Leaving the Military Soon? Employ This Little-Known Networking Tool to Tap Into the Hidden Job Market

As I sit here in my home office, I am seriously trying to recall whether this networking tool was discussed in my TAP workshop.  Honestly, I don't think it was.  Shame really, because, when I discovered the power of this tool, it increased my chances of "success after the uniform.”  At this point, you're probably wondering what I'm talking about.  So, here it is: I'm talking about informational interviews. 

What exactly is an informational interview?  If you are at the point of leaving the military within the next 6 to 12 months, you have probably either started preparing for job interviews or maybe you've already gone on an actual interview. Now it’s time to learn about the informational interview.  It can be just the thing that gets your transition moving forward faster! 

I stumbled on this little nugget before leaving the military and employed it to gain some information about a few military endeavors I had before leaving active duty.  Basically, it is an informal conversation between you and someone who has first-hand details about something of interest to you.  What would this look like in terms of transitioning from the military? Basically, you would meet, informally, with someone that is working for a company or in an industry that can give you information you might not know otherwise.  Effectively, it is a research method. In this case, your version of Google, is the person with whom you meet. 

Let me give an example using a fictional situation at RallyPoint:

Let's say you have a marketing degree and maybe some marketing experience from before joining the military.  Now, you are about 2 or 3 months out from leaving the military and you notice that RallyPoint is hiring for marketing jobs.  Because you have done a little research or read this blog (wink, wink), you decide to reach out to someone who is already working for RallyPoint in this capacity.  You send a friendly direct message asking to set aside some time to talk on the phone because he or she is not in your local area.  In that message, you inform the person that you just want to gather information about the job and RallyPoint.  He or she happily accepts your invitation to speak and, just like that, you have arranged an informational interview! You make a list of things to discuss with this walking, talking, book of knowledge such as:

• What type of questions does the hiring manager ask during the job interview?
• What do you do on a day-to-day basis?
• How is the work environment?
• What is RallyPoint's company culture?
• Is your boss a good mentor? 

After the phone discussion, you now have "insider knowledge" and decide to apply for the job.  Because of the information you gathered, you know what type of interview questions to prepare for, what the job is like, how RallyPoint is as a company, and whether your potential boss is a good mentor.  If you ask me, besides your qualifications and education, you have everything you need to make a good impression.  Not only that, but the person with whom you had the informational interview can serve as your cheerleader from the inside.  He or she may even put in a good word with the manager on your behalf, which could lead to you getting the call for an interview before even applying.  Yeah, that could happen...it's called the hidden job market.

You would be surprised how many people get jobs without applying for them.  The hidden job market is out there and informational interviews are a great way to break into it.  Consider that potential co-workers are not the only source for knowledge.  Reach out to a management -level contact for an informational interview.  Asking the right questions of this individual can give you an advantage in your transition and blow the hidden job market wide open. 

Keep in mind that informational interviews are NOT the same thing as job interviews!  When arranging informational interviews with potential co-workers or potential managers, do not take this time to ask for a job.  That person with whom you are meeting will feel misled because you made the mistake of asking for a job at the wrong time.  You do not want to burn a bridge before you even get a chance to cross it.

Let’s recap and fill a few gaps. To successfully setup an informational interview, you should:

1. Find someone that is working for the company or in the industry of interest.
2. Send a friendly email or message that explains briefly who you are and ask to set aside a time to speak with them, either in person or by phone. (Do not expect to have the informational interview the same day you send the email or message.  Respect the individual's time and ask to speak at their earliest convenience.) 
3. Prepare questions and take notes of the answers given.  Those answers could be the key to you landing a job later.
4. Do NOT ask for a job during the conversation. It is misleading and unprofessional.
5. Around 24 hours after speaking with the person, send a thank you email or message, reiterating how much you enjoyed the conversation.
6. Rinse and repeat (with different people/companies/industries).

Remember when Neo tapped into the Matrix?  You could be "The One" in your transition if you can master informational interviews and tap into the hidden job market.