Informational interviews can be a tremendous tool to both build your network and advance your job search.  They can help you establish connections and build relationships, and they are a source of the kind of inside information on the company that you can use in your job hunt.   If you happen to be job searching for an extended length of time, they are one more way for you to work your network and help keep you sharp.  However, they have to be handled with a little finesse.  The line can seem a little blurry between an informational interview and a job interview, but it is definitely there, and it's very important that you respect it. 

I found a really informative post on How to Shine In an Informational Interview that I think you should see, but there are a few key points from it that I want to highlight:

Finding Contacts

Ask friends, relatives, coworkers, and everyone in your professional network for an appropriate contact.  LinkedIn is another great place to make connections and find a contact willing to meet with you.  Offer to treat them to a cup of coffee or lunch.  No meeting should last longer than 15-30 minutes.  Caution:  if you ask for the meeting and you get a "Sorry, I can't meet with you, but you can email me your questions," then email a few questions.  You can leave a very bad impression if you just drop the communication because they can't meet with you in person. 

Preparation is Key

Even though the informational interview is informal, you still have to prepare as though you were going to a job interview.  Research the individual as well as the organization.  Being well prepared shows respect for the time of the person you're interviewing.  The more you know ahead of time, the more likely you are to get to information that can really help you.  Don't ask about what you can Google.  Ask about what issues the company faces and where the company is going.  Ask about what skills, competencies, traits and characteristics are valued in the company.  Research other good questions to ask in an informational interview.

Follow Up

You absolutely must follow up your informational interview with a thank you note.  But then, you can go one step farther:  use the information you've gathered to make an impression.  Showcase your talents by sending the person you interviewed relevant articles, research, or solutions you've come up with to address a company problem.  You're not asking for anything, but you're presenting yourself as a problem-solver (and someone they might like to have on their team).   Keep the contact current by emailing every few months (see my post on easy networking tips).  If there's ever a position they need to fill, you've just increased your odds of getting it.

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