Have or Schedule 2 Informational Interviews This Week
Informational interviews compound over time. Each conversation gives you new information, new contacts, and a new potential advocate. By Week 3 you should be having at least 2 of these conversations per week. The relationships you build now will continue to pay dividends long after this job search is over.
Informational interviews compound over time. Each conversation gives you new information, new contacts, and a new potential advocate. By Week 3 you should be having at least 2 of these conversations per week. The relationships you build now will continue to pay dividends long after this job search is over.
Step by Step
Check whether you have any informational interviews already scheduled If yes, prepare thoroughly for each one using the questions you developed in Week 1.
If you do not have 2 scheduled this week reach out to 2 new people today Choose people at your target companies, in your target role, or who have been recommended to you through previous conversations.
Before each informational interview do 10 minutes of research on the person Look at their LinkedIn profile, recent posts, career history, and any content they have published. This allows you to ask specific and genuinely interesting questions.
During each conversation listen more than you talk The goal is to learn, not to pitch yourself. Ask your prepared questions, follow the conversation where it goes naturally, and be genuinely curious.
End every conversation by asking two things First: "Is there anyone else you would recommend I speak with?" This is how your network grows exponentially. Second: "Is there anything I can do to be helpful to you?" This shifts the dynamic from purely transactional and builds genuine goodwill.
Tips for success
The best informational interviews feel like interesting professional conversations, not job interviews. Relax into them.
Taking brief notes during or immediately after each conversation while details are fresh helps you follow up more specifically and remember who told you what.