Mastering the Informational Interview.

Mastering the Informational Interview.

The informational interview. Three words that make executives squirm every time they hear or read them.

Without a direct relationship between interviewer and interviewee, it’s likely that executives are hoping to check a box, do a favor and simply just get through the conversation. But don’t forget, every executive was once that person sitting on the other side of the table.

As a regular on the interviewer side, here are some tips geared toward young professionals and students with one goal:?to help make you a more viable candidate.

Know how to differentiate yourself.?There may be hundreds of candidates out there going after the same job that you want, or just whom want exposure to the corporate world. It is imperative to set yourself apart. I ask everyone I interview to tell me something about themselves that’s not on their resume – and I expect it to be straightforward and substantive.? Please avoid saying you love a certain field or discipline, instead, tell me what your skill is, and tell me what you can solve and what you might create. For those coming straight out of school, no one expects you to be an expert in anything, but we still want to know how you can help our business, make our life easier and work your tail off. And maybe you have a skill, a hobby or passion, something that you can speak articulately and quick about.

Thinking on our feet is one of the most important skills a professional can have. I’ve always thought Improv is both a class and a skill, and the ability to pivot based on the question or situation shows that a candidate has the aptitude and confidence to succeed in several professions. So even if you are out of school or in an entry level job, taking an improv class at the local theater or university still has merit. I never did it. I wish I did.

Social media is the best (FREE) interview tool ever created.?Twitter and LinkedIn are excellent places to build a conversation or share industry-relevant news. Many young millennials and Gen Z use Snapchat, TikTok and Instagram for fun, but as that generation becomes more serious about careers, they are best served to get on Twitter and build a profile for future employers and recruiters (because that is where the professional workplace lives). If you have an expertise or love that is visual in nature, build an Instagram account or display your portfolio via Pinterest. If you have great content, a following will come. This type of activity helps to differentiate you as a candidate and can help propel you onto an employers’ shortlist. And don’t just use Linkedin as a digital resume, the platform provides excellent tools to organize and show off your work and tangible results and impact. Where you volunteer and spend your time matters to people too.

If you’re starting to interview, make sure your social media platforms are updated and that your feeds are appropriate for an employer to see. Many will look at a candidate’s social media as a gauge of social know-how, and as an indicator of how that candidate would handle themselves in professional situations.

Come to an interview prepared to talk about social media. I always ask people who, inside my agency and out, they follow on social media. It gives me a quick indication of their commitment and marketplace knowledge. This is another place where improv skills come in handy. And study up on the social platform of anyone you are talking too. It’s right in front of you and free. With a quick scan (and read more than the past week), you will quickly know what the person likes, details about their family, business skills, passions, photo/video interests and more. Know them, understand their role (don’t ask what they do), and talk to things they like or may have posted recently. It shows that you’ve done your homework and will lead to a more substantive discussion.

Respect my time, but make it work for you.?When you reach out to request an informational interview, tell them exactly what you’re looking for, and put a time limit on it. People can always find 15 minutes, and you have a better chance of success if you ask only for that. I even recommend offering to start the call or in-person coffee as early as 7:00 a.m. local time for them (even if you live in a different time zone), as executives would prefer to knock them out before clients start calling.

And since you have only asked for 15 minutes, make sure you to stick to it. Practice with a peer, a parent or in front of the mirror. You can make quite an impact if you plan.

And remember, the end of the interview is just the beginning. Take that opportunity to follow up regularly with new information that relates to your conversation…and what the interviewer is passionate about. Don’t ask for things. Give them. This is the beginning of your journey.

Always look for learning opportunities.?Mentorship is an excellent way to grow, learn and connect with others across your industry, but it takes effort from both parties. The younger professional needs to come to the table with questions, observations, and ideas a mentor can respond to. Remember, it is not who you know, but who knows you. Getting on people’s radar is critical to job success.

You may have just graduated, but your education continues. Never stop reading and learning. There is unlimited free information across the web.? Seek out media outlets, thought leadership within your field, and opinions from relevant leaders. You will never regret learning about a new technology or emerging platform – and these are fantastic topics to bring up in interviews or to share back with someone you talked to before.

Don’t Forget. Not every conversation is going to be perfect. You are going to be more compatible with some versus others (it’s why you joined a certain fraternity, sorority, or friend group). That

Sample questions to ask:

? Who are your mentors?

? What industry trend keeps you up at night?

? What mistake did you learn the most from in your professional career?

? If you had an extra hour of free time in the day, how would you spend it (for work purposes)?

? Who do you listen to or what do you read to learn?

You’ve got 15 minutes, go get ‘em.