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

Abstract

AbstractNetworking 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.