You can google "informational interview" to get an idea of what is fair game to ask during one. I am a retained executive recruiter -- I often tell people to look at The Riley Guide (just type that in the search line) for any and all job advice.

In the subject line of an email you can say "request for a meeting" or "request for informational interview'. That way, the good folks will open it an respond. And, the bad folks won't.

Ask for 15 or 20 minutes of someone's time. When the time is i[ -- say "Isee we are at our agreed upon time". Many people will say that's fine and keeptalking. It shows you have respect.

Good luck and the more youdo,,,the better results you'll get.

I also work at a nonprofit and get these requests all the time. I think the coffee idea is great and a good place to start. I don't think you should necessarily sell yourself for a job they don't have at the moment. Your goal should be, at the coffee, to get on the radar of someone who works there and to learn everything you can for when you do apply there.

I also think that you should separately submit your resume for consideration, and, after your initial coffee, ask the contact for advice on how to proceed.

Hope this helps.

Anonymous wrote:I do get requests for informational meetings all the time...some are cold calls, but some have SOME link (alumni, know someone who knows someone). Send your resume too-- I can decide if you are worth hiring or not.

They do seem to have a general email for this kind of thing and hiring - resumes@orgname.org type thing. Would it be appropriate then to spruce up my resume and send that and a cover letter, like an e-cold call? I am in the health policy field and similar.

Anonymous wrote:are you on linked in? Can you tell if any of your connections know someone there? I would start there.

Agree not to call it an informational interview, even if that is what it is. once you know of someone in the organization, email them or call them and say, "Susan mentioned that you work at Larla's Consulting and i've always been interested in the work your company does. Would you have time for a coffee or quick chat sometime to talk about your role there and the company culture?

Something like that. People love to talk about themselves, generally.

This is OP, I am on LinkedIn, unfortunately the only connections to people working there (or formerly working there) are 3rd level or shared Group connections. I guess I will have to try to network a bit more with past colleagues and see if connections pop up. Love the coffee idea. Thanks!

Anonymous wrote:are you on linked in? Can you tell if any of your connections know someone there? I would start there.

Agree not to call it an informational interview, even if that is what it is. once you know of someone in the organization, email them or call them and say, "Susan mentioned that you work at Larla's Consulting and i've always been interested in the work your company does. Would you have time for a coffee or quick chat sometime to talk about your role there and the company culture?

Something like that. People love to talk about themselves, generally.

This is great advice.

I do get requests for informational meetings all the time...some are cold calls, but some have SOME link (alumni, know someone who knows someone). Send your resume too-- I can decide if you are worth hiring or not.

if there is an email for an HR person or something like that, you coudl try the above via cold call, but I would start via someone you know first.

are you on linked in? Can you tell if any of your connections know someone there? I would start there.

Agree not to call it an informational interview, even if that is what it is. once you know of someone in the organization, email them or call them and say, "Susan mentioned that you work at Larla's Consulting and i've always been interested in the work your company does. Would you have time for a coffee or quick chat sometime to talk about your role there and the company culture?

Something like that. People love to talk about themselves, generally.

Anonymous wrote:Oh, and the goal of an informatinal interview is twofold: 1) to gather information; and 2) to build your network. It is not to ask for a job. To call someone and say you would like an informational interview - and I would not call it that when you call - and then ask for a job would be disingenuous. If you have not read it, please read "What Color is Your Parachute?" before attempting any informational interviews.

Thank you! I will check that out and will think more about the informational interview idea. Consequently I suppose the only other thing is to just keep looking to see if they post any experienced positions in that department?

Oh, and the goal of an informatinal interview is twofold: 1) to gather information; and 2) to build your network. It is not to ask for a job. To call someone and say you would like an informational interview - and I would not call it that when you call - and then ask for a job would be disingenuous. If you have not read it, please read "What Color is Your Parachute?" before attempting any informational interviews.

I think it best if you find someone who can provide an introduction for you. People are more likely to respond positively if you were referred to them by someone they know.

Alternatively there IS an intern position in that department, but I'm quite overqualified and it's not a career change so it doesn't seem fitting. Should I "apply" in a general sense to the department and....hope they may want to find a place for me? Argh.

How does this work? I have identified a place that I would really like to work. There are no paid job openings in the department that I am most interested in, and nothing otherwise fitting my experience and interest.

Do you just contact someone in the Department? Some people and their emails are listed on the site. Would you email and write a general cover letter of sorts, and request an interview/informational interview?

Is the goal of an informational interview that they'll create a position and/or remember you later when a position comes up? This is not a job with the Feds it is at a non-profit.

Thanks!