Information interviewing
Get an insider's view of what the job is all about
Getting someone to agree to be interviewed can help you gain a real understanding of the work, obtain vacancy information and gain work experience.
How to do it
1. Write (and enclose your CV) or telephone your contact and ask if you can meet.
2. Talk to them about their work. You might want to ask
- how they got into this kind of work
- their background and training
- the content of their work - you could ask them to describe a typical day
- how they find their work - the satisfactions and frustrations
- their plans for the future, this will give you some idea about progression
- any advice they can offer you.
You could also ask
- about new staff recruited to their organisation, their backgrounds and skills, and how vacancies are filled
- if they can introduce you to other contacts, in their organisation or another, that you could talk to.
If you want to undertake work shadowing (i.e. observing someone at work), or a period of work experience, ask if it’s possible at this point.
3. Always write and thank your contact, ensure that they have a copy of your CV, and ask them to keep you in mind should any opportunities arise.