Getting the Skinny!

You're considering a change in the direction of your career. Maybe you haven't quite figured out "what you want to be when you grow up." Or, you know what you want to do, but you're not sure what sort of position will allow you to do what you love while still getting paid enough to live a comfortable life. Maybe you are considering a shift onto the management track. Perhaps you're bored and looking for that next new challenge. Whatever your reasons or direction, getting the "skinny" (insider information) to help clarify options in today's marketplace is not just desirable, it's essential. This is where the informational interview can become an invaluable tool.

In my experience, few people are happy in their careers purely by accident. Most of us are drawn to a particular career through necessity, desire, or passion. In the case of necessity, it's usually about keeping body and soul together in order to live — putting food on the table, keeping a roof over your head, paying your bills - in other words, survival. Your job may be all that stands between living on the streets, and being able to cover the basics of life (with a little left over for a small luxury now and then). You may or may not like your job, but you endure it in order to meet your need(s).

Then there's the job that supports one or more particular desire(s) — wealth and financial independence, notoriety and public recognition, power, prestige, the list goes on and on. As with the case of jobs held as a matter of necessity, jobs focused on satisfying a strong personal or collective desire become a means to an end. Your job serves a purpose and you are likely operating with one or more specific goal(s) in mind.

Finally, come the jobs that reflect our passion(s). Such jobs satisfy something deep inside us. We hear individuals talk about their "life's work," or about work so great they "spring out of bed each morning," i.e., they can't wait to get started each day. You can lay odds their job involves a personal passion for what they either "get" to do, or are personally "driven" to do. You could end up as wealthy as Croesus or as poor as a church mouse, but the primary point is that you are doing something you either love, or can't help but pursue.

Generally, the work we choose to pursue reflects a combination of these driving factors. In the final analysis, you decide what sort of job "floats your boat." If you are uncertain about what you want to do, or about whether or not a particular job, career, or industry is right for you, the informational interview can help you unearth the pros and cons that will make your career transition less daunting.

Being a long-time Girl Scout, I strongly subscribe to their motto: "Be prepared!" Jumping into informational interviews without laying a proper foundation for yourself is like jumping into river rapids without a kayak or canoe and a good paddle…you will eventually arrive at your destination down river, but the trip itself may leave you bruised, battered, and in no condition to enjoy it.

No successful interviewer or journalist goes into an interview unprepared — neither should you. Lack of preparation will severely limit your chances for success. It is imperative that you be clear about the exact nature of the information you seek, and why you want it in the first place. This keeps you focused, and helps the person being interviewed justify investing their time in your effort. It also helps them decide how to best assist you.

To avoid the overwhelm created by the pursuit of too many paths of investigation, invest some time up front laying out your job satisfaction criteria. Once known, these criteria set the stage for what sort of informational interview(s) are warranted. Yes, you've guessed it, there are different kinds of informational interview and you'll ultimately want to choose the sort(s) that best fulfill(s&341; your investigative needs.

Informational interviews come in a variety of flavors and formats based upon the interviewer's need and intent. For instance, are you looking for strategic or tactical guidance about career development, an opportunity to brainstorm options with a knowledgeable source, or simply seeking an information dump about a particular topic? You'll also want to decide whether to conduct your informational interview using a formal or informal format.

The interview could be conducted in person, via phone or videoconference call, via an Internet blog or chat room, or through an e-mail exchange. It may involve a single person or numerous individuals at the same time. In short, the classic "call someone, make an appointment, and then sit down for a face-to-face chat" approach is not the only way to pursue an informational interview these days. You have lots of options available to you. Be careful to choose the right option based upon factors such as level of privacy desired, distance, availability of your source, etc.

Remember also that the quality of information you receive may depend upon who and how many people you consult. I always encourage my clients to consult more than one source — no matter how "expert" that source may be. When checking with sources previously unknown to you, you may be called upon to step outside your comfort zone, but the results are usually worth the extra effort. Also consider interviewing people at varying levels of responsibility to acquire a broad-spectrum picture of expectations and responsibilities.

When requesting an informational interview, consult the most knowledgeable resource available. Find resources through the media, the internet, professional organizations, or a trusted friend or associate. A targeted resource's credentials may give you a clue as to their knowledge and expertise, but actual experience and a successful track record are more important. Always research a targeted resource in advance of arranging your interview.

Approach each targeted resource in a respectful manner — be creative, but not intrusive or obnoxious. Seek an introduction through a mutual contact. If that's not possible, take a chance and call or e-mail the targeted resource — whether or not they respond is always their choice.

Start with a simple sincere request for a brief conversation. Be specific and succinct concerning the information you are seeking, the level of detail desired, and why you need the information. Keep in mind the basic tenets of building rapport before making your request (i.e., be friendly, polite, knowledgeable, and try to establish some common basis for communication), but don't beat around the bush. Get to the point of your request as quickly and clearly as possible. This shows respect for the value of their time and yours.

Remember that anyone granting you an informational interview is doing you a favor. Therefore, you may need to be flexible regarding the style, venue, and timeframe for your interview. In essence, it is in your best interest to accommodate the needs of the individual or group you wish to interview. The more comfortable they are with the time, format, and venue, the more forthcoming they are likely to be.

Patience and persistence are also important. Most of the people you want to consult are busy people, so be prepared to wait for a time of their convenience. However, it is also true that busy people sometimes lose track of their commitments or of requests made to them. So, if your request for an informational interview is not immediately answered, be polite but persistent with your requests; avoid making assumptions regarding their lack of response.

Conducting informational interviews is a skill. Therefore, to become adept at ferreting out the information your desire, you need to practice. Your success is dependent on asking the right questions of the right person in the right context. So, try interviewing lots of different people — from different walks of life and different levels of management — people who possess different personalities.

Remember: You will have greater success at interviewing if you lay a firm foundation comprised of clear job satisfaction criteria and research about your targeted resource(s). Interviewing requires both skill and creativity, but anyone can become a competent practitioner if willing to put in the effort.

© 2007 Yvonne T. Ryan. All Rights Reserved.

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