Getting All The Information
/So you got your informational interview! Awesome, now the real work starts. I’m a former athlete and one thing is key in athletics - preparation. Preparation is also going to be the key to this meeting! Hopefully, you got your 30 minutes in a space and time that’s convenient for both of you - more convenient for them if need be. So what are you going to talk about in 30 minutes?
Anytime I have an informational interview I figure out what I want to know from the person and what key questions I think I need to ask to get the answer I want. However, I do not start the meeting by firing off questions. I also don’t ask rapid fire questions throughout. Yes it’s an informational “interview” but really, it should be treated as a conversation. Here’s how I structure the convo:
(If at a coffee shop or lunch) I let them know this is on me as a thank you - yes I pay
Thank you & small talk. If you’re waiting on your drink, you have to small talk. This is a great time to use the common interests. You could talk about the game that weekend or upcoming, you could remark on how you love the coffee place, you can honestly talk about the weather. Whatever it is, get yourself comfortable.
Give a lengthier introduction of yourself - no more than a minute.
Re-iterate why you wanted to meet with them. Talk about your excitement, what you hope to learn.
Ask them to tell them a little more about themselves. You can use this language “I’ve read a little bit about you from (insert source) but I’d like to hear a little bit more about who you are from well, you. Yes you’re the XX at XX but I’m curious to know how you got there.”
Boom, first real question out of the way. Whatever you hear in this answer, retain it because you’re going to want to reference it!
Ask a couple follow on questions that touch on some of the things they mentioned. You want an easy segway into your REAL questions.
Okay now we’re at your REAL questions. What do you want to know? You may be thinking I don’t know what I don’t know, so I’m at this blog to find out. Okay well - here are some topics and questions. You can use these as a starting point or think of something in the same vein. In bold will be what you want to know, the right is what to ask.
How to get a position like theirs - What do you feel like are the key skills someone needs to master to get in XXXX role?
What hurdles might I have to clear - What’s one of the biggest challenges you faced getting to where you are today? How did you overcome them?
Making yourself a noticeable employee - When you’re looking to hire someone onto your team or into your company, what do you look for?
You want to gain perspective on the company - Mention something you know about the business of the company, ask for their opinion after giving yours
You want to work at the company they work for - What does your best day look like? What does your worst day look like?
What’s it like to be them - What does a typical day look like for you?
You want them to be your mentor - Literally, bring up any real problem you’re facing right now and ask for their advice.
I will tell you now, it is 100% necessary to map out what you want to learn in advance! You don’t have to be super prescriptive above with the questions but having an idea will help you truly manage the meeting.
*Real quick on note taking - feel free to but give the person you’re talking to a heads up so it’s not weird. You can say “I feel like I’m going to get pretty good insights from you today and I don’t want to forgot. Is it okay if I take notes?”
At the end of the meeting, always always ask if they think there’s anyone else you should talk to. You should also thank them again and if you want to meet with them again, mention it. Some people will want to, some people won’t. The important thing is, you’ve gotten through an informational interview and your network has at least one new tie. GO YOU!
I’m curious to hear how you’ve managed these meetings. If you’ve been asked to have one, what was it like for you as the recipient? What do you wish the person asking would’ve done?
