Skillfully used, an informational interview is one of the most valuable sources of information about jobs, careers, and companies. While it may cover some of the same ground as the information on a company website, an informational interview presents opportunities for an intimate and flexible inside view of a company - directly from someone who works there.
Erik Sorenson, CEO of Vault.com, the career services website, explains: "In an employer's market, it is that much harder to reach the interview stage, but executives are open to meeting with professionals on an informal, 'informational' basis. You're not going to walk in and get a job, but an informal meeting can supply you with tips for your resume and job search, valuable interview experience, and at best, an opportunity to impress someone who will remember you when a job does become available - or recommend you to someone else."
Here's more on interviewing for information and how informational interviews can boost your job search.
Related: Questions to Ask During an Informational Interview
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