Advice from the guy on the other side of the….

Okay, I’ll admit it.  I used to avoid meeting with folks for information interviews like it was “the plague.”  I thought that my time was better off spent doing the work that clients were paying me to do than spending time in what is sometimes an awkward situation for both parties.

I credit my business partner for teaching me (even though he probably doesn’t realize it) that there is great value for the interviewer.  I have gained great insight into the state of the PR business, how our firm is perceived from an outsiders eyes, the level of knowledge of those coming out of school, etc.  In a purely “Godfatherian” sort of way, there are also “favors” that can be implied down the line as well in exchange for offer advice and some names to folks looking for a job.  But for know I prefer to think that most of the time our motives are pure.

We now as a firm average at least 1-2 of these events a week as we look for interns, help out colleagues who have lost jobs, or try to network and keep our roster of possible hires plentiful.

This topic is fresh in my mind as I have participated in Twitter #pradvice chat and see the number of recent or about to be college grads out there looking for advice.  The fact that some of them tweeted that they didn’t know what an information interview even was, both alarmed me and got be thinking about this post.  So here is my listing of do’s and don’ts and thoughts.  Some will agree, many will disagree, but I hope it will both inform and entertain.

– The best way to reach me is through e-mail.  NOT through an informal email from the “contact us” inbox from our website that has a “hey dude, I’m looking for a job” feel to it.  Okay, I have a bit of an ego, so feed it.  Call and ask someone for my email address.  Better yet you’re on the THP website already so do some research on us, you’ll likely be able to find my e-mail address on the web (or on this blog for that matter).

– I get a lot of calls a day so you will likely get caught up with clients, new business, and for college folks – people that I know who are looking for a job and would try to help before you anyway.  So email is best with a resume attached.

– We usually only see college or grad folks who have already don’t similar things at school or at work or at an internship.  So work for the school paper, become involved in campus events that translate to real-world experience, get an internship or two or three and be flexible on days, hours, etc. if you are looking for one.  If we don’t see this already on a resume, the odds are unfortunately that we will likely take a pass.

– So you have gotten through to us and we decide to get together, here are some things are are immediate “turn-ons” and “turn-offs” (dating references here apply because it is like a first date). 

    - Please dress and groom appropriately:  I can wear jeans, you can’t.  After 25 years, I’ve earned that right.  Shower.  Shave,  Don’t laugh.  Seeing is believing and we’ve seen it all.

    - Come prepared:  Again the ego thing, but if I’m giving up valuable time to see you, I think what I am about to share with you is important, so at least bring a pad and pen and write down some of the stuff I’m saying.  At THP, we make it a point of given names of folks to refer you to.  If you don’t have a way to write them down that tells me that you don’t think of being of value to you and that sucks for me.  Believe it or not one time I actually had to write down the names myself and give it to a young woman.  Instant turn off.

    - Come with samples of work:  Writing is key these days because it’s becoming a lost art.  If you’ve done campaigns, media relations, etc., bring your work.  Be prepared to explain in a minute or less and show you have a grasp of the information.

    - Tell me something I don’t know:  I’m trying to learn from these meetings as much as you are.  My topics of the day are social marketing and what colleges are teaching PR folks.  I can learn social marketing from college folks since you guys “live” it every day and I’m learning as much as I can.  I’ve also unfortunatley been validating a long-held belief of mine that college students are not being taught real-life PR in school,  This will likely make me unpopular with their professors, and that is a topic for another day.

    - Realize, however, that you don’t know everything:  Please drop the I’m “cool at school” attitude.  You may be BMOC or BWOC but in the working world you are a NEWBIE with a great deal to learn.  If you work with us we will respect you opinion and learn from you, but you have a lot of learn from us.

    - Bring three questions:  Research us, our firm, our clients and come to the table with three questions from us that will help you learn more.

    - Consume media….that day:  This used to be “read the morning’s paper,” but that ship has sailed.  Know what’s going in the world and locally in case it comes up in the conversation since it invariably will.

    - Say you are willing to do anything….even if you’re lying:  We have a small office that gives new interns or employees a chance to do more than at large firms, but at the end of the day crap slides downhill and you will have to do admin work, order office supplies, plan the holiday party, etc.  You will eventually run the office, but it will be many years from now when I’m on the beach somewhere.

Okay.  I think I’ve got most of it out of my system now.  For more experienced folks some or a lot of this doesn’t apply but some does so take some cues.  If I’ve come off like a bit of a prima donna on this issue, it’s because I think I’ve earned the right.  When you and a business partner(s) can say that you have signed a piece of paper that guarantees the line of credit on your business then you can have you own opinions.  I think most of the folks in my shoes will agree with most of what I said above.

Good luck in your search!