Yes, it sounds insensitive. But you WILL hear it. To be honest, the most considerate people are often those who remembered what it was like to look for work. You can be reassured that there are a lot of those people out there, who will be happy to meet with you.

Here are some guidelines for calling a total stranger for an informational interview:

1) Have a connection. Belonging or involvement in a common organization or activity can also be effective, providing that involvement is genuine. A common acquaintance is best, someone who doesn't mind you using their name.

2) Respect their time. Don't forget: just because they pick up the phone doesn't mean they have time to talk. Any time I call anyone, the very first words out of my mouth are: “Do you have a minute?” People will appreciate it when you offer first to call back at a more convenient time, because you will catch them at difficult moments. When you are allowed to continue, get to the point of your call, and don't start telling them your life story.

3) Make it clear you are not seeking a job interview. Again, this is sometimes the toughest thing to get through to people. It is also among the most important.

4) Tell them you would like their advice. It flatters people to be sought for advice. You may actually get some helpful tips!

5) Agree to meet at their convenience. This comes back to respecting their time. You want to make the meeting as easy as possible for them.

The Informational Interview

There is a sort of “bottom line agenda” when going on these types of interviews: to get the person you are meeting with to know you and to find out who they know, and to gather information which will be valuable to your eventual search for an employer or customers.

That really is the bottom line. You want to meet as many people as possible. You want to get your name out and keep it in front of people. You want to gather information. It's that simple.

Some info-interviews can go smoothly, others can be stale and uncomfortable. It depends upon the person with whom you are meeting and your ability to build rapport with the individual.

One of the first things I would do when setting foot in someone's office is to thank him or her for their time. They are busy with schedules to keep and bosses to please, and it sincerely meant a lot to me that they would take a few moments out just to chat.

The above is an excerpt from The Last Guide to Networking You'll Ever Need, which is available for sale for $17 in our bookstore or for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. In this tough economy, people who find jobs usually do so by networking. Written by Keith F. Luscher specifically for the job hunting students and recent graduates with zero to three years of experience who use CollegeRecruiter.com. Are you networking at least two hours a day? Those who are finding jobs are. Don't be left behind. Read this book and you will quickly find a new job. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.

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