4.2. Information Interviews

Quick Link 1. Welcome 2. Introduction to career planning 3. Assess yourself (define your product) 4. Conduct market research and target your market 4.1 Networking 4.2 Information interviews 4.3 Job descriptions 4.4 Company presentations 4.5 Researching 4.6 Set preliminary goals 5. Develop and implement your marketing plan 6. Interviewing 7. Discussing compensation 8. Evaluating job offers 9. On-campus recruiting program 10. The summer internship 11. Taxes, visas and other legal information

The best way to learn about and understand something is to do it. In exploring career options, however, this approach is impractical. There are too many options for you to sample them all first-hand. The next best approach is to talk with people currently active in an industry or job you think would suit you. Such explorations are usually called information interviews.

4.2.1. What they involve

The information interview is just that. It should be handled delicately and should not be a subterfuge for trying to obtain a position. When utilized professionally and honestly it its one of the most useful elements of your job search. Information interviews differ from employment interviews in significant ways. Employment interviews require the parties to evaluate each other and make decisions based on their evaluations. During information interviews two people exchange information so that one of them can learn. Usually both parties are more relaxed and candid during information interviews than during employment interviews.

The topics listed below are appropriate for information interviews with fellow students, alumni, friends, business associates, and others. Prepare for these conversations by reading as much as you can about the field, job, or company you want to discuss, then deciding what questions you most want answered.