Job Search Unplugged: The Six MUST ASK Questions (Part 4 of 4)
Now that you have secured an informational interview and done some in-depth research, you need to draft some good questions. GOOD QUESTIONS WILL HELP YOU STAND OUT.
I must tell you that 90% of the people I meet each year are invisible. I don't remember them. People stop me on the sidewalk every month... "Hey Brian..." I have no idea who these people are. They DIDN'T STAND OUT. They were another box of cereal in an aisle full of 100+ brands.
So take my advice below. Do the extra research and draft great questions. You'll thank me later.
Following are the six questions you must ask in an informational interview:
1- I have read your bio and LinkedIn profile, but I'd love to hear in your own words how you got to this point in your career? (This breaks the ice and puts your contact on a pedestal. Plus, everyone loves talking about themselves. Take great notes because they'll mention other companies they have worked for and other important nuggets).
2 & 3 - Two of your burning job search questions that you'd like their perspective on. I am a career changer, how difficult would it be to break into your department? What professional organizations should I belong to? How did you find the other people in this department? What is the profile of someone who is successful at your organization? etc.
4 & 5 - Two questions that will allow you to leverage your research. I love referencing news items on blogs or newspapers. For example: I read on the PRWeek blog last week that your firm won a large account with Apple. What kinds of programs will you be doing for them? How is this office involved? How is that going to impact your staffing needs? Or another: There was an interesting article in The New York Times this morning about the convergence of marketing, advertising and public relations in the digital space. How is your industry/company positioned to provide the most value to clients?
6 - Ask for more contacts. This was a very helpful conversation. I really appreciate your advice. Could you please put me in touch with a couple people in your network for similar networking conversations?
YOUR GOAL OF EVERY INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW IS TO GET TWO MORE NAMES. THAT'S IT.
Why? Because the company isn't going to hire you that day. Probably not that month. So leverage the meeting to meet people in their professional network. You need to do 30-40 informational interviews before you start to see a return on your time investment.
What you are doing is enlisting "internal job search ambassadors" who are going to start calling you when they hear about openings at their company. They will also go to lunch with friends who mention openings at their companies and will think of you and call you!
A great journalist cultivates inside sources. A great job seeker does the same.
Don't expect instant gratification. This is about hard work. But if you follow the steps we discussed in this four-part series, you'll be able to choose where you want to work and not settle.
People who settle play it safe and hate their jobs.
I must tell you that 90% of the people I meet each year are invisible. I don't remember them. People stop me on the sidewalk every month... "Hey Brian..." I have no idea who these people are. They DIDN'T STAND OUT. They were another box of cereal in an aisle full of 100+ brands.
So take my advice below. Do the extra research and draft great questions. You'll thank me later.
Following are the six questions you must ask in an informational interview:
1- I have read your bio and LinkedIn profile, but I'd love to hear in your own words how you got to this point in your career? (This breaks the ice and puts your contact on a pedestal. Plus, everyone loves talking about themselves. Take great notes because they'll mention other companies they have worked for and other important nuggets).
2 & 3 - Two of your burning job search questions that you'd like their perspective on. I am a career changer, how difficult would it be to break into your department? What professional organizations should I belong to? How did you find the other people in this department? What is the profile of someone who is successful at your organization? etc.
4 & 5 - Two questions that will allow you to leverage your research. I love referencing news items on blogs or newspapers. For example: I read on the PRWeek blog last week that your firm won a large account with Apple. What kinds of programs will you be doing for them? How is this office involved? How is that going to impact your staffing needs? Or another: There was an interesting article in The New York Times this morning about the convergence of marketing, advertising and public relations in the digital space. How is your industry/company positioned to provide the most value to clients?
6 - Ask for more contacts. This was a very helpful conversation. I really appreciate your advice. Could you please put me in touch with a couple people in your network for similar networking conversations?
YOUR GOAL OF EVERY INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW IS TO GET TWO MORE NAMES. THAT'S IT.
Why? Because the company isn't going to hire you that day. Probably not that month. So leverage the meeting to meet people in their professional network. You need to do 30-40 informational interviews before you start to see a return on your time investment.
What you are doing is enlisting "internal job search ambassadors" who are going to start calling you when they hear about openings at their company. They will also go to lunch with friends who mention openings at their companies and will think of you and call you!
A great journalist cultivates inside sources. A great job seeker does the same.
Don't expect instant gratification. This is about hard work. But if you follow the steps we discussed in this four-part series, you'll be able to choose where you want to work and not settle.
People who settle play it safe and hate their jobs.
Great article Brian. Tips #1 and #6 are my favorite.
- Lewis, SeattleInterviewCoach.com