How can you find people to interview for informational interviews in Career Development Coaching?

Finding people for informational interviews doesn’t have to be difficult. Join functional and industry-related networking groups where like-minded professionals and experts are sharing insights. Once you’ve identified a person of interest, connect for a 1:1 conversation. You can also perform a filtered search on LinkedIn to connect with Alumni who are from the same alma mater, live in the same city, work at a company of interest, or work in your dream job. If you have a critical mass of LinkedIn connections, your search will yield numerous results. Then, reach out by sending a personalized connection request. Finally, friends and family are warm connections and provide great opportunities to tap into their extended networks.

When I seek out people for informational interviews I often start with the people who taught me most recently or even one of my mentors. I define my intention and then ask if they know anyone who might speak to what I am seeking to know. Most of the time they offer to make the introduction, which makes the connection much easier for both of us.

Consider the timing and format of your informational interviews. Be flexible and accommodating to the interviewee's schedule. Additionally, show gratitude by sending a thank-you note or message after the interview. Personally, I've learned that expressing appreciation reinforces the positive impression you leave and may open doors for future interactions. Incorporating real stories and examples from your experiences not only adds authenticity but also provides practical insights for readers looking to implement these strategies in their own career development coaching journey.

Using ChatGPT for finding interviewees in your network for Career Development Coaching: 1. Identify Potential Contacts: Ask ChatGPT to help brainstorm a list of potential contacts within your existing network who could provide valuable insights. 2. Draft Personalized Outreach Messages: Use ChatGPT to draft personalized outreach messages. Tailor each message to show genuine interest in the individual's career path and expertise, increasing the likelihood of a positive response. 3. Follow-Up Strategies: After initial contact, ChatGPT can assist in formulating follow-up strategies. It can suggest polite and engaging ways to remind contacts about your request, ensuring you maintain a professional and respectful approach.

Besides those personal connections that are close to you – friends, family, colleagues, mentors, and alumni – I highly recommend leveraging the power of social media. People are more likely to respond if you approach them strategically. Utilize Social Media Platforms: Embrace the power of platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Conduct targeted searches using relevant keywords, titles, or organizations. Social media is a treasure trove of professionals eager to share their insights. Craft a Personalized Message: When reaching out, personalize your message. Explain who you are, express genuine interest, and outline what you hope to learn. A thoughtful and polite approach increases the likelihood of a positive response.

One way to find a career development coach in the UK is to look at those listed on the Professional Register held by the Career Development Institute. We are trained to at least Level 6 and have to complete 25 hours of continuing professional development every year to maintain registration. All that aside, you will find we are a friendly and welcoming community who all love to help others and advocate for the sector.

Volunteer to be on the Membership Committee. All associations are clamoring for new members and you can be the first to meet them. Prior to events, preset appointments with those who have RSVP'd. At the events, assist with registration... for obvious reasons. #CareerAcceleratorCoaching MarkGonska.com

I recommend joining a local professional group event in person or online. This is the perfect way to meet people and establish a rapport and people will be open to talking to you about it because your interests are their expertise- A couple of professional group events to research and attend are as follows: - Your local International Coaching Federation chapter. - National Association of Career Development - Association for Talent Developers - Association for Change Management Professionals

Here's how ChatGPT can assist in this context: 1. Research Associations: Use ChatGPT to identify relevant professional associations and groups in your field. It can provide insights into each organization's focus, events, and key members. 2. Networking Strategies: Ask ChatGPT for advice on effective networking within these groups. It can suggest conversation starters, how to engage in discussions, and ways to make meaningful connections that could lead to informational interviews. 3. Follow-Up Communication: After networking events, ChatGPT can help craft follow-up messages to new contacts. These messages should be personalized, referencing conversations from the event and expressing your interest in an informational interview.

Contribute First: Move beyond joining professional associations – actively engage in discussions, share insights, and contribute. Being a valuable member increases your chances of securing insightful interviews. Reciprocal Networking: Before seeking interviews, understand fellow career coaches' needs and offer your expertise. This reciprocal approach fosters collaboration and strengthens professional relationships. Explore Diverse Platforms: Don't limit yourself to traditional associations. Explore online platforms like Meetup, Slack communities, or industry forums for varied networking opportunities.

One of the quickest paths to getting an informational interview is through your network and introductions. People are much more likely to respond when it's done through an introduction. Use LinkedIn to help you identify people that might know people that would be helpful for you to connect with.

