Having worked in public relations (P.R.) in the same city for over two decades, I have plenty of experience to share. I’ve spent time in various press offices around town, in a variety of sectors, including government, politics and media. I love what I do so much that I started my own firm here 12 years ago. I guess that’s why I’m frequently called to give advice.
Requests for informational interviews come in all forms: Recent grads who just moved to here looking for a job, college students debating a career in public relations, senior professionals deciding whether to go out on their own as a consultant, and job seekers too. Especially job seekers.
I remember what it was like first moving to a new town — it’s hard, it’s confusing, and everyone says you’ll find a job from your network. I know why people contact me and I genuinely want to be helpful (in fact, I average one informational meeting each week). So in the spirit of being helpful, here are six suggestions on how to get the most out of an informational interview and best use the wisdom of someone who’s taken the time out of their busy schedule to meet with you.
1. What’s Your Goal?
The first question I always ask someone is: So what can I help you with? If you asked for the meeting, you should have a good, substantive answer. Do you want to learn about my career path? Do you want to know more about how to do P.R. in D.C.? Do you want feedback on your résumé? Use this informational interview to do exactly that: Interview me to gather information.
2. Be Presentable
If you’re looking for career advice or networking for a job, prove that you belong in the workforce. It seems like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how often people come dressed casually and not prepared. You should arrive on time, if not a few minutes early. And dress professionally too — you don’t know what type of office you’re showing up to.
Yes, many places are casual these days, but people in Washington, D.C. tend to be more formal because the U.S. Capitol and government agencies have a stricter dress code. The more you can show that you’ve made an effort to present your best self, the more likely you are to leave the interview having left a good first impression.
3. Bring a Résumé
Yes, you might have sent me an email with your résumé when you requested a meeting, but I get hundreds of emails every day. I often look at résumés but don’t have them memorized — I need a refresher. Always bring a copy of your résumé with you to show you are one step ahead, and most important, make sure it’s free of any typos.
In my opinion, it doesn’t matter if it’s printed on fancy paper, so long as the actual content is in presentable shape. I often take notes on the résumé, which then sits on my desk for a while. You will be top of mind if I see a relevant job posting that might come my way.
4. Come Prepared
With one Google search you can find out almost anything about anyone. What is my firm all about? What is my background? You already know these answers, so how can I actually be helpful?
A better question to ask is, What do I look for in a candidate? What is the interview process like at your agency? Do you mind looking at my résumé and giving me feedback?
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve met with people and asked what I could do to help and they said they just wanted to meet me. That is very nice (and sounds flattering), but I know that you must want to get something out of the meeting — and I want to use my time wisely.
5. Write a Thank-You Note
I’m not looking for the next best seller — I just want a simple thank-you email or handwritten note. (Bonus points for the latter!)
6. Follow-up
Let me know what happened to you. Did you get a job? An internship? Decide not to pursue P.R. after all? Finding success in Washington and other cities often revolves around who you know. Future jobs and opportunities are all about connections, so it will only benefit you in the long run to keep in touch with someone you met. And maybe, just maybe, one day you’ll be the one paying it forward and I’ll be the one requesting an informational interview with you.
