Effectiveness of informational interviewing for facilitating networking self-efficacy in university students

Abstract

Networking helps people explore careers and find jobs. To date, the scientific literature has described few evidence-based techniques for boosting networking self-efficacy in university students. Here, two studies assessed the effectiveness of informational interviewing as a theory-based technique for improving networking self-efficacy. Study 1 (n = 90) used a pre–post, quasi-experimental design and found participants who conducted a virtual informational interview with business professionals reported higher networking self-efficacy at posttest than participants in a comparison condition. Study 2 (n = 72) used a single-group design with three measurement occasions and found self-reported learning during an in-person informational interview moderated the relationship between participants’ pre- and posttest networking self-efficacy. Results suggest that informational interviewing can be an effective technique for increasing networking self-efficacy among university students.