Informational Interviews - What NOT to do!

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--- Informational Interview Mistakes (Informational Interview Do's and Don'ts!) ---
Informational interviews are an important part of your job search. They are a great way to learn about a field you want to work in. As a career coach, I see a lot of flyers from university career centers telling you what you should do.
These are often recipe driven and the people who write these up usually make their careers out of being career center people. Many have not actually worked in the environments you want to go work, so they don't see how people actually do these wrong. Well, I have, and I want to tell you four things I've seen people do wrong.

[@lauraaa678]

This is the best video I've seen on informational interviews! Excellent advice. Being grateful and genuinely interested in learning is so much more effective than just telling them you want the job. I never realized how truly important this kind of networking is for potentially getting a job. Thank you so much for you wonderful videos. I've been struggling for such a long time and I was applying only through job sites. Networking is the way to go!

[@TurningScienceVideo]

Thank you for the wonderful feedback! I'm so glad to hear that it helped. It really is about building relationships - people who get to know you and what you are about. I wish you continued success!

[@mahammadbabayev2250]

That video is the best when it comes to informational interview. So happy to find this video. Disappointed cause it should have many more views!

[@reviewsbytotalbrent4120]

I do Zoom interview with job searching candidates several times a week but have not done any informational Interviews using Zoom. I can tell you that in many ways I prefer working on Zoom to working in an office environment or in some cases even one on one. In a video interview the focus is one on one and taking notes is easy and even having some notes for the conversation is easy. I have been telling my candidates to go for informational interviews using video because it will be easier to get the contact to fit you into their schedule. They also may be more likely to open up. The feeling of "no witnesses" is strong on video even though it shouldn't be it is.

[@TurningScienceVideo]

Great input. Thanks!

[@JD-dz9lx]

Thank you for the coffee shop anecdote!

[@TurningScienceVideo]

You're welcome! It made such an impression on me that I figured I should share.

[@peacebeuponyou2too]

Loved the etiquette point. Often overlooked by some. So true.

[@TurningScienceVideo]

Thanks! It really turns me off, so I wanted to make that point clear.

[@ande4493]

This is great advice, thank you so much!

[@TurningScienceVideo]

You're welcome! I'm so glad you found it helpful.

[@louiscafaro3207]

Didn’t even know these were a thing and just realized that I’ve actually done a few of them

[@TurningScienceVideo]

Louis Cafaro - Good for you!

[@veronicastewart8921]

Also, just bought your book on Kindle! Congrats!

[@TurningScienceVideo]

Thank you! I’d love to hear what you think about it.

[@jeffz7310]

I have done so many

[@reviewsbytotalbrent4120]

Very good overview. The informational interview is in some ways easier in the new Zoom world but I wonder if it is still as effective for both sides?

[@TurningScienceVideo]

That's a great question, Brent. Nothing beats an in-person conversation. I'd love to hear input from people on how they find the Zoom vs in-person difference. The one thing that I have been telling people is that the current environment makes location a non-issue now, as we have to Zoom with anyone we connect with. Not sure if that's better or worse, though.

[@Katie-bo7du]

I think I'm doing this wrong. I mostly stalk people regarding their career path not their company. But I never received an email regarding to setup an information interviewed.

[@veronicastewart8921]

I'm such a curious person, I didn't realize I was conducting impromptu informational interviews when I asked people to 'pick their brain". lol oops? They've gone well though!

[@TurningScienceVideo]

Good for you, Veronica! That is an excellent habit to keep through your entire career.