Let’s play health management jobs Jeopardy!
Answer: No.
Question: What is, have you ever conducted an informational interview?
A what? Probably the most under-utilized and useful tool available to job seekers and employed professionals, the informational interview. I know this because I have done it personally, and I speak with health management job seekers daily. Frequently I ask if they have considered an informational interview to learn more about a prospective organization or career. Often their answer is no.
Defined as “an informal conversation with someone working in an area that interests you who will give you information and advice,” I encourage you to consider the information interview. It is a great way to gain accurate information from primary sources.
So if you want to send out some informational interview requests via email but don’t quite know what to say, use the sample below. Informational interview templates are bountiful on the Web; I have used this email successfully in the past.
Hello Mr. Volk,
My name is Peter Martin. I am a friend and colleague of Greg Kite. Greg gave me your name and suggested that I contact you for a project I am working on specific to the issues that healthcare facility directors encounter daily.
Having been employed in health management jobs, I have industry experience. I am in the process of meeting with hospital facility directors and would appreciate the opportunity to discuss your challenges. Because I am not seeking a job, I would request only 30 minutes.
Any Tuesday or Friday will work best for me. However, I will be flexible to your schedule. I’d appreciate the opportunity to stop by your hospital and buy you a coffee, if possible. Thank you in advance.
Best regards,
Peter Martin
7 best practices for health management jobs info interviewing
- Keep the email brief and be sure to include the who, what, when, why.
- For a salutation, I prefer the use of hello combined with the formal use of Ms. or Mr. It sets a conversational tone while not assuming a personal relationship.
- If you have a connection or referral to the person you are contacting, state it in paragraph 1.
- Reiterate that you do not want a job and place a time limit on your conversation. From my experience, your discussion will go longer than the time allotted.
- If possible, meet in person and at the end of the conversation, ask for one additional contact.
- Send a handwritten thank-you note.
- Review these questions before your meeting. https://carey.jhu.edu/uploads/documents/Informational_Interview_Questions_Networking.pdf
Good luck, and remember, people are willing to help if you ask. Finally, If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.