5 Informational Interview Mistakes to Avoid!

Summary

In this video, career expert Jeff shares five common mistakes to avoid when conducting informational interviews, offering actionable tips to help you leave a positive impression on professionals. He covers topics like clarifying time and topic expectations, steering conversations back on track, and the importance of taking notes. Jeff also highlights the significance of regular follow-ups with your network and how to close your chats effectively. Plus, he provides a Google Sheets template to help you track connections and maintain relationships. Perfect for students and young professionals looking to enhance their networking skills.

Takeaways

• 😀 Clarify the time and topic commitment before the informational interview to avoid appearing unprepared or disorganized.
• 😀 Be specific in your request for the informational interview—mention particular aspects of the person's experience that you're interested in, not just general topics.
• 😀 When your counterpart goes off-topic, politely steer the conversation back by acknowledging what they said and gently refocusing on the key areas you want to discuss.
• 😀 Always bring a notepad for note-taking during the interview to show you're serious about learning and to help keep the conversation on track.
• 😀 If the interview is over the phone, feel free to pause and take notes, while politely explaining you're jotting down important points.
• 😀 Regular follow-up with your professional connections is crucial. Stay in touch even if it’s just a quick check-in to stay top of mind when opportunities arise.
• 😀 Use a networking spreadsheet to track your professional connections, including their name, role, and last contact date, to ensure you stay organized and consistent with follow-ups.
• 😀 Prioritize three key professional relationships to maintain, and be sure to touch base with them periodically (e.g., once a month or quarter).
• 😀 Update your connections on your progress, job search, or career journey to keep the relationship meaningful and show that you value their input.
• 😀 End your informational interview with a strong, thoughtful thank-you, referencing specific points from the conversation to show you were engaged and attentive.

Q & A

Why are informational interviews considered a double-edged sword?

Informational interviews can be a double-edged sword because while they provide an opportunity to make a strong positive impression, small mistakes can harm your chances of advancing in your career, potentially damaging your reputation or future opportunities.

What is the first mistake to avoid before an informational interview?

The first mistake to avoid is not clarifying the time or topic of the interview in advance. You should be clear about the duration of the meeting (preferably 30 minutes) and the specific topics you want to discuss to avoid appearing disorganized or unprepared.

How should you phrase the topics you want to discuss in an informational interview?

You should be specific about the topics you want to discuss, such as, 'I’d love to learn more about your move from management consulting to the sales team at Google, specifically your thought process and the challenges you faced.' This shows you've done your research and helps elicit more meaningful responses.

What should you do if the person you're interviewing starts going off-topic?

If the interviewee goes off-topic, acknowledge their point briefly, and then redirect the conversation back to the topics that matter most to you. For example, you can say, 'It’s impressive how you found that solution with limited resources, but can we go back to discussing the skills you developed during that project?'

What is a good practice when it comes to note-taking during an informational interview?

It’s important to bring something other than your smartphone for note-taking, like a notepad. This shows you're serious about the conversation. If the interview is over the phone, you can pause to take notes without it feeling intrusive. If in-person or on video, ask for permission to take notes partway through the chat to keep it casual.

How can you ensure you follow up effectively with your professional connections?

To follow up effectively, use a simple networking spreadsheet to track your connections, and make a habit of following up consistently. Aim to keep in touch with a select few people every month, quarter, or six months. Update them on your job search, share insights, and add value.

What is the main reason for consistently following up with your professional connections?

Consistently following up helps you stay top of mind for your contacts. Even if you don’t ask for help every time, your regular updates build a relationship over time, making it more likely they'll assist you when the right opportunity arises.

What should you do at the end of an informational interview?

At the end of an informational interview, thank the person for their time and mention specific things you discussed during the conversation. This shows you were engaged and actively listening, rather than just focusing on asking questions or getting a job referral.

How can you avoid coming off as too formal during an informational interview?

To avoid seeming too formal, wait until about 5-10 minutes into the interview to ask if you can take notes. This keeps the conversation feeling more relaxed and spontaneous, rather than overly structured from the outset.

What’s one common mistake people make after an informational interview, and how can it impact their career?

One common mistake is not following up regularly with the connections made during informational interviews. This can have a significant impact on your career because you may miss out on future opportunities and fail to stay on their radar when a relevant job opens up.