Tips for Information Interviewers - Work-Life Balance Articles

Tips for Information Interviewers
By Sharon Teitelbaum, MA, MCC, Sharon@stcoach.com

Whether or not the US economic "recovery" is actually about jobs, many more people are hiring me to help them navigate a full career change than in the last several years. Typically, this process involves identifying potential "next careers" through a variety of methods, and then seriously exploring them. Information interviews are a great way to do this, but many career seekers are reluctant; hence these suggestions.

Not sure what to ask the professional who's granted you an information interview? Here are some ideas to help you get the most out of your meeting.

• I understand the big picture of what you do. But day to day, what do you really do?
• Whats a good day like?
• What's a bad day like?
• What keeps you up at night?
• What do you wish you had known before getting into this?
• What's the best thing about this job?
• What aspects of you (or skills) are growing in this job?
• What would make me more marketable for the position of . . .
• What would make me more marketable generally to an organization like yours?
• What other questions should I be asking you?
• Can you suggest other people I should talk to?
• Would you be willing to introduce me to them?

Is your career off-track in some way? Contact me for an initial consultation at no charge.

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Copyright 2002-2008, by Sharon Teitelbaum, all rights reserved.

For permission to reprint this article or to use it for anything other than your own personal use, contact me.