How Do You Conduct An Informational Interview?
Once you’ve arranged an informational interview, prepare as if it were a job interview. Do your homework. Prepare 10 relevant, clear questions. Asking for subjective answers is fine if the knowledge is within the person’s area of expertise. Arrive promptly and be prepared to wait. Set the meeting in motion right away by introducing yourself, explaining your goals for the meeting and reassuring the person that you’ll keep the interview short. Ask questions about the industry’s trends and forecasts, as well as questions about the educational background of the person you’re interviewing. Refrain from asking for a job, though you can ask about internships. Find out how your particular experiences fit into a career in your field of interest. Wrap up the interview within 30 minutes. Leave a résumé if you’re interested in an internship, or if the person asks for one.
