A few years ago I agreed to give an informational interview to a recent college grad as a favor to a family friend. It was not a success. As soon as we started the video call it was clear they hadn’t done their homework. They knew very little about me, hadn’t prepared questions in advance, and got continually distracted by their cat. The whole thing was highly unprofessional. You don’t a second chance to make a good first impression.
But good news! You can avoid this fate and nail an informational interview in 7 Easy Steps:
Start with a professional ask
Whether the conversation has been set up by someone in your network or you’re requesting a conversation on your own, lead with a professional ask. Explain who you are, how you came to learn about this person, and why you’re reaching out to them specifically. Provide a preview of what you’d like to discuss in the informational interview, and what you’re hoping to learn. Be polite, gracious, and thankful, and remember that flattery can go a long way toward getting to a yes.
Research their background
With technology, it’s easy to find general information about most anyone. Check out their LinkedIn profile, Google their name to find relevant news articles or accolades, and look at their staff profile on their company page if applicable. Look for things you can easily remember and pepper into your conversation. Maybe you went to the same university. Share these factoids at the beginning of your conversation! It will help you establish a connection and will let them know you’ve done your research.
Research their current organization and role
You learned background info in your initial research, so now it’s time to spend time looking at your interview subject’s company website. Make sure you understand what the company does and how this person plays a role in its success. Not clear? Write it down as a question! If you have other questions as you go through the website jot those down too! This type of preparation will help you have a more successful conversation and will reflect your potential fit as a member of this organization in the future.
Prep your question list
During the informational interview your job is to lead the conversation. Do not make the other person – who is already generously giving you their time – come up with things to talk about. Prepare a list of 8-12 open-ended questions to explore in your conversation. Write them down and bring them with you. Referring to notes in a meeting shows preparation. A few of my favorites are: what’s the most unexpected thing you love about your job?; what’s your biggest challenge?; is there anything I haven’t asked you about that you think I should know?
Confirm meeting time
A few days before the scheduled conversation, follow up with your interview subject to confirm the date, time, and location. This is a professional courtesy which lets the person know you’re prepared and that you’ll be thoughtful with their time. It’s also another opportunity to create goodwill and show gratitude.
Be mindful of time during the conversation
It’s finally here! Time for the big chat. As you get started, be sure to confirm that now is a still a good time (if you’re talking on the phone), and say something along the lines of, “Thank you for making time for me. I know you only have 45 minutes so I’d like to dive right in.” Then, track the time as you go. Skip questions you’ve written down if your conversation is taking longer than anticipated, and be sure to allocate 5-10 minutes to wrap up and say goodbye. End on time.
Send a thank you note
Handwritten thank you notes are a thing of the past, and that’s what makes them so remarkable. Take four minutes to write a thank you note and put it in the mail. If that’s not possible, or if you need to get something out sooner, send a thank you via email. Regardless of your medium, include a reference to something you discussed in your thank you note. This helps your interviewer remember you and the conversation, keeping you top of mind for future opportunities.
Remember: an informational interview isa job interview
One of my mentors was fond of saying, “If you want advice, ask for a job. If you want a job, ask for advice.” This has certainly been true in my career, and I’ve seen it work for others. My first post-college job came as a result of a connection through a mentoring program in college. My second job was because of a referral from a colleague at the first gig, and I was later recruited to a new position by a different college from my first job. It’s true that relationships can make a huge difference in your career. I want to acknowledge the inequity of this reality, and encourage you to request informational interviews as a way of expanding your access to people and opportunities. Approach these conversations like a job interview, because you never know when they just might be one.
Want more? Check out 7 Steps to Nail the Interview and How To Get A Job: Nonprofit Edition.
