| One of the many, many fantastic applications of | | | | pressed for time, they might offer to answer questions |
| LinkedIn is that you can use it to land informational | | | | by email-which you should definitely follow through on. |
| interviews. Informational interviews are just what they | | | | Also, you can join groups and participate in discussions, |
| sound like: they are interviews that you conduct to | | | | and post your questions there. This can be an |
| gather information, usually about a job or a career field | | | | especially effective tactic for entry-level job seekers. |
| you're interested in. They last 20-30 minutes, and give | | | | I've seen some really great LinkedIn discussions |
| you an opportunity to get answers about what a | | | | packed with valuable information for job seekers. |
| typical day is like, what the person likes or dislikes | | | | LinkedIn pages are tremendous sources of information |
| about the field, and what it takes to be successful. You | | | | on people you'd like to interview and companies you're |
| can also use it as a mentoring session and ask for | | | | interested in. Once you've set up your interview, use |
| their advice on your situation and your best career/job | | | | LinkedIn to prepare for it just as thoroughly as you |
| search moves. Research tips for informational | | | | would for a job interview. Get all your ducks in a row |
| interviews to help you compile your list of questions. | | | | so that you don't waste that person's time by asking |
| Informational interviews are strictly for you to get the | | | | questions you can look up the answers to. Coming to |
| "inside scoop" from someone who knows, and they | | | | the interview prepared with background knowledge |
| help you to expand your network. (FYI: If you're lucky, | | | | and intelligent questions leaves them with a great |
| you might get a job lead, but it's bad form to go into | | | | impression of you as a confident, competent go-getter |
| the interview expecting this person to help you get a | | | | they will remember (in case they run across a job |
| job.) | | | | opportunity for you later). |
| But how do you go about setting up an informational | | | | After the interview, remember to send a thank you |
| interview if you can't do it through your current | | | | letter. If you can, include a relevant article or a solution |
| contacts? | | | | to a company problem-something helpful to them. |
| Use LinkedIn. Once you create a profile, you can make | | | | Then, include them in your network by routinely |
| connections and introduce yourself to people on | | | | contacting them every few months. A successful |
| LinkedIn, and then ask them directly for an informational | | | | informational interview gains you valuable information |
| interview. Most people are flattered to be asked, and | | | | and an expanded professional network-and who |
| won't mind talking to you for 20 minutes. If they're really | | | | knows where that might lead? |