Informational Interviewing Tips for Millennials

At a NALP Conference program about millennials, Karen Hester of KU Law and Jenny Kiely of Husch Blackwell Sanders reiterated a point we have all observed—millennials can be reluctant to interact with people face-to-face, preferring instead to rely on electronic communication. This presents a challenge when suggesting to students that they engage in that tried and true method of job hunting—in-person informational interviewing. Here’s some concrete I advice I give to meet the millennials need for clear cut answers:

Remember, unlike a job interview, you’re the one “conducting” an informational interview, so at the beginning of the meeting be ready to ask questions, especially open-ended ones that allow the attorney to go into detail about his or her professional and educational background. Ask specific questions regarding what the attorney does during a typical day. Also, don’t neglect an opportunity to demonstrate that you’ve done some research regarding the attorney and his or her area of specialty. The following are possible open-ended informational interview questions:

The Contact’s Career

Did you clerk or intern while in law school?
What is your personal career history?
How did you choose this area of law?
What are your responsibilities?
When you started out, how long did it take for you to conduct a deposition? Argue a motion? Conduct a trial? Handle a closing?
What is involved in a typical day/week/month?
How many hours do you typically work each week/month/year?
How did you prepare yourself for this position?
What do you like/dislike about the job?
What obligations does your work place on your personal time?
What law school classes have been most useful to you in your career?
What skills or talents are most essential for effective job performance?
What do you wish you had known before leaving law school?
What is the most interesting project you have worked on recently?
What are the toughest problems you face?
What are your work performance expectations?
What do you find most rewarding about the work itself?

The Job Market

What do people new to this field typically do?
What are the “hot issues” in this field?
What are the future prospects for growth in this field?
What are the legal trends in your area of the law?
What changes do you anticipate in your practice area in the next five years?
What is the salary range for entry-level attorneys in your field?
Is there a definite career path in this field?