\par Job Search Tool Kit: The Informational Interview \par

Perhaps you’re a 1L trying to figure out how to start making connections with attorneys. Perhaps you’re a 3L or recent graduate still looking for that full-time job. Whether you’re in one of those two camps or somewhere in between, a powerful tool in your job search arsenal should be to go on “informational interviews.”\par \par What is an informational interview? Very simply, an informational interview is an informal conversation between a prospective job candidate and an employer, when the purpose of the encounter is not to interview for a specific job currently available.\par \par So what is the objective? Here are several: 1) get to know the person you’re visiting with and begin a long-term relationship, 2) learn about the employer’s culture (i.e. what is it like to work there?), 3) learn about the practice area more generally, and 4) solicit advice about how to position yourself for a position with that employer or in the practice/geographical area.\par \par How do you go about initiating an informational interview? Don’t make it any harder than it is! Simply asking someone to coffee/lunch and for career advice is the easiest way to get started. Most attorneys are more than happy to spend a few minutes with you. Do keep in mind, however, that every minute they are with you is one they aren’t billing, so be respectful, thankful and mindful of how much time you spend with them.\par \par What’s the biggest difference between an informational interview and a real job interview? Aside for what I’ve already said, the biggest difference might be in the division of who asks the questions. In a real job interview the employer will often ask the large majority of the questions, saving a couple of minutes for you the candidate to ask your questions. In an informational interview, you’re going to be asking the questions. You might even ask all the questions! So certainly that will alter your preparation somewhat, and you need to have a slate of questions, in priority order, ready to go.\par \par Similarities between real and informational interviews include: 1) professional dress, 2) be slightly early/on-time, 3) bring copies of your resume (either to ask their advice on the look of your resume, or just in case they ask you for it), 4) prepare a large majority of your questions around substance (e.g. culture, practice areas) and not process (e.g. application deadlines, hiring criteria), and 5) (perhaps most important) demonstrate genuine interest in the person/employer.\par \par Remember that you’re not looking for a job from this person at this time (though it’s not unheard of to wind up with a job which began with an informational interview). You want to build your network of people in the field who you can go to for advice and who will eventually be an advocate for you either within their own organization or another. \par \par Finally, to take full advantage of the informational interview, it’s absolutely critical to follow up with the person and remain in contact. You can’t do one information interview as a 1L, and then call the person back up after graduation and say, “Remember me!” It doesn’t work that way. \par \par Informational interviews are another great tool you can use in your job search strategy, so I strongly encourage you to add them to your list no matter where you are in the law school / job search timeline. Please let Angela or me know how we can help you.\par \par Connect with Daniel at Daniel_Hare@Baylor.edu and/or @BaylorLawDaniel on Twitter.\par \par Job of the Week: Each week I highlight a job in Symplicity you might be interested in but may have missed. This week's job is: Real Estate Counsel at Embree Asset Group in Georgetown(3L, alumni) Log in to Symplicity to view this job and apply. \par ]]>\par