What are the benefits of informational interviewing?
· Find out or learn more about career paths you did not know existed.
· Become informed about the realities of working in a particular field, industry, or position.
· Learn about the culture or departments at a specific organization.
How to conduct informational interviews:
· Utilize your network to acquire names of individuals and employers. Your network could include relatives, coworkers, mentors, community members in volunteer organizations or religious groups, graduate school/college peers, or LinkedIn users.
· Compile a list and then reach out to these individuals.
· Craft your message in a professional manner that is clear and concise. · Introduce yourself, identify the reason you are contacting the individual, and inquire as to whether they would be open to scheduling a time for an informational interview.
· Ask for 20-30 minutes of someone's time.
· Make contact via email, phone, or LinkedIn message. Follow up in one or two weeks if need be.
· Research the individual or company before the interview to help you tailor your questions.
· Prepare a list of questions. Next week's newsletter will cover questions to ask in an informational interview.
· Conduct the interview. Remember, informational interviews are for information and to ask for advice- not a job.
· Hopefully the interviewee offers referrals of other people to contact. If not, ask for names of others in their network who you could conduct an informational interview with.
· Follow up with a thank you message.
More details at: https://vimeo.com/355027070