Are you looking for something
librarian-ish to do over the week-long break between Spring and Summer
Quarters? If so, then why not schedule an informational interview with a
professional in the library and information science field? Many librarians will
tell you that they not only love what they do, but also that they love
discussing what they do with anyone who is interested. Additionally, people in
the information profession are especially eager to share their ideas, experiences,
and advice with future librarians. So why not use this lull in school-related
activity to learn more about the profession directly from a professional
herself through an informational interview?
Before scheduling an informational
interview, you should first do some internet research about the libraries in
your area, especially if you do not have a library or an interviewee in mind. A
general rule of thumb is to limit the list of potential libraries to visit
according to your own interests, particularly in terms of library type (public,
academic, special, etc.). For example, if you think you would like to work in
an academic library someday, create a list of academic libraries located near
you (try using the College Navigator search on the NCES homepage), find
the homepage for the libraries at these colleges and universities, and take a
look around each library’s website.
After obtaining a better sense of what
each library is like, decide on which libraries you would like to visit. For
these libraries, find the staff directory (usually labeled “Staff” on the
website’s navigation bar) and take a look around. Not only is a staff directory
useful for finding contact information, but it is also a fast way to find out who
does what at a library. Depending on the directory, some libraries might list each
staff member’s title, credentials, and short professional biography. Even if a
directory does not have all of this information, it will almost always list staff
members’ titles. Use this information to figure out who is responsible for what
interests you about the library (e.g., if you are interested in a library’s
information literacy program, find the director of this program on the “Staff”
page). Finally, send emails to these
libraries to request an informational interview.
Write your email as you would any
professional correspondence (click here to review professional email
basics). As for content, explain the purpose for contacting the librarian (you
would like to schedule an informational interview), where you found their
contact information, who you are as a student (the degree you are working towards,
where you go to school, etc.), and a common point of interest (e.g., digital
libraries) and/or a compliment on project they have worked on at their library.
End the email by listing your availability and by thanking them for considering
your request.
Once you receive a response accepting
your request, start preparing your questions. You may decide to use stock
questions that could work when interviewing any professional (click here to see a list). Stock question are quite useful for obtaining general information
about the person and the position they hold at the library. Nevertheless, your
questions should become more specific as you work your way down the list, and
you will need to tailor these questions to the person being interviewed. To do
this, base your questions on what information you found about the person or
their position at their library from your basic internet search. By asking
these types of questions, you are trying to find information about the key
competencies needed for the position, as well as the kinds of non-library-specific
skills (e.g., project management) one would need to develop to succeed in the
position. While it is important that you come to the interview with a list of
questions written down and ready to be asked, you should also allow the
interview to follow any interesting or potentially useful tangents that might
arise. Also, while you should be respectful and appreciative, you should not be
so formal as to make the interviewee uncomfortable.
As with a job interview, you should
arrive early to the informational interview in professional attire (click here to review tips on job-interviewing ). Also, as with a job
interview, make sure to send the interviewee a “thank you” email afterwards.
This type of email is especially important to send after an informational
interview because, unlike a job interview, the professional with whom you have
met has no immediate incentive for taking time out of their workday to speak
with you; in this sense, then, the informational interview is primarily for
your benefit, which is why you should express your appreciation to the
interviewee appropriately.
Those readers who have taken INFO 520
have already interviewed at least one information professional and so are
already familiar with the purpose of and steps involved in informational
interviewing. Consider this post, then, a reiteration of what your INFO 520
professor has said about informational interviewing with an additional,
first-hand affirmation of its value. To be more specific, two current SCALA
officers have been offered internships as the result of conducting
informational interviews. While there is no guarantee that you will be made the
same offer, the more you put yourself out there and get to know people in the
profession before you graduate, the better chances you have of finding a
position that suits your interests and needs. Additionally, the more informational
interviews you conduct, the more you will learn about the profession and the
larger your network will grow. Thus conducting informational interviews is an
excellent pre-professional activity in which you can actively engage.
