Sometimes employers lean toward candidates who are already employed—giving them a built-in advantage as so-called passive job seekers. When they do this, it often reveals an underlying fear of risk: they assume that someone already working must be a “safe” choice, automatically qualified and ready to fit in. Meanwhile, internal candidates often hold an edge of their own. They understand the culture, know the expectations, and are often aware of opportunities long before they’re even posted.

That can make the playing field feel uneven. But the good news is—there’s a way to level it.

The informational interview is one of the most powerful tools you can use to open doors, build relationships, and stand out before a job is even available. The skills taught in this guide will help you communicate clearly, ask meaningful questions, and share information that positions you as a professional worth knowing. Even before you’re hired, you’ll be expanding your network and creating opportunities that might otherwise never appear.

You can always work harder—but it’s far more effective to work smarter. Building genuine, strategic connections isn’t just a career tactic; it’s the foundation of long-term success. Knowledge will get you started, but relationships will take you further.

In Networking With a Purpose: The Informational Interview, Its Use, and Why It Is a Valuable Tool, you’ll learn how to:

Approach professionals in your field with confidence
Turn conversations into insights and opportunities
Develop credibility through curiosity and preparation
Build a network that supports your growth throughout your career

These are not just job-search skills—they are life skills. As you practice and refine them, you’ll gain more than contacts; you’ll gain confidence, perspective, and a genuine sense of belonging in your chosen field. You’ll use these lessons long after your first job offer, shaping every interaction, meeting, and milestone that follows.

With the right approach, your next conversation might not just lead to a job—it could lead to a career you love.

Brent M. Jones

Brent writes with quiet confidence and curiosity, exploring communication, reinvention, and what truly matters. His reflections invite readers to slow down, reconsider their stories, and reconnect with the values that guide them. Through books, essays, and his What Matters newsletter, he offers writing that doesn’t shout—but still speaks clearly.