4 answers
Kayton
Student
Mililani, Hawaii
3
Questions
Asked
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What is the first step to conducting an informational interview?
research career fields and organizations
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4 answers
Steph McDonald
Recruiter
9
Answers
Charleston, South Carolina
Updated
Steph’s Answer
HI Kayton!
I'm a recruiter and have done LOTS of informational interviews, so I'm excited to share some advice!
First, be prepared. The person who you're talking to is busy and if they were willing to prioritize you then you should make sure you're using their time wisely. Part of that preparation should be reviewing their career and figuring out what you want to know more about. Do you want to know more about their career path? The company they work for? How they broke into the space they work in?
Second, create a list of thoughtful questions and follow up questions to dig into the areas you are curious about. You should lean into your curiosity and share your excitement to learn from them.
Finally, thank them for their time and send a personal note to them and connect with them on LinkedIN!
Good luck!
I'm a recruiter and have done LOTS of informational interviews, so I'm excited to share some advice!
First, be prepared. The person who you're talking to is busy and if they were willing to prioritize you then you should make sure you're using their time wisely. Part of that preparation should be reviewing their career and figuring out what you want to know more about. Do you want to know more about their career path? The company they work for? How they broke into the space they work in?
Second, create a list of thoughtful questions and follow up questions to dig into the areas you are curious about. You should lean into your curiosity and share your excitement to learn from them.
Finally, thank them for their time and send a personal note to them and connect with them on LinkedIN!
Good luck!
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6193
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Kayton!
First Step to Conducting an Informational Interview
The first step to conducting an informational interview is to research career fields and organizations. Before reaching out to potential interviewees, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of the specific career fields and organizations you are interested in. This research will help you identify the professionals you want to connect with and prepare relevant questions for the informational interview.
When researching career fields, it’s important to explore various industries and job roles that align with your interests and skills. This may involve reviewing job descriptions, industry reports, and professional networking platforms to gain insights into different career paths. Additionally, understanding the organizational landscape within these career fields can provide valuable context for the informational interview process.
By conducting thorough research on career fields and organizations, you can tailor your informational interview requests to professionals who can offer meaningful insights and advice related to your specific areas of interest. This proactive approach demonstrates your genuine interest in learning from industry experts and can lead to more productive informational interviews.
Overall, the first step to conducting an informational interview involves diligent research into career fields and organizations to identify suitable professionals for networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
Harvard Business Review: The Harvard Business Review is a reputable source for career development insights and best practices. It provides expert perspectives on networking, informational interviews, and professional growth strategies.
Forbes: Forbes offers valuable resources on career exploration, industry trends, and networking strategies. It is a trusted source for understanding the dynamics of different career fields and organizational landscapes.
The Muse: The Muse provides practical guidance on informational interviewing, including tips for researching industries, identifying key professionals, and making the most of informational interview opportunities. It is a reliable source for career-related advice and resources.
These sources were instrumental in providing authoritative information on conducting informational interviews and navigating the early stages of the process.
Thank You,
God Bless
First Step to Conducting an Informational Interview
The first step to conducting an informational interview is to research career fields and organizations. Before reaching out to potential interviewees, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of the specific career fields and organizations you are interested in. This research will help you identify the professionals you want to connect with and prepare relevant questions for the informational interview.
When researching career fields, it’s important to explore various industries and job roles that align with your interests and skills. This may involve reviewing job descriptions, industry reports, and professional networking platforms to gain insights into different career paths. Additionally, understanding the organizational landscape within these career fields can provide valuable context for the informational interview process.
By conducting thorough research on career fields and organizations, you can tailor your informational interview requests to professionals who can offer meaningful insights and advice related to your specific areas of interest. This proactive approach demonstrates your genuine interest in learning from industry experts and can lead to more productive informational interviews.
Overall, the first step to conducting an informational interview involves diligent research into career fields and organizations to identify suitable professionals for networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
Harvard Business Review: The Harvard Business Review is a reputable source for career development insights and best practices. It provides expert perspectives on networking, informational interviews, and professional growth strategies.
Forbes: Forbes offers valuable resources on career exploration, industry trends, and networking strategies. It is a trusted source for understanding the dynamics of different career fields and organizational landscapes.
The Muse: The Muse provides practical guidance on informational interviewing, including tips for researching industries, identifying key professionals, and making the most of informational interview opportunities. It is a reliable source for career-related advice and resources.
These sources were instrumental in providing authoritative information on conducting informational interviews and navigating the early stages of the process.
Thank You,
God Bless
Kwin Nefertiti Javelosa, MSA
Auditor
1
Answer
Pennington, New Jersey
Updated
Kwin Nefertiti’s Answer
I perceive an informal interview as a valuable opportunity to network with seasoned professionals. It's a relaxed setting where you can share about yourself, your current role, and your future ambitions. When people understand these aspects, they can provide you with meaningful insights, be it through shared wisdom, career guidance, or anecdotes from their own experiences that you can relate to or learn from.
Networking broadens your understanding of the people in your circle, offering deeper insights into their professional journeys and personal lives. This, in turn, aids you in reflecting on your own aspirations, providing clearer direction for your future career path and the steps you need to undertake to achieve your goals.
Networking broadens your understanding of the people in your circle, offering deeper insights into their professional journeys and personal lives. This, in turn, aids you in reflecting on your own aspirations, providing clearer direction for your future career path and the steps you need to undertake to achieve your goals.
Kimberly Martinez
Psychology Researcher
17
Answers
San Jose, California
Updated
Kimberly’s Answer
The first step to conducting an informational interview in research career fields and organizations is to identify potential individuals who work in these fields and whom you would like to learn from. This could include professionals, researchers, or employees in relevant organizations. Once you have a list of potential contacts, reach out to them with a polite and concise email or message expressing your interest in their work and requesting an informational interview. Clearly state your purpose, explain why you are interested in their insights, and propose a convenient time for a meeting or a call. Remember to be respectful of their time and be well-prepared with thoughtful questions to make the most of the opportunity.