Purpose of the Interview:
- Learn more about the realities of working in a particular occupation
- Decide among different occupations or choose an occupational specialty
- Uncover your professional strengths and weakness
- Gain confidence
- Find different ways to prepare for a particular career
Preparing for Informational Interview:
- Finding Suitable Contacts:
- Utilize LinkedIn, Brown Connects, and your personal network.
- Find mutual acquaintances – Professors, classmates, alumni,
- Preparing got the interview:
- Research the organization and the person’s background (use LinkedIn)
- Prepare your resume to share; shows professionalism
- Develop questions
Making the Most of the Interview:
- Pre-Interview:
- Be clear and inquisitive.
- Focus on attitude and skills.
- During the Interview:
- Ease into the conversation.
- Foster future connections.
- Follow-up after the interview and plan next steps (or another meeting)
Timeline for a Network Email (B- Business days)
Start with emailing a new contact and set up reminders to follow up with them in 3 and 7 Business days. If the contact responds conduct an informational interview and send a “thank you” note within 24 hours. If the contact does not respond after 7 business days, send another follow up and wait for 7 more business days. If the contact still does not respond, you can abandon the contact. (You can also continue trying if you really want to meet with them and figure out a way to persuade them to meet with you.)
Questions to Ask:
- Information they wish they had known.
- Job satisfaction and improvement ideas.
- Professional growth in the industry
- Career journey and stages.
- Times of career stagnation.
- Factors that accelerated their career.
- Salary expectations and advice for someone like you entering the field.
- Strategies to impress hiring managers.
- Skill-building recommendations.
- Expanding your industry network.
Example Emails:
SUBJECT: Your UX Research Experience at Neuron
Hi Susan,
I’m Mark, a master’s student at Brown (’23). I found you on LinkedIn and noticed you had extensive experience in UX Research. I’d like to learn more about user experience design and research in the SF tech space, and I’d really appreciate your insights to learn about the industry to plan my career goals and next steps.
Would you be open to spare a 15-20 minutes to talk about your UX experience at Neuron?
Best Regards,
Mark
SUBJECT: Your Instructional Design Experience at Turnitin
Hi Kim,
I’m Suraj, a fellow member of the EdTech LinkedIn Group. I was impressed with your background in the EdTech space. I’m looking to transition to learning experience design and am now in the process of deciding whether to apply for your open Learning & Development Intern position and would appreciate any feedback you might have. Given your background in instructional design, your insights would be greatly appreciated. Would you be available for 15-20 minutes to chat you about your experience at Turnitin over zoom in the next week or two?
Best regards,
Suraj
