Management Tip of the Day: Explore a New Career with an Informational Interview

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   TIPS   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile AUGUST 9, 2012 Explore a New Career with an Informational Interview If you're contemplating a career change, it can be hard to know how happy you'll be in a new position or industry. Find out more about your next move by finding three to five people who are doing the kind of work you're interested in. Contact them to set up informational interviews. If you don't know anyone, find people through colleagues or social media. Don't feel timid about contacting someone. People are usually flattered when you ask for their opinions, and most enjoy talking about what they do. You can always offer to take the contact to lunch to sweeten the pot. Before the meeting, prepare a list of questions you'd like to ask the interviewee. These may range from "What do you like most about your work?" to "What's an average day like for you?" to "What does someone have to do to get ahead in your field?" Today's Management Tip was adapted from the Harvard ManageMentor Online Module: Career Management. Buy the course and take charge of your career: » Share Today's Tip: FEATURED PRODUCT Yes to the Mess: Surprising Leadership Lessons from Jazz HBR Press Book What can Duke Ellington and Miles Davis teach us about leadership? Learn how the improvisational "jazz mind-set" and the skills that go along with it are essential for effective leadership today. With fascinating stories of the insights and innovations from the jazz world, author Frank Barrett introduces a new model for leading and collaborating in organizations that can help anyone who leads teams or works with them. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS Reveal Your Intentions to Build Trust Motivate Your Problem Employee Introverts Can Still Innovate Give Your Organization a Marketing Makeover Create an Office Space that Encourages Teamwork Get the Most From Your Star Salespeople Get Your Boss to Say Yes Get Unstuck When Innovating Choose the Right Leadership Approach Set Ground Rules for Your Global Team All Previous Tips BEST SELLERS HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR's Must Reads Library Set Guide to Persuasive Presentations Guide to Better Business Writing Guide to Getting the Right Work Done Introducing HBR's Morning Advantage The Harvard Business Review Morning Advantage delivers the latest business ideas from beyond HBR.org directly to your inbox every morning — and it is free! Sign up today >> UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. OPT OUT If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2012 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)