As you prepare for an informational interview, remember that you are not entering this as a job candidate; you are seeking to establish a connection with the company and learn more about your desired position.  The information you retrieve is priceless and can easily be converted into a successful campaign to later showcase your talents for future employment.

Below are 8 points for a successful informational interview:

1.      Choose a company you really like.

2.      Interview the direct supervisor of the position you would like to have or the position holder themselves.  Yes, I said interview them.  Ask specific questions about the company’s products or services, culture, and most importantly, get information on their current needs or goals.

3.      Your objective is to leave a genuine impression of interest in the company and their needs.  This is not about you.

4.      Don’t ask for a job!  This is not about you.

5.      Make the meeting about them, not you.  Well, you get the picture.

6.      Always leave your business card with them, but do not give them your resume unless they ask for it.  Don’t hard sell.

7.      The main point of the interview is for you to develop contacts and leave them with a good first impression.  If or when a position is available that matches your qualifications, you will be at the top of their mind.

8.      Follow up!  Thank them for their time and compile a synopsis of their current needs and goals.  In your signature include a link to your online resume or LinkedIn profile.  Go for the soft sell approach.  If you genuinely like the people you met with, continue to keep in contact with them throughout the year, as they may get promoted, change companies, or go into business for themselves.  You never know from where your next opportunity will come.

No wonder mothers have so much anxiety when it comes to their job search, especially if they chose to stay home. Many are afraid of interviewing and discussing the time gaps in their resumes. After all, HR professionals, managers and job seekers have all been taught the same thing, time gaps are bad.  So in an interview, what are relaunchers, onrampers, and return to work mothers supposed to do?

Here are 5 interviewing tips for the brave souls returning to the workforce.

1.      Don’t apologize for being a mom. Be proud and embrace your decision to have children and stay home to raise them.  When asked about your time away from the workforce highlight the positives.

Here is a sample interview response: I chose to stay home to build a strong and loving foundation for my children.  I am confident they are now well supported and so I am eager to return to the work I love.  During my time at home, I volunteered at my local ________ (church, children’s school, charity, etc) and gained excellent experience in _________ (marketing, communications, public relations, or other business function.)

2.      Describe the leadership roles you held while at home or in previous employment.  Do you manage your household’s expenses, chair any volunteer committees, teach classes, lead in your church? Explain how you would apply your skills & experience to the open position.

3.      Ask questions.  Ask about a typical workday including office hours, duties, projects, and any travel.  Do any of the employees work a flexible schedule? Ask about their performance appraisal process and specifically which dimensions are rated.  This will give a good indication of what the company values, face-time or results.  Finally ask about what types of benefits are available such as health, dental, tuition reimbursement, flexible spending accounts, vacation, personal days and merit bonuses.  This information will be helpful when negotiating your salary and schedule.

4.      Be prepared.  Do your research on the company’s history, products, services and values.  Be able to clarify why you want to work there.  Also be familiar with the company’s customers and clients and how you can help meet their needs.

5.      Illustrate your own flexibility. Are you able to arrive earlier than the required time or leave later?  In return the company may allow you to leave a few hours earlier so you can pick your children up from daycare or school or arrive later in the morning so you can have breakfast with them.

Can you travel occasionally or work a Saturday if necessary? If so, the company may be able to offer you a compressed 4 day work week or have you work from home on the fifth day.

First make sure you can meet their needs, before negotiating how they can meet yours.

Finally, remember you are extremely valuable.  You are just as productive as any other worker.  Many of you hold advanced degrees, are able to work in fast-paced and stressful environments, can multi-task, negotiate with vendors, and manage dynamic budgets.  Your creativity and innovation are boundless and you seldom complain.  Ultimately, no one is as dedicated and loyal than you.

Author’s Edit:  Great tip from one of our readers,  Jo Ann Cummings.

In addition to researching the company, women should go to a website like salary.com and research the pay range for the type of position they are applying for, with the experience level they had, in the city where they hope to work.  Even if you don’t intend to discuss salary at an initial interview, IF the subject comes up, you will be prepared with a benchmark of what the salary range might be, so that you know if you’re getting low balled.

The Wageproject.org website has access to salary.com.  They are starting to offer salary negotiation seminars called Return$mart, for women returning to the workforce.