By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter
EP 3106 Tired of submitting resumes into the abyss? We tell you the truth: The best jobs are often never publicly posted. In this direct, no-BS episode, we cut through the fluff and reveal The Power of Informational Interviews.
What Recruiters Know That You Don’t: They Don’t Fill That Many Positions
Alright, so let’s talk about something you’ve probably heard a million times if you’re looking for a new job or thinking about a career change, the informational interview. But let’s be honest, does it actually lead to anything? Or is it just a polite way to waste everyone’s time? We’re going to get to the bottom of this. I mean, this is the real question, isn’t it? You’re busy.
The person you want to talk to is definitely busy. And the last thing anybody needs is another meeting that goes nowhere. So are they actually worth the effort? Let’s just get a straight answer on this.
And there it is. The short answer is a big, fat no. They are absolutely not a waste of time.
Your Digital First Impression May Be Getting You Rejected
But okay, that just opens up a much bigger question, right? If they’re so great, what’s the real point? What are you actually supposed to get out of one? And this right here is the key. The whole point isn’t to walk in and ask for a job. No, no.
It’s to gain something way more powerful in the long run, real, honest-to-goodness insider knowledge. Think about it this way. It’s like targeted research.
You have a blind spot. You don’t know what a company’s culture is really like or what that job title actually means day to day. So you find the one person who can fill in that blank with their actual experience.
It’s the kind of stuff you will never, ever find on Google. And this is the perfect way to picture it. On one side, you have the official story, the polished job description, the company’s shiny About Us page.
But on the other side, you have the reality, the actual day-to-day grind, the unwritten rules, the real challenges. An informational interview is the bridge that gets you from one side to the other. So this usually boils down to two main situations.
First, you’re eyeing a specific company. You need to talk to someone on the inside to find out about the team dynamics, the work-life balance, you know, the real scoop. Or maybe you’re thinking about a totally new career path.
Well, an informational interview is your chance to figure out what that job is actually like before you dive in headfirst. So who holds all the secret knowledge? The insiders, of course. You want to talk to the people who are living the reality you’re curious about every single day.
Their firsthand experience is what this is all about. They’ve walked the path, and they can tell you where all the potholes are. Okay, so you’re gathering all this great intel.
Why So Many Interviews?
But how does that turn into, well, anything? This is where it gets really interesting. Because it’s not just about collecting facts. A single good conversation can kick off a chain reaction that leads to some amazing opportunities.
This is where the strategy really kicks in. Just look at how this can play out. It starts simple, right? Step one, you just learn.
But if you have a good conversation, you start to build a real connection. That’s step two. Then that person might offer to help you out.
Maybe they’ll look at your resume or introduce you to someone else. And all of that can eventually lead to the holy grail, them recommending you for an actual interview. It all flows from that one simple first step.
And really, that’s the big takeaway. It’s not just one thing you’re getting. It’s knowledge, it’s a new professional relationship, it’s strategic advice, and yeah, it’s a potential foot in the door.
The amount of value you can pack into one focused, respectful conversation is just huge. So keeping all of that in mind, I want to leave you with one final thought. Something to get you started on this yourself.
Seriously, think about it. If you could sit down with someone who is living your absolute dream career right now, what’s the single most important thing you’d need to know? Whatever that question is, that’s your starting point. Now go find an insider you can ask.
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ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER
People hire Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter to provide No BS Career Advice globally because he makes many things in peoples’ careers easier. Those things can involve job search, hiring more effectively, managing and leading better, carer transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues.
He is the producer and former host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 3100 episodes. 
A Critical Blind Spot in an Executive Job Search
You will find great info to help with your job search at my new site, JobSearch.Community Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their job search. Leave job search questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching.
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Executive Job Search: The Invisible Market
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