Host Sheila Boysen-Rotelli is here to discuss informational interviewing, a tool that can help you whether you are looking for a new job or not. Get the insight you need into the industry that you desire by using this strategy!
Episode Highlights:
- Information interviewing is simply a form of networking
- There are more aspects to a job search than applying to everything that you see on the internet
- Informational interviews can provide you with insight into a company or role
- These are a meeting between an employee and a person who is looking for information on that employee's job or company
- Where do informational interviews fit into the job-search process?
- Act as a form of networking that helps you to build relationships with people that may be able to open a door for you
- These conversations speed up the process and skip most of the cold submissions to postings
- Influential people get to know you because you have the opportunity to share your story
- Get started by finding the people that can either answer your questions or introduce you to the person that can
- Set realistic expectations for these conversations
- Keep in touch with these people and be willing to share information that you think might be valuable to them or their industry
- You can gain an inside perspective on your industry of interest, as well as careers that you might not know to exist
- What do you need to do to have a successful informational interview?
- Prepare a list of questions beforehand that will bring in the information that you are looking for
- Research the person/company/industry thoroughly so that you don't waste anyone's time
- Set up a Google alert for material that is related to the industry in questions
- Prepare in order to avoid awkward moments of silence
- Ask important questions that will help you with your goals while allowing them to talk about themselves
- Listen intently to the answers that they give and make sure to take notes of the key points, not necessarily everything
- Make sure to ask ending questions that will eventually lead to more contact in the future
- Is there anyone else that you think I should speak to?
- Is there anything else that I should have asked?
- Let them know that you are listening by making eye contact, taking notes, and acknowledging what they are saying
- The focus is to pick their brain for information and establish a connection, so try not to interrupt them and make sure to follow up
- People want to know 3 things when it comes to any long-term relationship
3 Key Points:
- Informational interviews differ from job interviews because the conversation is not about asking for a job, more a mutually-beneficial meeting that helps the networks of both parties.
- It's important to approach these conversations with realistic expectations. Approach the conversation to gain insight, not a job offer.
- Be prepared to ask the right questions, but more importantly, make sure to listen intently to their answers rather than focusing on the next question.
Tweetable Quotes:
- "Networking is the number 1 way that most people are finding a job, advancing their careers, or finding new opportunities in general." - Sheila Boysen-Rotelli
- "Informational interviews can help you identify the best job targets that align with your interest and your skills." - Sheila Boysen-Rotelli
- "Most people are happy to help someone who shows initiative." - Sheila Boysen-Rotelli
- "There's nothing worse than scheduling an information interview and arriving without any prepared questions." - Sheila Boysen-Rotelli
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