Thinking about starting a business? Switching careers? Becoming a stronger, more impactful leader?
One of the best strategies for gaining ideas to successfully do what you love (and for getting unstuck) involves conducting informational interviews. This strategy is also extremely underutilized so, in addition to building your knowledge base, it’s another way to set yourself apart!
What Is An Informational Interview?
At its core, an informational interview is an opportunity for you to talk with role models, experts, and people successfully doing what you want to do. You invite them for coffee (your treat) or arrange a brief phone consultation, then ask specific questions in order to learn from their experience and wisdom.
Such interviews are win-win: you gain insights which can help you chart your own course, build your confidence, enhance your knowledge and network, and strengthen your relationship with your interviewee.
At the same time, in sharing her experiences and advice, your interviewee may rekindle her passion for her role, clarify her own vision and goals, and enjoy making a difference by helping you succeed.
A client of mine recently conducted several informational interviews to acquire firsthand insight into the new career field she is exploring. She came to our next coaching call overjoyed with what she had gained – not only “insider secrets” but links to discussion forums, book recommendations, classes to consider, and suggestions for additional people to contact.
“In 2 hours of conversations,” she shared, “I got more than I did with months of research and internet scouring on my own!”
How To Prepare For An Informational Interview
Just as if you were about to interview for a job or meet with a prospective client, your successful outcomes will depend heavily on your preparation. Today I offer 3 keys for setting up a successful informational interview. (Watch my next post for tips on conducting the actual interview.)
1. Create your prioritized list of questions.
Start by brainstorming everything you question about your new endeavor: logistics, fears, training needed, potential barriers, anything that comes to mind.
Then, identify which questions will most likely get you the information you need to move forward. Finalize a list of your top 10 questions; you likely won’t have time to ask all of them in a 30-minute coffee date, but you’ll be well-prepared and – since you’re prioritizing them – will definitely address the most important ones.
You want your list ready before you contact anyone. Why? Because your potential interviewee may respond with, “I don’t have time to meet for coffee, but I can give you five minutes right now.” Having your top questions ready will ensure you get what you need while respecting your interviewee’s time.
Some questions you might consider:
How did you get to where you are today? What has your path been like?
What are the top 2-3 lessons you’ve learned along the way?
If you could, would you follow the same path? What might you do differently?
And, of course:
Who else do you recommend I speak with? May I tell him you referred me?
2. Contact your potential sources, starting from the top.
Who will provide you with the information you seek?
Jot down names of people you already have in mind, role models, recommendations from people in the field, and results from your targeted internet search.
Just like with your questions, put your contacts in priority order. Starting at the top, contact each person with a (brief!) introduction and your invitation. Be prepared for some to accept and others to decline. Continue down your list until you’ve arranged a fair amount of interviews.
3. Prepare your mindset.
Shift to a positive, win-win mindset before making your calls and conducting your interviews. Two important “Don’ts” here:
a) Don’t take “No” personally. Your potential interviewees are successful and busy, and this won’t be the best time for everyone. Thank each person for her time and move forward.
b) Don’t feel you’re “wasting her time.” I wrote my doctoral dissertation on mentoring and found that the mentors benefited just as their proteges did – only in different ways (renewed energy, clearer focus, sense of making a difference and leaving a legacy). You definitely want to be respectful of their time and help make it a mutually beneficial experience, but don’t approach them with a mindset of, “Why would they ever say ‘Yes’ to this?”
These three strategies will help you start preparing effectively for your informational interviews. Watch for my next post for tips to actually conduct the interview in a positive, results-oriented manner that benefits both you and your interviewee!
Dr. Christi Hegstad helps you successfully do what you love! As President of MAP Professional Development Inc., she coaches business owners and leaders to get unstuck and reach meaningful results with clarity, confidence, and meaningful action. Learn more at www.meaning-and-purpose.com and follow Dr. Christi on Facebook and Twitter.