March 19, 2012
Career Tip of the Day: Schedule Informational Interviews to Get a Leg Up
For many job seekers and professionals looking to take their career to the next level, one’s first thought is to send out those resumes, wait for callbacks and ace the interviews.
But a great way to get on the radar and work smart when looking for new career opportunities is to take the time for informational interviews. It’s the perfect way to take networking to the next level, making your presence known and putting your career objectives on the table so that when there is an opening, you’ll be at top of mind.
The one-on-one advantages allow you to get to know more about the company as well as let them know more about you. Experts say the best way to do this is to contact a key person in your network to set up a quick meeting at their company or contact your dream company’s human resources department. You’d treat it just like a real interview process, but with less pressure and stress. Dress your best, package your brand well and come prepared to talk about why you want to work for the company. Ask questions and get a feel for the culture of the office. Get ahead of the game and set up a few in-office informational interviews today.