How can you use informational interviews to land senior roles?

Don’t be dismayed if some people don’t respond to your requests - because others will! There will be much learning from having conversations with more one person in the industry, as each person’s identity, talents, position, and perspectives offers unique insights. It’s valuable to also notice what resonates with you from the various conversations, and what knowledge you gain from each individual discussion.

We target informational interviews with thought leaders. Who is a thought leader? Someone who has thoughts that you may not have thought! Consider people who are more advanced in their careers or who are doing things you'd like to do more of...a pivot if you will. Leverage your conversation by listening to them. You don't need to talk, you need to listen. How have they progressed to this point in their careers? What have they learned and leaned into along the way? How did they find their 'secret sauce' and/or their value add? Then ask what do they read? What organizations fueled their education and perspectives? How did/do they network? And what do they do to keep up with their network? The relationships you build doing this matter.

If you are creating or bringing value you can create and build relationships. Value can come in many forms - working well with others, bringing more solutions than problems, showing up on time, listening, empathetic honesty, trustworthy, ability to disagree with being disagreeable, etc... Building and maintaining diverse relationships both within a company and outside become more effective when the problems you encounter are complex.

In my opinion, approaching “informational interviews” as the interviewer yourself is a great way to go. Your goal should be to learn and connect with the person you’re talking to. Ask thoughtful questions about their experiences, career choices, hurdles, and successes. Find out what motivates them to do what they do and see if you have any overlap. Overall, people like to feel that they are valued and interesting to others. Only use these strategies with people you are GENUINELY intrigued by. If all goes well, you can use what you learned about their journey to inform your own and odds are they’ll come away wanting to lend you a hand in the future. Wrap the conversation by asking for their advice on how to get to where they are.

Oftentimes the most valuable information that you Can get is a better understanding of the organizational structure, This way you can learn who are the key players that you need to get introductions to our visibility with. And if you know how to do filtered searches on LinkedIn you can find out who the players are or people that can make introductions on your behalf

It is extremely important to make sure you are prepared before going into the informational interview. Have you looked up relevant articles, websites, or current news about the industry, company, or topic you wish to learn more about? When people clearly have not done the pre-work, it may sour the conversation because it becomes a basic rather than an advanced conversation. In contrast, those who put the time and effort in reap the benefits through a deeper connection with their contact, and they may eventually turn into and advocate or champion throughout one’s career, due to this fabulous impression that was made!

Focus on asking open-ended questions that showcase your strategic thinking and industry understanding. However, navigate these waters carefully and avoid certain topics. Steer clear of discussing salary expectations or seeming too eager for a job offer, as these can overshadow the primary goal of gathering information and fostering professional connections. Think of these interviews as chess moves in your career game. They are not just conversations but opportunities to align your experience with the industry's needs, positioning you as an ideal candidate for senior roles. Remember, success lies not only in the questions you ask but also in perceiving the unspoken needs of the organization.

Absolutely - staying in touch is essential. The mentor who has met with you is invested in your success and will be wondering about any progress or outcomes on your part, so sharing updates is key. Additionally, even if a job has not been secured, sharing learnings along the way lets your contact know that you are actively still working on your personal and professional development and this keeps you top of mind for future opportunities.