An informational interview is a great opportunity to learn about a new career path. The interview allows you to share questions about a job or industry from a seasoned veteran. Ideally, you want to get as much information as possible from the interviewee. To do so, you need to plan ahead.
Here are tips to help you have an efficient informational interview so you can get the most value out of the meeting.
1. Conduct Research
Learn about the person you will be interviewing. Start with an online search of this individual. You can also look for the individual on LinkedIn and other social media platforms. This allows you to learn about the person and their professional skills and experience.
Take note of anything you find you have in common with an interviewee. You may be able to bring up anything you have in common with an interviewee during the interview. This can help you break the ice with an interviewee at the beginning of the interview.
2. Make a List of Questions
Think about what you want to get out of the interview. Then, craft a list of questions to ask your interviewee. These questions can range from basic to complex. Remember, there is no such thing as a “bad” question to ask. You can even conduct a mock interview with a family member or friend so you can get comfortable asking questions before your meeting.
Resist the urge to shy away from tough questions in your interview, too. The more you ask during your interview, the more you can learn from the interviewee. From here, you can get insights that may help you take the next step forward in your career.
3. Keep the Informational Interview Brief
Be respectful of your interviewee’s time. If you have a time frame for your interview, stick to it. And if you cannot ask all of your questions during your interview, try not to stress about it. Instead, ask your interviewee if you can follow up with him or her at a later time.
At the end of your interview, thank the interviewee for their time. Encourage the interviewee to keep in touch and follow up with him or her. You can send a thank you note to express appreciation for the informational interview. This can help you build a relationship with your interviewee that extends long into the future.
Get Ready for an Informational Interview
If you are experiencing burnout at work or want to explore new career options, an informational interview can provide immense value. The interview lets you get firsthand insights into a job or industry. After the interview, you may find you’re ready to pursue a new career.
Prepare as much as you can for an informational interview. Meanwhile, if you want to consider new career opportunities, Accurate Staffing can help. Our professional recruiters can learn about you and your career goals. We can then put you in touch with top employers in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. For more information, please contact us today.