What are they and how can they help teachers transition to a new career?
For teachers considering a career change, the prospect of leaving the classroom can be exciting and daunting in equal measure. The skills honed through years of teaching (for example, communication, organisation, problem-solving, to name but a few) are highly transferable, but navigating the transition into a new industry requires more than just a polished CV and clicking ‘submit’ on the jobs vacant sites. One of the most effective yet underutilised tools available to teachers in this situation is the informational interview.
An informational interview is a meeting where a job seeker—like a teacher considering a career shift —talks to someone working in a field, or role, of interest. The purpose is not to ask for a job but to gather insights, advice, and information about a particular industry, company, or position. This low-pressure conversation allows the job seeker to learn directly from someone with real-world experience, offering a unique perspective that cannot be gleaned from basic online research. Meeting in person, particularly if the contact is known to you, is an option. But a zoom (or similar) meeting tends to be the norm these days, particularly if you are connecting with someone you have met via LinkedIn or similar.
The value of information interviews
- Exploring new career paths: Transitioning from teaching to a new field can feel overwhelming, especially when you are unsure of what career options align with your skills. Informational interviews help teachers explore different roles, industries, and companies without the commitment of applying for jobs. By speaking with professionals in various fields, you can gain clarity on what jobs might be a good fit.
- Understanding industry trends and expectations: Each industry has its own trends, jargon, and expectations. Informational interviews provide you with a firsthand look at the current landscape of a new industry. This can be particularly valuable for understanding what additional skills or certifications might be needed, what challenges are prevalent, and what the day-to-day responsibilities of a role entail.
- Expanding your professional network: Networking is often cited as a key factor in job hunting success, added to this, transitioning to a new field and building a network from scratch can be intimidating. Informational interviews offer a natural way to start this process. By conducting a series of these interviews, you can establish relationships with professionals who may later provide job leads, introductions, or mentorship.
- Boosting confidence and reducing career anxiety: Changing careers is a significant life decision, and it’s normal to feel uncertain. Informational interviews can alleviate some of this anxiety by providing a clearer picture of what lies ahead. Speaking with someone who has successfully transitioned or who understands the industry can be incredibly reassuring. These conversations can help you realise that your skills are indeed valuable and transferrable, thus boosting your confidence as you navigate the career change process.
How to conduct an informational interview
1. Identify Potential Contacts: Start by reaching out to your existing network—colleagues, friends, family, or alumni associations. LinkedIn is also a valuable tool for finding professionals in fields of interest. When making contact, be polite and concise, explain that you’re exploring a career change and would appreciate their insights. You will be pleasantly surprised how most people (even complete strangers) you approach are willing to help.
2. Prepare Thoughtful Questions: Go to the interview prepared with a list of questions (but not too many). Focus on topics like the daily responsibilities of the job, required skills, industry challenges, and the interviewee’s own career journey. This preparation shows respect for the interviewee’s time and ensures you gather useful information.
3. Be Professional and Respectful of Time: Tell your connection how long you will keep them (twenty minutes is a good guide). Treat the informational interview with the same professionalism as a job interview. Take responsibility for setting up the zoom meeting and send the link the day before (it serves as a gentle reminder of the appointment). Ensure you get onto to zoom and open the ‘room’ a few minutes ahead of the scheduled time, so you don’t keep your guest waiting. Keep the conversation within the agreed-upon time frame (take responsibility for ending the meeting on time).
4. Follow Up with Gratitude: After the interview, send a thank-you note expressing your appreciation for the interviewee’s time and insights. This simple gesture helps solidify the connection and keeps the door open for future communication. That you’ve added a useful contact to your network is one of the most important by-products of this process.
Informational interviews are a powerful tool for teachers looking to transition into new careers and I almost certainly build assignments around undertaking several of these conversations into my career change programme. Clients feel supported and encouraged to take action and the insights flow thick and fast because these conversations provide a wealth of knowledge. They help expand professional networks and can significantly reduce the uncertainty that comes with such a major life change. By taking the time to conduct informational interviews, teachers can approach their career transition with greater confidence and clarity, ultimately paving the way for a successful new chapter in their professional lives.
Photo by Alex Knight on Unsplash