Why Everyone Needs to Conduct Informational Interviews Regardless of Whether You Are Actively Job Seeking

My LinkedIn feed has been flooded with people finding new jobs. I’m happy they’ve successfully navigated toward whatever is next for them and their careers.

But do you ever wonder how they did it?

Maybe you’re thinking, “Oh, they must have had time to do it.”

The truth is, they MADE time to do it.

For example:

·?????How did they find their job?

·?????What was the most challenging question they had to answer in their interview?

·?????Why was this the best move for them and their career?

·?????What confirmed this was the right job for them?

The questions are endless.

Their answers are priceless.

I firmly believe that regardless of whether or not you are actively job-seeking, you need to conduct informational interviews regularly – and the end of the year is a great time to do it.

Take advantage of the end of the year is slower for them or them being in a more giving mood. Be respectful of their time. Share your questions with them in advance. Thank them for sharing their thoughts and wisdom with you; it will help you figure out whatever is next.

You can continue to be stuck in a job or career you don’t like, wallowing in misery and being unhappy, or you can take one small action step and gain some information to help you decide whatever is next for you and your career.

Who in your network do you need to talk to about how they got their current job?

Who have you been meaning to talk to about how they got where they are in their career?

I am going to challenge you to take this opportunity and set up five informational interviews. Most likely, you did these in college. Now, you will do them as a mid-career professional who wants to LEARN something about what someone does to decide whatever is next for you and your career.

To help you learn more about this process, I invite you to listen to this week’s podcast episode – Three Reasons Why Now is a Great Time to Conduct Informational Interviews. ?You can listen by clicking on the link or finding The Mid-Career GPS Podcast on your favorite listening platform.

Remember, how we SHOW UP matters.

John

P.S. - If you are currently looking for a new job or preparing for an internal promotion, I’m sure you don’t want to make a mistake. After all, you care too much about your career and job to mess anything up. But how do you know?

I’ve got a quick, easy-to-read guide to help you navigate your career path that outlines five critical mistakes mid-career professionals make. I don’t want you to make them.

Want to know how I know this? I talked to a lot of people through informational interviews.

Click this link to get a free copy of my new guide, “5 Mistakes Mid-Career Professionals Make (And Need to Stop Doing).”