- One of the best ways to fast track your job search
is by tapping into the hidden job market
by building your network
through informational interviews.
Hi, I'm Dalena Bradley,
job interview and career marketing coach,
and today I am going to talk with you
about several ways
to have a successful informational interview
with your contacts.
I am curious, before we start,
as to whether you've found a position
through informational interviewing and networking.
And if so, please share your experience
in the comments below.
I'd love to hear your stories.
The majority of jobs are found through networking,
and most of the population
really likes to look
and apply for positions online.
And while that is a good way
to kind of get some of sense of what's out there,
really a much more effective, fast way
is by talking with people.
So, to start, through LinkedIn
or through your own personal network,
build a list of people
that you'd really be interested in talking with,
be it their association
with a company that you're targeting,
maybe because it is their professional background
that either is similar to yours
or is aspirational for you.
You want to do more or change careers
and do something similar to what they're doing,
so make your list of people
and then when you contact them either through email,
or LinkedIn InMail, or something like that,
when you request time,
you can just ask them for 20 to 30 minutes.
Ask for a phone call or a video chat
to get to know them a little bit,
learn more about their background,
learn more about their company,
and then see what they say.
I suggest this over having coffee
because coffee can be really time consuming.
It can take twice or more the amount of time
than a quick phone call or video chat.
So it could increase your odds very quickly
about actually getting a meeting with the person.
Then once you do meet with them,
rather than asking about
any job opportunities that they know about,
out of the box, starting the conversation that way,
come from a place of curiosity.
If you ask somebody about a job opportunity
that can shut the conversation down pretty quickly
because what if they don't know
about any job opportunities at the moment?
So come from a place of genuine curiosity
where you want to learn more about the person,
about what it is they do,
about what's going on in their company,
what challenges they're having,
what opportunities they see
in their particular area of expertise or company,
and just have a conversation that way.
Through that conversation,
ask them for the names of a few more people
that you could talk to.
And that is the most valuable part,
is because then you'll be able to continue conversations
leading down that pathway toward,
hopefully, more job opportunities for you.
Be ready,
when the conversation does evolve,
they'll likely say,
you know, what is it you're really looking for?
And so be ready and be clear
about what it is you are looking for
and what type of role and company
so that you can help connect the dots
and they don't have to kind of wonder.
So saying I'm open to anything
is really difficult
and even for people to process.
So even if you have a couple of different paths,
you know, you could say,
well, I'm looking at this or this.
But don't make it too broad
or again, that's a conversation stopper
rather than continue,
a conversation continuer.
And finally, ask how you can help.
Because it's a two-way street.
You have a lot to contribute.
You have accumulated a lot of knowledge
and experience in your career.
So potentially, you can be an asset to them and help them.
And finally, be sure to thank them
just as you would for a regular job interview.
Thank them for their time
and be sure to stay in touch with them
and let them know when you do land a new job.
And continue that relationship beyond,
because the more you nurture your network now,
the more naturally you can continue those relationships
either when they need you
or you need them again in the future.
I hope these tips
on how to have a really great informational interview
were helpful to you.
I'm happy to answer any questions.
Please like, comment, share if you liked this.
And for more information about how we could work together,
please visit my website, dalenabradley.com.
I wish you the very best
in your job search and in your career.