5 Phrases That Poison Informational Interviews (#3 Is Lethal)

Are you ready to start your transition into industry but find yourself hesitating for some reason?

If so, you're not alone.

Many PhDs are stuck in unemployment, a postdoc, TA position, or an adjunct professorship.

These same PhDs know there is a way out - industry employment - yet stay in these low-paying, purgatory-esque positions because the transition process is intimidating.

The most intimidating part of the job search process is networking to get a job referral.

But how do you connect the two?

What's the link between networking and getting a referral from a current industry employee?

The "informational interview" is the link between networking and getting a job referral. 

These personal Q&A sessions can feel uncomfortable, but take my word on this: 

If you want to find your industry career, you almost always have to initiate a few informational interviews.

And be forewarned: There are some pretty serious errors a PhD can make during this process.

5 Phrases That Ruin Informational Interviews

If you say any of these 5 things during an informational interview, you will kill your chances of getting a referral from the other person.

And since the ideal outcome of an informational interview is a job referral, phrases like these are nothing short of poison to your professional network.

So keep your network healthy, and avoid these phrases at all costs!

1. I’m looking for a job.

What they hear: I’m unemployed and need your charity.

You may be unemployed, but this is not something you should bring up in conversation. You can tell the other person you’re currently employed and looking for a job, but the focus of the informational interview really needs to be on that other person.

Instead of saying that you’re looking for a job, tell them how interested you are to learn about their job.

Tell them that you’d love to get their perspective on what the position and what it’s like to succeed in that role.

If you say, “I need a job,” the other person will feel like you’ve put them in an awkward position, like helping you is doing charity work.

They don’t want to feel guilted into helping you - they want a valuable business connection who will reward their assistance by being a network asset.

2. Here’s my business card.

What they hear: I’m only here to promote myself.

Please don’t pass out your business card.

No one really wants to see that. You don’t even need business cards to successful - so at best, it’s a waste of time.

But at worst, handing out a business card indicates that you’re more focused on yourself than the other professionals. 

If anything, you should be asking for their business card! You can certainly ask the other person for their card, which shows them that you’re paying attention to them.

You want to follow up and keep fighting to make your industry transition.

Do everything you can to shift the focus of your conversations to the other person.

Ask questions about their job, career path, hobbies, opinions, etc.

Show them that you are genuinely interested in learning about them - that you value their time and opinion.

By focusing on the other person, you’re compelling them to help you without even asking.

3. I’m having a hard time.

What they hear: I’m a loser.

This phrase is just the worst.

If you’re interviewing another professional, don’t expect them to solve your problems. They don’t owe you anything - in fact, you owe them!

By chatting with you about their job, they’re doing you a favor. It’s your job to make them feel like it was a valuable experience, and this will make them associate you with feelings of value and positivity.

Check your struggles at the door. In your interviews, focus on the actions that you’ve been taking and the successes that you have had.

Demonstrate to the other person that you are a results-oriented PhD who focuses on solutions.

They don’t want to hear about your struggles, so avoid saying things about your frustrations, difficulties, problems, etc. Talking about this stuff shows the other person that employers think you’re unfit - otherwise, why wouldn’t they hire you?

In reality, there are lots of reasons employers go with another candidate. Probably, there's nothing wrong with you at all

But if you whine about your issues getting a job, other professionals will have to wonder about your fitness as an employee.

On the other hand, if you focus on your successes, they’ll do the same. They’ll see you as tenacious, a “go-getter.”

They want to affiliate with successful people, and they’ll assume you’re a valuable connection on the rise. 

4. What’s in it for me?

What they hear: I only care about personal gain.

This one is tricky. You may not actually say this phrase out loud, but if you have an attitude of personal gain during your informational interview, it will be pretty obvious.

The other person will feel like you’re using them. Do you enjoy feeling like a stepping stone? They don’t either.

This is an established concept in psychology: The norm of reciprocity.

People generally want to give what they get. If they don’t get a helpful vibe from you, they’ll assume you’re not helpful. If you don't help them, they’ll reciprocate by not helping you.

It’s as simple as that.

So forget about going into an informational interview for your own benefit.

You’re there to collaborate, to work together. You want to help them, which makes them want to repay the favor. What’s the best way to do this?

5. That idea won’t work.

What they hear: Your ideas are stupid.

As a PhD, you’ve been trained to be critical. You’re supposed to catch flaws - it’s one of the best ways to determine the value of a concept. If you can’t find flaws after searching for them really hard, you’ve got a good idea on your hands.

But this is logical. Industry doesn’t operate the same way. Informational interviews will suffer if you volunteer criticism about the other person’s ideas.

For example, if you’re having a conversation during an informational interview, and the other person starts talking about an idea or concept they are excited about, you should not tell them where you think it’s wrong.

Avoid anything negative - phrases like, “Well that’s not going to work” or “That’s a bad idea.”

Believe me, as a PhD myself, I know how tough it is, but this is not the time to be critical.

If they’re sharing something personal with you, that’s a good sign. It means you’re making a connection. If you say something negative to a new contact, you’re basically punishing their openness.

Instead of criticism, ask more questions about the idea or concept.

This shows that you were listening and that you are curious about their idea. They’ll feel flattered, and you’ll build rapport.

Show interest in the other person. Ask about what they want. Think of ways to add value. Can you connect them with anyone? Do you know anything about the problems they’re experiencing? Did you read an article they might like to hear about?

Are you a PhD?

If so, what have you learned from your own informational interviews?

Tell me in a comment below.

To learn more about transitioning into industry, including how to gain instant access to industry career training videos, case studies, industry insider documents, a complete industry transition plan, and a private online job referral network for PhDs only, get on the waitlist for the Cheeky Scientist Association.