By: Tyler Saumur, ORT Times Science Writer
Do you know what you want to do after you finish your graduate training? If you are unsure, you are not alone. But whether you know the answer or not, at some point, you will have to decide.
This is where informational interviews can be extremely useful. But, how does one begin? This article collates useful tips before you start the process.
The first thing you should do is figure out who you want to talk to. Check whether your department keeps a list of alumni and their contact information; if not, ask if they have a list of jobs that alumni have pursued. Search LinkedIn, Indeed, and other websites to find companies or positions of interest.
Once you have identified who you want to talk to, reach out to them. Your initial contact should include: (1) a brief introduction of yourself, (2) why you are contacting the individual, and (3) expectations for a meeting. It might read something like this: “Hi, my name is Tyler and I am currently a third year PhD candidate in the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute at the University for Toronto. I am starting to explore different career opportunities and was wondering if you had a half hour over the next few weeks to meet in person or over the phone to talk about your career path.” Assuming it is not a busy time for the individual, quite often, they are more than happy to sit down and discuss their experiences and career trajectories.
Once you have scheduled the meeting, make sure you do some research. You should have a rough idea of the person’s educational background and work experience—if available to you—and a general understanding of what their company does and what their position is. While it might also sound silly, make sure you know how you want to introduce yourself, because more than likely, the first question they will ask is, “Tell me a little bit about yourself.” Ensure that your answer is relevant to the person that you are speaking with so they feel like they could put themselves in your shoes. Also, make sure you have a list of questions that highlight why you wanted to meet with them. Ideally, the interview will be more of an informal conversation where both of you will be asking and answering questions. During the interview, try and find a balance between taking notes and having an organic conversation. Typically, after I have interviewed, I will find a place nearby after and write down any additional items that I forgot to jot down while they are still fresh in my mind.
Always follow proper interview etiquette and send them an email afterwards thanking them for their time. You should keep in touch if you felt like the company was a good fit as you never know what could come of it down the road. Keep these tips in mind ahead of your next informational interview!