Have or Schedule 2 Informational Interviews This Week
Informational interviews are your most powerful tool as a career changer. They give you access to the inside knowledge, relationships, and referrals that a resume alone can never generate. Every conversation is a chance to demonstrate your genuine commitment to the new field and build a relationship with someone who may become a future advocate or colleague.
Informational interviews are your most powerful tool as a career changer. They give you access to the inside knowledge, relationships, and referrals that a resume alone can never generate. Every conversation is a chance to demonstrate your genuine commitment to the new field and build a relationship with someone who may become a future advocate or colleague.
Step by Step
Check whether you have any informational interviews already scheduled this week If yes, prepare thoroughly. If no, reach out to 2 new people today.
Prioritize people who have made a similar transition By Week 3 you should be actively seeking out people who changed careers into your target field from a similar background. These conversations are uniquely valuable because the person has firsthand knowledge of exactly what you are navigating.
Before each conversation spend 10 minutes researching the person Look at their LinkedIn profile, recent posts, and career history. Specific questions based on real research make these conversations more valuable for both sides.
Prepare questions specific to career changers For someone who made a similar transition:
What was the most important thing you did to make your transition credible to employers?
What skills from your previous career ended up being most valuable in your new field?
How long did your transition take and what would you do differently?
What would you look for in a career changer if you were hiring for your current role?
Is there anyone else you would recommend I speak with?
End every conversation by asking who else they would recommend you speak with and whether there is anything you can do to be helpful to them
Send a specific thank you within 24 hours of each conversation
Tips for success
The question "Is there anything I can do to be helpful to you?" is one most people never ask in an informational interview. It signals that you are not just extracting value but genuinely interested in building a reciprocal relationship.
People who made the same career change you are attempting are often the most generous with their time and advice because they remember how hard it was and want to help others through it.