How can you maximize the value of an informational interview?

2 Research and prepare

Before the interview, do some research on the person, their organization, and their industry. This will help you avoid asking basic or irrelevant questions and show that you are genuinely interested in learning from them. You should also prepare a list of questions that focus on the topics that you want to explore, such as their career journey, their current role and responsibilities, their challenges and achievements, their insights and advice, and their future plans and goals.

4 Follow up and stay in touch

After the interview, send a thank-you note to express your appreciation and summarize the key points that you learned. You can also ask for permission to stay in touch and update them on your progress. You should also keep a record of the interview and review the information that you gathered. You can use it to refine your career goals, identify your strengths and gaps, and plan your next steps. You can also follow up with any referrals that they gave you and expand your network.

5 Apply and share what you learned

The final step is to apply and share what you learned from the informational interview. You can use the insights and advice that you received to improve your skills, update your resume, prepare for interviews, or pursue new opportunities. You can also share your learnings with others who might benefit from them, such as your peers, mentors, or supervisors. This will help you demonstrate your initiative, curiosity, and value as a professional.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?