Transcript: How to conduct an informational interview
Now that you have set up an appointment with your professional, it’s go time. Informational interviews can seem intimidating, but don’t worry, in this video we will show you all you need to know to conduct an informational interview. Try to think of it as just a conversation where you will learn from a professional, so be prepared to ask questions. It will all work out.
Before starting the interview, set a 15-minute timer on your phone. Remember, professionals are busy so keep the interview brief. Once 15 minutes have passed, thank them and explain your time is up. If the professional wants to continue the conversation, it is okay to talk for another 5 –10 minutes but never go over 30 minutes, even when they say it is okay. Staying close to the length of time you originally requested is important because it increases the chances of them agreeing to talk to you again in the future.
Here are a few suggestions to help you get started. Have an ice breaker question ready. You can ask questions like “how is your day going?”, or “Is there anything exciting happening in the company this week?” Ice break questions help you start building rapport with the professional. So, feel comfortable spending up to 5 minutes on this part.
Next transition to your introduction. A good introduction is brief and includes your background, strengths, and skills. You can say something like "Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today. To give you a quick background, I am studying business management with an emphasis in marketing. I am reaching out to professionals to learn how I can better prepare myself for a career in digital marketing one day. I have gained SEO and social media marketing skills through several classes and projects, and I am excited to learn how these skills can contribute to this industry during our meeting. Would you mind if I asked you a few questions about your position and experience in your company?"
After they say yes, start asking your prepared questions. Avoid asking yes or no questions, instead focus on open ended questions like “What is your favorite aspect of your role?” Even though you have prepared several questions you may not ask all of them during your informational interview. Allow for the conversation to flow naturally. You might even find yourself asking impromptu questions, and that is okay. You can always schedule a follow-up interview to ask some of the prepared questions you didn’t get to the first time.
An informational interview is not the place to ask for a job. Your focus is on building a relationship and learning as much as you can. Asking for a job can put the professional in an awkward position and potentially turn them off from helping you in the future. Also, don’t mention your informational interview is for a class assignment. While that may be true in some cases, it can send a message that you are just going through the motions of an assignment rather than really being interested in learning from them.
Before you finish your informational interview make sure you ask for an assignment. As previously mentioned in the “How to Prepare for Informational Interview” video, you can ask for recommendations on books, courses, certificates, and many other things. Also, don’t forget to ask for referrals. Ask if there is anyone else in the company that could potentially talk to you to answer questions about your field of interest.
Thank the professional one more time before you leave, and then start working on any assignments or action items given to you.
Good luck with your interview!