"Informational Interview" is archaic term from the 1970's. Partnered with, "may I have a few minutes of your time?" This approach nearly guarantees and absolutely deserves to be ignored. What's in it for the busy person you are contacting? Why would an interaction be of value to THEM? Make the interchange a potential for two-way benefit. Do the work, not just the ask. #CareerAcceleratorCoaching MarkGonska.com

Here's how ChatGPT can assist: 1. Identify Potential Referrers: ChatGPT can help you identify individuals within your network who are well-connected or have a broad professional reach. These could be past colleagues, mentors, or industry peers. 2. Crafting Referral Requests: Use ChatGPT to draft personalized messages requesting referrals. These should be concise, express your career goals clearly, and specify the type of professionals you're looking to connect with. 3. Leverage LinkedIn: ChatGPT can guide you in utilizing LinkedIn effectively for this purpose. It can suggest how to update your profile to reflect your career aspirations, making it easier for your network to understand who would be an ideal referral for you.

When I was doing informational interviews early on in my career, I found people that worked at company's I wanted to work at or had careers that I admired on LinkedIn. I reached out to them to ask if they would be open to connecting with me. Some I never heard back from but a few I did and it was so helpful to hear what they had to say. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and ask!

ChatGPT can assist in the following ways: 1. Online Research Guidance: ChatGPT can suggest key online platforms for career development research. This includes industry-specific forums, LinkedIn groups, and professional websites. 2. Offline Networking Opportunities: Ask ChatGPT to help identify local networking events, workshops, or seminars related to your field. It can provide strategies for engaging with these opportunities, like preparing an elevator pitch. 3. Blending Online and Offline Strategies: Utilize ChatGPT to integrate your online and offline efforts. For example, after attending a seminar, you can use LinkedIn to connect with the speakers or participants, citing your offline interaction as a conversation starter.

Here's how ChatGPT can assist: 1. Identify Potential Interviewees: ChatGPT can help brainstorm a list of industries, roles, and companies you're interested in. From there, it can guide you in identifying potential interviewees, like industry experts or experienced professionals. 2. Outreach Strategy: ChatGPT can assist in crafting personalized outreach messages for LinkedIn or email. These messages should be concise, express genuine interest in the person's career journey, and politely request a short informational interview. 3. Follow-Up Techniques: Persistence is crucial. ChatGPT can suggest polite and effective follow-up strategies if you don’t receive an initial response, ensuring you stay on their radar without being intrusive.

I would say don't give up. Keep at it. Proactive Pursuit: Take the initiative and persist in your outreach. Don't hesitate to contact individuals beyond your personal network. Maintain respect, courtesy, and professionalism in your communication. Persistence Pays Off: If you don't receive an immediate response, stay persistent. Follow up with a reminder or a thank-you note after a reasonable period. Patience and perseverance are key in the pursuit of valuable interviews. Confidence in Networking: Don't be passive or shy; exude confidence, curiosity, and enthusiasm in your quest for learning and networking. Boldness can open doors to valuable insights.

Professionals who give up their time to have an informational interview with you are such a gift. When you build good rapport and have a fruitful conversation with them, this is what will happen, in all likelihood: - they will root for you - they will keep thinking of you - they will want to hear how you are getting on. Of course you thank those people, straight after the meeting. But then, especially when you speak to many contacts, you may forget to share your breakthroughs with them. Don't be that person. Share your success, whether it came from their advice or someone else's. They get the satisfaction that they helped and the closure they deserve. They might even stay in your networks. Then one day, you can pack it back.

In my experience, the career development sector is hugely collaborative, collegiate and welcoming. We care about our clients, our work, our colleagues - and our industry. And yet, we have a problem. Succession (at least in the UK). If I was starting out again, I'd pluck up the courage and reach out to career professionals who are active in membership organisations, sit on committees, contribute on LinkedIn or give industry talks. I'd speak to a handful to learn all I can and then decide what to do next. After all, career professionals know how important these conversations are to make sound career decisions. (And I'd hope our response rate is quite high as we care about the sector and its future). That's where I would start.

We all know the saying ... "Closed mouths don't get fed". In other words, if people don't know you're looking for opportunities, it's unlikely your network can connect you with the resources you need to succeed. Therefore, it's crucial you invest your time networking with those you may already know as well as those outside of your network to find opportunities. You want to be brave and put yourself out there. Don't be afraid to brag about your skills and recent achievements in hopes of finding someone looking for exactly what you bring to the table in terms of personality, skills, and knowledge.

Utilize professional networks and attend industry events. Craft a clear value proposition when reaching out, emphasizing the mutual benefits of the interaction. Establish connections with professionals in relevant fields to enhance the informational interview process. This strategic approach ensures valuable insights for career development.

How did you happen to target the particular individual you are contacting? Have other(s) mentioned her or him as a thought leader in this vertical? Name them! Referred by another leader?Have you read, and can you comment on, anything they have written? Persistently doing the wrong thing that doesn't work is not noble. It may be counter productive. #CareerAcceleratorCoaching MarkGonska.com