41 Step 3: Identifying Targets to Interview

Once you have your list of companies, it is important to not get overwhelmed. Start by selecting your top company and begin to identify people who work for this company that would be valuable for you to interview.

The most valuable people tend to be those who hold the position you are seeking, those who hold the position that is a step up from the one you are seeking, those in leadership positions in the department you would like to work, or those who do the recruiting and hiring for the company. Work to find the names and contact information for these individuals. They may be listed on the company website, or available through a LinkedIn search.

When diving into a search on LinkedIn, many students work to locate someone that they have something in common with. For example, you may find that someone you already know through church, or a family friend, comes up in your search. Another strategy is to seek out alumni from your college who work at your target company. Having something additional in common with this individual will increase your chances of securing the interview. Be sure to mention this connection when you reach out to ask for the interview.

Once you have a short list of targets for the interview, make a list of their contact information. Generally, it is easy to find emails, or LinkedIn provides a message option through which you can directly message your target.

Another way my students have successfully identified targets is through career fairs, professors, and student organizations. Perhaps a company is on campus and the recruiter can put you in touch with someone in your field, or you can interview the recruiter who often knows a lot about the different positions at the company. Or maybe your professor or student organization has had a guest speaker or other connections they can put you in touch with. Simply letting your family and friends know about your project and what you are seeking could help you locate a friend of a friend who would be perfect for this interview.

One of the biggest mistakes I see students make with this project is taking the easy way out by interviewing someone they already know who works in a field unrelated to their field of study.

While a business professional you know may have some valuable insights into the professional world, typically these interviews do not produce quality results as the interviewee is unable to provide insights into your specific field, nor provide you with leads and connections in your field that could lead to an internship or future employment. While I encourage students to speak to everyone they know who may have valuable information to share, conducting a formal informational interview with someone you already know typically is not the best way to get the most out of this project.