Transcript: How to prepare for an informational interview
Now that you have sent those messages requesting the informational interviews, let’s learn how to prepare for it.
It’s important to know a few things about the person you will be talking to, and to help you know exactly what you should know, we created a document called “Know your professional guide.”
You should be looking for things like position, responsibilities, and skills needed in your specific area, and by doing so you will be able to have a better conversation with the professional.
The second thing you will want to have prepared for an informational interview are the questions you are going to ask.
As discussed in the “2-Hour Job Search” by Steve Dalton, you could use the TIARA method to help you prepare your questions.
Here are the kinds of questions you should be asking.
Ask questions that help you understand the role such as: What are your favorite aspects of your role? What is your least favorite?
Ask questions that help you understand their path: How did you get where you are today?
Ask questions that give you an assignment: What classes should I take? What skills should I learn? What book should I read? Who else could I talk to?
Make sure you choose 3–5 questions to ask in the interview. And always make sure you ask a question that gives you an assignment. This allows for an easy way to follow-up with the professional later.
Remember that you don’t always have to use the specific questions you prepared. Depending on how the conversation flows, you might find you want to ask different questions, and that’s okay.
As long as you ask insightful, genuine questions, you will have a great informational interview.