Networking

##What is an informational interview?##

An informational interview is a chance to learn more about the responsibilities and growth opportunities in a role, gain insight into an industry, and build your network. It can help you determine if the career is a good fit for you and how to best prepare for it.

However, keep in mind that the informational interview is not your big chance to ask for a job. If you tell someone you want to meet to learn more about their field or company, and then end by asking for a job, they might feel deceived by the sudden request. If the conversation leads to a job down the road, great. But don’t create a situation where the interviewee feels they were tricked.

##Look for connections##

Start by talking to your family, friends, and mentors about your goals. There is a good chance someone in your network can make an introduction to a person in your target career. You might be surprised to learn that your little brother’s soccer coach works for your dream company or your best friend’s neighbor works in the job you want to learn more about.

If your connections aren’t able to introduce you to someone in your target career, sites like LinkedIn can be a good place to make new connections. If you attended college, your alumni network can also be a valuable resource. While it can be daunting to reach out to people without a formal introduction, many people will still respond favorably if you show you’re genuinely interested in what they do.

##Make the ask##

Once you have identified someone you want to interview, reach out via phone or email. Be sure to mention how you got the person’s name. If you were put in contact by a mutual acquaintance, it’s a good chance to remind them of the connection.

Ask them if they have time to schedule a 20-30 minute conversation, and emphasize that you’re interested in learning more about their role. They will be more likely to respond favorably if they feel confident that you’re not going to ask them for a job.

Also, be prepared to seize the moment. If the person says they have a few minutes to chat, make sure your questions are prepared in advance so that you can get the most out of the conversation.

##Prepare for the interview##

While the informational interview is a chance to learn more about a career or field, you’ll get more out of the interview if you do your homework in advance. Research the role and learn about the person you’re about to meet. If you ask questions that could easily be answered by a google search, you’ve wasted the interviewee’s time and lost your opportunity to gain more valuable information. Instead, come prepared with open-ended questions like “What are some of the challenges in your role?” and “What are the skills you need to be successful in your job?” Asking the interviewee to reflect on their experiences will give you better insight into the role and can also help you to build a more lasting connection.

##Conduct the interview##

Be punctual! That holds true whether you’re meeting in person or chatting over the phone. The person you’re interviewing is giving you their time. Show that you appreciate their efforts by sticking with the schedule and showing up prepared.

Begin the meeting by sharing information about your academic and work background, as well as your objectives for the meeting. Use your questions to help guide the interview, but allow the conversation to flow naturally. Keep an eye on the time and acknowledge when you’ve reached the end of your scheduled meeting. If they offer to continue talking, feel free to ask more questions - just make sure you’ve given them an out and that they’re not fidgeting because they’re late for their next meeting.

##Follow up##

You’ve been given a gift of time and information. Show your appreciation by sending the person you interviewed a thank you note. (A handwritten note is a nice touch!)

If they offered to introduce you to another colleague or share information about a conference, this is also an opportunity to reiterate your interest in learning more. Just be sure to follow up if they make a new introduction!

Remember that every conversation is an opportunity. Whether the informational interview leads to a job or helps you realize that the career you had in mind isn’t a good fit for you after all, it can give you the tools to make informed decisions about your career path.

Chances are, you already have a social media account, or you’re at least familiar with sites like Facebook and Twitter. They’ve become a key source for news and entertainment, as well as a way to stay in touch with friends and family around the globe. If used well, social media can also be a powerful tool to build and maintain your professional network and learn about new opportunities.

##First impressions matter##

If you’ve primarily used social media for personal purposes - to share vacation photos or that video of your cat playing in a box - take a moment to review your online presence. If a prospective employer viewed your Facebook page, would they have a positive first impression? Remove posts that could show you in a negative light. For greater control over what can be seen online, set your personal accounts to private.

##Build your professional identity online##

If you’re looking to expand your network, consider joining LinkedIn. This social media site is specifically built for professional networking. Use your profile to showcase your professional experiences and shape your online identity.

If you’re still in school, it’s not too early to begin building your LinkedIn profile. Even if you’ve never had a job, think about the extracurricular roles you’ve held and the skills you’ve developed through those experiences. Organizing a food drive at school requires organization and follow through. Participating in sports requires commitment and the ability to work well with a team.

If you have a dream job in mind, check out the profiles of people with that career. What was their path to that role? Review other profiles to gain a sense of the types of skills and experiences to highlight in your profile. Keep in mind that norms can vary across industries.

While LinkedIn is widely used across professions, other sites may be more common in a specific field. For instance, many designers use Dribble to share their work and gain inspiration from other designers. Talk to people in your field or do a quick search to learn about the social media sites most relevant to your profession.

##Use social media as a tool for engagement##

Creating a profile on a social media site is the start, it’s not the end goal. If you just list your professional experiences on LinkedIn and expect job offers and invites to flow in, you may be waiting a long time. The real benefit comes when you actively engage in social media.

• Stay informed: follow organizations and thought leaders in your field to stay up-to-date about industry trends.
• Share information: if you read a great article that’s relevant to your professional interests, share it with your network. (Go for quality over quantity - your connections won’t thank you for oversharing.)
• Stay connected: look for people you already know and connect with them on LinkedIn. If you’re still in school, connect with your classmates and instructors.
• Meet new people: maybe you want to be a software engineer, but you don’t know anyone in tech. Or you want to learn more about a company’s culture to determine whether it’s the right fit for you. LinkedIn can help you identify people for informational interviews.

Reminder: If you’re reaching out to someone out of the blue, be sure to provide information about why you are seeking to connect. Your invite is more likely to be met with a yes if the person understands that you are seeking an informational interview, not reaching out to ask for a job or try to sell them something.

##Social media is just one aspect of networking##

While technology has made it easier for us to connect with new people and share information, it’s not a panacea for all job-search challenges. It’s a tool that can help open doors for further communication. Connections are strengthened through in-person meetings and phone calls. Explore social media, but don’t forget to look up from your phone and engage in conversation.

##Networking is a two-way street##

As people help you navigate your career, look for opportunities to give back. While you might not be able to give career advice to an established professional, there is a good chance that you have other knowledge that they lack. It could be as simple as a book recommendation or travel advice - don’t discount the value of your experiences. Look for opportunities to share as well as receive information.