Did someone have an informational interview with consulting companies. Is it worth doing? How do they tend to react to request of such interview?

Informational interviews are more difficult to do these days because of the economy. Companies are less willing to meet with strangers to discuss their issues for 'informational' purposes ( for a lot of companies, their main goal is to survive as well as possible).The hidden goal of many ppl who conduct informational interviews is to ultimately get a job at those companies, by showing your interest ( and possible solutions) to some of the companies issues. The hope is that the company will see the interviewers as smart, enthusiastic, etc etc and offer them a job.Its certainly more difficult these days to secure an informational interview than before, but still can be done and pay dividends too. It may help being affiliated with a university , but mostly, its going to be granted if one of your friends or professors sets you up on one.In this downturn, informational interviews are still a good way to schmooze and network...this will pay off somewhere down the line ( at the least it gives you experience in this tyoe of interviews). Make sure you you do some pre-research on the company before going in so that you seem to them as switched on, who can ask intelligent questions, etc.

They are worthwhile if you can get them, especially for getting an insight to aspects of the organisation which aren't covered by the usual recruitment materials, etc. They can be useful for networking, if you are already well-connected and experienced in the field - it's more difficult to see what the benefit you'd be able to offer the "interviewer" if you're a graduate.That's not to say that graduates can't get informational interviews, but it is important to understand what the proposition is on both sides in order to get a positive reaction from potential interviewers. I've "granted informational interviews to" (more like "agreed to go for a coffee with") both fresh graduates and experienced consultants/client-side managers looking at a move. Meeting experienced candidates allows me to get the inside track on other organisations/keep in with potential clients. Meeting fresh graduates allows me to give something back to alumni and pretend that I'm wise and worldly.It is always advisable to be up-front about your intentions and expectations when trying to set up informational interviews. If the people you approach have the impression you're just interested in an easy route into a job, they may reject your request out of hand (especially if they don't already know you).In the current climate, I'd recommend that you go in with a clear message that you're not looking for an immediate job (and a clear understanding that you won't get one from the meeting). A more appropriate objective would be building your understanding of firms and the industry, with a view to your long-term career direction and job opportunities "whenever they next arise".

I fully agree with you A D , but the fact is that many ppl want to do informational interviews because they want something other than 'knowledge about the company or the like'. For instance, biz devt/sales meet with prospective clients ( info interviews) because they want intel to craft solutions and later pitch it to the company. Uni graduates do them to : 1) perhaps as part of class assignment ( and they need credible sources), and 2) to hopefully line up an offer after grad ( this goes double in todays market).I agree with you in that the going in position should not be to get a job or seek intel so that you can take it back to get one up one your competition etc....but rather to listen and have a constructive dialog, etc....but the fact is that ppl do this with hidden agenda's. Informal statistics have shown that ppl engage in informal interviews much more in bear markets than bull markets...now that tells me that they are looking for something other than just 'information about the company/industry'.

And those same people either do not get granted informational interviews, or get negative recommendations as a result. If someone gives up their time to speak to you for an informational interview, they do not take kindly to being "sold at". Far better to be upfront about your intentions than to be physically thrown out of the building.