How to Have an Informational Interview - My SECRET to Networking & Job Seeking!

TL;DR

Learn how to have a successful informational interview and leverage it to make better career decisions.

Transcript

• Hey! This is Self Made Millennial. I'm Madeline Mann. Today, I have the five steps for you of how to have a killer informational interview. In this video, I'm gonna take you from the very start of how to find these people to talk to. All the steps along the way, all the way till the end of the interview to make sure that you make the most out of ... Read More

Key Insights

• 💄 Informational interviews provide unique perspectives and help in making informed career decisions.
• 👯 LinkedIn is a valuable resource for finding people to interview.
• 😑 The initial email should be concise and express the intention to learn from the person.
• 👨‍🔬 Preparation and research are essential to make the most out of an informational interview.
• 😷 Leading the conversation and asking relevant questions ensures a fruitful exchange of information.
• 🙇 Following up with a thank-you note and continuing to nurture the relationship is crucial for long-term networking.
• 👯 Don't be afraid to reach out to people, even if you don't know them well.

Questions & Answers

Q: How can I find people to interview for informational interviews?

You can use LinkedIn to search for individuals based on job titles, college majors, or industry keywords. You can also ask friends and family for connections who might be able to help.

Q: Should I only reach out to people I know for informational interviews?

It's okay to reach out to people you don't know as long as you introduce yourself properly in the initial email and express your genuine interest in learning from them.

Q: How should I prepare for an informational interview?

Research the person, their company, and their industry. Understand their current role, career trajectory, and any challenges they face. Prepare specific questions to guide the conversation.

Q: What should I ask during an informational interview?

Ask about the person's daily tasks, what they enjoy most about their job, and the challenges they face. Inquire about their career path, starting from where they began and how they advanced. Seek advice on building skills and making yourself attractive to hiring managers in that career.

Key Insights:

• Informational interviews provide unique perspectives and help in making informed career decisions.
• LinkedIn is a valuable resource for finding people to interview.
• The initial email should be concise and express the intention to learn from the person.
• Preparation and research are essential to make the most out of an informational interview.
• Leading the conversation and asking relevant questions ensures a fruitful exchange of information.
• Following up with a thank-you note and continuing to nurture the relationship is crucial for long-term networking.
• Don't be afraid to reach out to people, even if you don't know them well.
• Personal anecdotes and networking success stories emphasize the importance of informational interviews and building meaningful relationships within your industry.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Informational interviews are conversations with people in a specific career, industry, or company to gain insights and make informed career decisions.

• Step 1: Find someone to interview by searching on LinkedIn or asking friends and family for connections.

• Step 2: Send an introductory email to the person, introducing yourself, stating your interests, and expressing the intention to learn from them.

• Step 3: Prepare for the interview by researching the person, their company, and their industry. Prepare specific questions to lead the conversation.

• Step 4: Conduct the conversation by telling the person about yourself briefly and asking about their role, career path, and advice for building skills in that career.

• Step 5: After the interview, send a thank-you note or email to show gratitude and continue nurturing the relationship.