Informational interviews are a cornerstone of After Your PhD because asking the right questions can guide you toward your career goals.

I often receive questions from people wondering if informational interviews will help them land a job quickly. In some cases, individuals need to secure a new role within weeks—or even days—due to pressing financial obligations like bills or rent.

In this article, I’ll talk more about the role of informational interviews and offer alternative strategies you can pursue in the meantime.

Are Informational Interviews Meant for Short-Term or Long-Term Success in a Job Search?

Informational interviews are powerful tools for long-term career growth. They help you expand your network and identify any skills gaps you may need to address. For academics transitioning out of academia, these interviews are most effective when you’re still in graduate school, giving you a chance to explore opportunities beyond the academic world.

So, are there cases where informational interviews could lead to short-term success? Yes, I’ve had a few experiences where I was able to secure an interview within a few days, but that’s not the norm. In most cases I wanted to know if a career path like SEO was right for you. Tuned out it was the right path.

While it’s possible that the person you’re speaking with may be urgently hiring for a position, it’s important not to make that assumption. Doing so undermines the purpose of informational interviews.

If the person you’re interviewing with senses that you’re only engaging with them to quickly land a job, it can create an awkward dynamic and detract from the value of the conversation.

Alternatives to Informational Interviews

If I needed a new job as fast as possible, I would do the following:

Direct Applications and Hiring Manager Research

One obvious approach is to apply directly through job applications. However, beyond simply submitting your resume and hoping for the best, I recommend strategically applying for roles that align with your skills and taking the extra step of identifying and reaching out to the hiring manager.

If you want to find a hiring manager after you directly apply, this has worked for me in the past:

• Look at the job listing more closely. Does it mention a specific person hiring for a role? (HR manager, SEO Director, etc). If so, search for that position in the company on LinkedIn and provide a very simple outreach message that tells why you are a fit AND that you submitted an application.
• Ask around, but to other employees. Sometimes, the one doing the hiring is bombarded by messages. Instead, ask others in the company in the same department to get a better idea of who might be hiring for the role.

Recruiter Outreach

Recruiters are great to network with when you need a job fast because they already have access to open roles and actively connect candidates with hiring managers. If you have the skills they are looking for, they are going to be motivated to advocate for you, which can get your application in front of a hiring manger.

Most importantly, if you’re reaching out to recruiters on platforms like LinkedIn, make sure you know what types of roles they’re hiring for. For example, if you’re interested in a marketing position, ensure that the recruiter specializes in marketing roles. A helpful tip is to search for “specialty” + recruiter on LinkedIn to find the right connections.

In the long term, staying in touch with recruiters can also be valuable as new opportunities become available.

Ask your network if they know of immediate openings

If all else fails, don’t be afraid to ask or make an announcement on social media. If people don’t know you need a role fast, they might not be as receptive.

I also recommend people do this ASAP once they are laid off, but reminded people can’t hurt.

If you are making a reminder post, ensure that you put all the relevant information a hiring manager might need to know, like your experience, skills, location, and what you bring to the table.

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