Suzanne Grossman and I are at the beach, having some heart to heart inspirational conversations and informational interviews came up. In spite of the wealth of information out there, it seems like people still have a ton of uncertainties about how to arrange them and what to ask, so I thought I’d share my two favorite questions.
I usually ask these at the end when I’ve gone through my more focused questions.
- Is there anything I haven’t asked about that you’d like to tell me?
- Is there anyone else that you recommend I speak to about this topic/this industry/this career?
They both inevitably elicit gems of knowledge or valuable contacts. Often it’s insider advice or a new way of looking at the topic. One woman put me in contact with her book agent then and there.
In my opinion, people like to help others and also like to show that they are knowledgeable. These questions tap into those emotions.
What do you like to ask?
Those are great questions Nicole! I agree that people do generally like to GIVE to others. It makes for a win-win for all involved.
Great post, Nicole! I love the question about asking if they would recommend anyone else to speak to, that’s a wonderful way to connect with others who are in your given area of interest. Another valuable question to ask would be, Since I am interested in learning more about this industry, what resources would you recommend? Are there websites, publications, organizations, conferences, events, books, etc. that you have found to be particularly informative and helpful?
At the end of an informational interview, I like to give another copy of my resume and ask the interviewer if they have any suggestions to enhance my resume for that particular industry and/or position.
These are more great questions! Thanks for your comments. I especially like the resume question since resumes differ so widely depending on the profession.
The second question has been a great way to end an interview- it definitely leads to more interviews. (One interviewer said- wow, that’s an excellent question.) So thank you!
Pam, I’m so glad you’ve found this helpful! I know, it’s amazing who else people will put you into contact with when you ask. Best of luck.