she will assume you are employed. Knowing you are still looking allows the individual to let you know about current or future job openings.

Conclusion

If you are successful as an informational interviewer, you will have an overview of job duties and a clear sense of how well-suited the position is to your unique skills and abilities. In addition, you should know how an employer recruits and selects candidates. Finally, you should have a network of mentors who can assist in the job search. Knowledge is power in the job search and informational interviewing is a great tool for gaining understanding and connections.