A Guide to Informational Interviews & Advice From 3 PR Professionals
As I prepare to embark on the “real world” after college and finish up my last few Ad/PR core classes, I decided to jump-start my networking journey. I took to LinkedIn and navigated my way through a list of GVSU Ad/PR alumni. Deciding to focus on integrated communications agency life as my post-graduate career goal, I found three alumnae that fit my criteria. After facing my fears and pressing send on my personalized messages, they all were kind enough to respond, and I set up zoom meetings with each of them.
Do Your Research & Formulate Questions
Prior to my informational interviews, I researched each of the alumnae by looking at their LinkedIn. On their profiles, I looked at their past work experiences and what their college experience was like. All of them had similar college backgrounds as I do and all three worked at an agency early on in their career. In addition to getting to know a little about their background, I researched common informational interview questions and the best practices to get the most out of an informational interview. From there, I created a list of 15-20 questions broken down into three categories:
Background
Current Career
Advice
Manage Your Expectations
Understand that the professional you are meeting with might have at most 20-30 minutes to talk with you. That being said, if they are agreeing to meet with you, they want to help you! Especially if they were past Ad/PR alumni, they were once in your shoes. Briefly describe your experience and career goals but do not monopolize the conversation. An informational interview is about learning more about the industry, a particular company, a role, and making a networking connection. Remember to be professional and gracious.
Advice From GVPRSSA & GrandPR Alumnae
After meeting with three professionals in the industry and learning more about the agencies they have previously worked for, their current job duties, and them personally, they also gave me a lot of valuable advice. Here are seven pieces of advice for young professionals entering the workforce from past GVPRSSA & GrandPR alumnae:
1. “Be willing to try things you aren’t necessarily excited about.”
Whether it’s your first post-graduate job or you’re taking on a new project, not every experience will fit your dream expectations. Try out these new experiences and grow your skillset.
2. “Take failures as learning opportunities.”
Being a young professional means making a mistake once in a while. Don’t let it discourage you. Work on accepting constructive feedback and alter your course of action if something is not working.
3. “It is good to ask for help, but only after you’ve exhausted your resources. Google will be your best friend.”
In your workplace, you should feel comfortable asking questions and for help. However, ensure you have tried troubleshooting your problem on your own first.
4. “Know how to set healthy boundaries between work and personal life.”
The public relations industry is known to be fast-paced and can be a hustle; try beating burnout by constructing a healthy work-life balance as best you can.
5. “Don’t script your interviews.”
It is best to prepare for interviews by researching, practicing, and brainstorming questions. However, avoid the robot tone by not over-rehearsing. Scripting your interviews can make you even more nervous than if you just remained present and in the moment.
6. “It pays off to say yes when you have the capacity to.”
Going along with work-life balance, if you have time in your busy schedule to take on a new task, try something new! You never know what doors it could open or what avenues it could lead to.
7. “In your day-to-day tasks, you’re constantly communicating, be sure to know how to talk in front of people confidently.”
Public relations is all about communication. Whether you are in an in-house role or at an agency, knowing how to communicate your great ideas accurately is crucial. Spend time fine-tuning your public speaking skills, and it’s all about practice.
Using these tips, host your own informational interviews. PR alums are more than willing to guide you through your career journey and teach you about the industry. After completing the interview, send them a thank you note and stay connected with them. Take a leap, build your network, and learn from PR professionals’ experience.
Madey Lutenski is a senior studying Advertising & Public Relations with a minor in Women & Gender Studies. During her senior year, she is the GVSU Career Center's Writing & Communications Intern and the Marketing Content Intern for Experience Grand Rapids. Madey also serves as GrandPR’s Firm Editor and is on GVPRSSA’s Promotion Committee. After graduation, she plans to remain in West Michigan and join an integrated communications firm.