3 Ways to Ace Your Informational Interview

I’m spilling all of the corporate tea in this “Ask Breakroom Buddha” series.
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What is an Informational Interview?

When you hear the words, “Informational Interview” what comes to mind? You might picture someone nervously chatting on the phone or awkwardly asking questions over a cup of piping hot coffee. While both forms of interviewing still happen, the Informational Interview tends to be a little more laid back.

An “Informational Interview” is a formal or non-formal meeting setup between a job seeker and an industry professional. The two meet to discuss industry topics such as work culture, the job seeker’s potential, and the outlook on the industry.

Other professional occurrences that also fall into the “Informational Interview” bucket include:

• Informal Coffee Chats & Meetings
• Networking & Industry Cocktail Events
• Job Shadowing Experiences
• Questions via Social Media Platforms (i.e. LinkedIn)

If you’re lucky enough to successfully receive a response or invitation to set up a meeting with a working professional, the last thing you want to do is waste their time. There are 3 key topics you should keep in mind.

What to Discuss During an Informational Interview

• YOU: Strategically drop hints about yourself and how you’re killing your career journey. Brag a little, but don’t overdo it! Remember: you’re looking to learn about what the industry has to offer and get advice from the professional.
  
• THE PROFESSIONAL: If the meeting is planned, it’s a good idea to research the professional beforehand. Once the basics are out of the way, ask them about things such as their journey, challenges, goals, and the trajectory of the industry. If the vibe is right, it’s also okay to get a little personal (i.e. ask them appropriate non-work-related questions).
  
• THE COMPANY: If the company that they’re working for is where you want to be, then you need to put your investigator hat on, and dig. You want to make sure that the company aligns with your beliefs, work style, and overall career goals. (learn how to define those values here)
  
• *BONUS * If you’re inquiring about specific roles, and you ask the professional to tap into their network, make sure you’ve already applied for the role, and that you’re prepared to send your resume to them. From there, it’s up to you to put in the work to make sure you stand out from the competition!

Remember, in the end, this meeting is a two-way street, and a good professional will happily help but don’t expect them to pull all the weight.

I’ve done about 50% of the hard work for you, and put together a few questions you can ask during your informational interviews. See them below!

Questions To Ask During An Informational Interview

• What current issues and trends in your field do you think everyone should know about/be aware of?
  
• What types of challenges tend to come up in this field? How do industry professionals solve these problems?
  
• Can you recommend trade journals, magazines, or professional associations which would be helpful for my professional development?
  
• What are you currently reading, watching, and listening to?
  
• Do you have any current goals or milestones you’d like to achieve?

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Featured Image by: Marten Newhall