"I attribute what little I know to my not having been ashamed to ask for information, and to my rule of conversing with all descriptions of men on those topics that form their own peculiar professions and pursuits. "            John Locke.

Knowledge builds from experience. It's a common observation, and as far back as the 17th century, people like philosopher, John Locke, were commenting on its importance to personal development.

In these career minded times, talking to people about their own "peculiar professions and pursuits" has a acquired official status, at least in job search terms. Informational interviewing, it's called.

The premise behind interviews of this kind is that the most direct way to research a particular field is to talk to the experts - people who spend their days working in it.

Henry, a middle manager in benefit administration, "fell into" his line of work. For nearly 20 years he "got by", he says, never excelling, never blundering seriously, either.

Nonetheless, last summer he was one of nearly 50 people to be let go when his employer "re-organized."

Instinctively, Henry tried, at first, to replace the job he lost. When he couldn't and months passed, he began to think about a change in career direction.

Through a process of self-examination, Henry slowly became aware that, although he enjoys the personnel field, he's far happier working with people than he is working with statistics and data. He's decided to turn his sights to training and development, perhaps even recruiting.

Though he has some understanding of these areas, Henry needs more information. Which of his existing skills are transferable? What skills and training should he add to his credentials? Where can he get the best training? What opportunities exist once he has it? How can he best present himself, his goals, his background on a resume, and in interviews?

Narida, is also in need of information, though for different reasons. She's moving to Calgary. Her husband has been offered a job there, a promotion. The family decided he couldn't turn down.

An advertising manager in the retail industry, Narida is well-established and respected in Toronto. She now faces the daunting prospect of leaving this behind to start over in a new city, in an unknown business community, in a harsh economic climate.

Once in Calgary, Narida will need to develop a clear sense of the advertising industry there, how it functions, who the major players are, what companies are growing or changing and may be in need of additional staff.

Before interviewing for information, assess who has it. Projects like this begin with a list of people known to be respected professionals in their field.

Henry is well connected after years of working in the same industry in one city and this will give him something of a head start. By picking up the phone, and talking to people he knows, he can put together a list of such people.

Narida, on the other hand, will be starting from scratch - no contacts, no one place to begin.

• The process starts with reading and research, the foundation of career exploration. Reading business and industry specific magazines and websites and reviewing the business sections of local newspapers will provide the names of leaders in the advertising industry. At the library or on the Internet, she'll find industry directories.
• Once a list has been compiled, call or write and request a meeting. On the phone, Narida's conversation will go something like this: "I'm new to the city and spending some time talking to people in this field before launching a job search. I would benefit from talking to an expert like yourself. Would you be able to spend 20 minutes with me, sometime next week?"
• Not everyone you approach will agree to see you, but some will. Slowly, build your base off information - industry and area specific. Become known to experts in your field.
• When you meet, keep in mind at all times that these are business meetings, with busy people. If you've asked for 20 minutes of their time, take no more than that. Plan carefully how to make the best use of that time.
• Plan well. To launch into an interview unprepared, with general, unfocused questions is a serious mistake. It was Voltaire who said, "Judge a man by his questions, rather than his answers." If your questions aren't intelligent and well researched, you'll have missed the hidden opportunity behind informational interviews - to impress people in your field who have the potential to become professional "contacts", and who may know of jobs.
• NEVER, EVER attempt to turn an informational interview into a job interview. If it becomes obvious your true reason for making this contact was to say, "please, hire me", you lose all credibility.
• After each interview, follow up with a thank-you note or letter.

Interviewing selected people to gather information is an effective career exploration technique. Prepare yourself well, tenaciously seek out experts, conduct professional meetings with them, and you can get a head start in a new career, a new city, or a new specialty within your field.