And should be treated as such
Whether it’s an actual job interview or just an informational interview, you must never lose sight of the fact that it’s still a business meeting and should be treated as such.
What all is involved
Let’s go all the way back to step one: confirm the meeting the morning of, or the day before. Email is adequate, but if that’s not appropriate a simple phone call will suffice. Other basics (things that shouldn’t be taken for granted, but often are) include showing up on time. Check traffic before you leave. Make certain that you know where you can park. And dress appropriately. In this day and age, dress codes vary wildly from one organization or another, but it’s never a bad idea to dress the part.
No matter how much things have changed, when you meet, a firm handshake can still make a darned good first impression.
Once you’re there, it’s always good to begin the meeting by asking about the person you’re meeting. If you’ve done your homework, you should know something about the other person. If it makes sense, mention anything you may in common with your interviewer (i.e. school or neighborhood connections, hobbies, etc.)
Throughout the meeting, maintain good posture and especially maintain good eye contact.
Be sure you know how much time is available for the meeting. If your interviewer says, “I have a 3 o’clock meeting,” don’t be afraid to mention when the deadline is drawing near. If the interviewer wants to spend more time with you, fine (more like great!) but impress upon him that you’re cognizant of time constraints.
If at all possible, reserve about two minutes to recap the meeting and be sure to clarify what is expected of you and when you need to deliver it. Finally try to get some commitment on what happens next. Who will be calling (or emailing) whom? And when? Is there someone you need to call or contact, and do you have their contact information?
Aside from the obvious (a job!), just like any other business meeting, you should have certain objectives that you wish to attain as a result of a job or informational interview. As you would with any other business meeting.
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