The Informational
Interview
Presented by
Jason Barquero
Assistant Director of Drucker Career Services
INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW?
“An informational interview is a one-on-one
conversation with someone who has a job
you might like, who works within an industry
you might want to enter, or who is employed
by a specific company that you're interested
in learning about.”
http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2012/07/26/w
hat-is-an-informational-interview-anyway
WHO SHOULD YOU
INTERVIEW?
HOW TO CONTACT?
5 Point Email
It is an email written using five key points as
guidelines:
1) Fewer than 100 words
2) No mention of jobs anywhere!
3) Connection goes first
4) Generalize your interest
5) Maintain control of follow-up
SUBJECT: Drucker MBA student
seeking your advice
Dear Mr. Jones,
My name is Peter Smith, and I am a first- year Drucker MBA student who
found your information in the Drucker alumni database. May I have 20
minutes to ask you about your experience with IBM? I am trying to learn
more about marketing careers in technology companies in California, and
your insights would be very helpful.
I recognize this may be a busy time for you, so if we are unable to
connect by email I’ll try to reach you next week to see whether that is
more convenient.
Thank you for your time,
Peter
SUBJECT: Drucker MBA checking
in to seek your advice
Dear Mr. Jones,
I’m sorry we were unable to connect in the last week, and I
wanted to see whether this is a better time to talk about your
experiences with IBM.
Please let me know if so, and thank you for your time.
Best Regards,
Peter
GOOD
INTERVIEWING
Following Up
 Thank you card
 Emails
 FOLLOW THROUGH
 If advice is given…. Take it.