The topic of informational interviewing makes a lot of people nervous. Concerns like how do I get started, where do I go to meet people, how do I use social media to ask about an informational interview, and what do I say during an informational interview are often big concerns that individuals have.
The truth is that informational interviews make people uncomfortable or uneasy. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Informational interviews are an activity that when done correctly can reap the rewards and ongoing relationships.
Let’s start with knowing why informational interviews are helpful:
- It can help you get your name known or your foot in the door of an industry you are interested in.
- Learn about new career paths or the exciting career paths of other professionals.
- Gain insight and information about career prep for your industry.
How to get an informational interview:
Think about what you want and who you want to connect to – Thinking about who you want to connect with during an information interview is key to getting started. It would be hard to target a specific person or industry if you didn’t know who you wanted to connect with or where you wanted to go. Start with doing some research on who and why you want to meet. Think about your selected industry. Who is there making waves? Who are you acquainted with?
In addition to this, think about the industry you are interested in. Get up to date with the latest news through journals, industry magazines, professional associations, and speak to career leaders in the industry.
Select your target people to connect with – Once you have thought about who you want to meet and now know some of what is going on in the industry, you are prepared to select who you want to meet with.
First, start with your contacts. Reach out to those people for a simple “catch up” or even request a formal meeting. What if someone is not directly in a field that you are in but you still want to reach out to them? Go ahead anyway! These people could connect you with the right people in your perspective industry to have an informational interview with.
What to say when asking for an informational interview – When you are connecting with someone first think about how you want to introduce yourself. Have an elevator pitch ready. Have it consist of who you are, why you are interested in the field, and some questions you can ask the targeted person. Be engaging and ask for the interview after some interaction with the person.
Also, think about how you want to contact them. Is it through social media, phone, or email? When writing to this person be clear that it is information you are looking for rather than a job. Tell them how you got their contact. Then ask if you can have 20 to 30 minutes of their time to chat about your questions.
Day of the interview – When meeting with the person whether it be online or in-person dress for the occasion. You always want to appear professional. Treat it like a business meeting, arrive early and have your questions prepared. Thank the person for their time, while ensuring an engaging conversation, not just a transaction.
Remember to tell them what your objective is and let them know a little bit about you concerning how it applies in the meeting. An informational interview typically lasts between 20 to 30 minutes.
Always leave the meeting having made a connection with the opportunity to stay in touch if both parties agree. In addition to this send a follow-up note within 2 days of meeting with this person and let them know what you learned from the conversation.
So, there you have it, an informational interview is a reliable source of networking even though it may take more time than regular networking. It is a strategy to get to know someone on a more personal basis while making a connection.
Have more questions? Send me an email through the contact page or connect with me on Instagram @BlissPlusYou.
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