What do you do if you want to grow your network in environmental consulting through informational interviews?

1 Identify potential contacts

The first step is to find people who are willing to share their time and knowledge with you. You can start by tapping into your existing network, such as alumni, professors, classmates, colleagues, friends, or family members who work or have worked in environmental consulting. You can also use online platforms, such as LinkedIn, to search for environmental consultants by keywords, location, industry, or company. Once you have a list of potential contacts, you can send them a brief and polite email or message, introducing yourself, explaining your purpose, and requesting a 15-20 minute chat.

3 Conduct the interview

When you conduct the interview, you should be respectful, professional, and enthusiastic. You can start by thanking them for their time and briefly introducing yourself and your goals. Then, you can ask them your questions, listening attentively and taking notes. You should also be flexible and follow the natural flow of the conversation, rather than sticking to a rigid script. You can also share some of your own experiences and opinions, but avoid dominating the talk or asking for a job. You should also keep track of the time and wrap up the interview before it exceeds the agreed duration. You can end by asking them if they have any questions for you, or if they can refer you to any other contacts who might be helpful. You should also ask them for their preferred mode of communication and follow-up.

4 Follow up and maintain contact

After the interview, you should send a thank-you note to your contact within 24 hours, expressing your appreciation and highlighting the key points you learned from them. You should also keep them updated on your progress and achievements, and share any relevant information or resources that might interest them. You should also try to maintain contact with them on a regular basis, but not too frequently or intrusively. You can comment on their posts, congratulate them on their milestones, or invite them to events or webinars that relate to their field. By following up and maintaining contact, you can build a lasting and mutually beneficial relationship with your contact, and potentially open up new opportunities for your career in environmental consulting.

5 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?