{"id":17234,"date":"2019-03-21T20:26:45","date_gmt":"2019-03-21T20:26:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sparkvisionnow.com\/?p=17234"},"modified":"2019-03-21T20:26:45","modified_gmt":"2019-03-21T20:26:45","slug":"informational-interviews-12-questions-you-can-ask-to-spark-connection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sunneez.com\/sparkvision\/informational-interviews-12-questions-you-can-ask-to-spark-connection\/","title":{"rendered":"12 Questions You Can Ask To Spark Connection"},"content":{"rendered":"

12 Essential Questions to Spark Connections During Informational Interviews and Networking Events<\/h1>\n

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Kyle Elliott<\/strong>, MPA, CHES\u00a0 runs CaffeinatedKyle.com<\/a>. His goal is simple \u2013 to help people find jobs they LOVE (or at least tolerate). This help takes many forms, from Career and Life Coaching to resumes and cover letters to interview prep and salary negotiation. Kyle loves coffee (if you couldn\u2019t tell), writing and eating the same thing at different restaurants.\u00a0Connect with him on LinkedIn<\/a>\u00a0where you\u2019ll often find him talking about work, life, and Starbucks.<\/em><\/p>\n

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I gathered 6 industry experts for a discussion on <\/span>one of my favorite methods for finding a mentor<\/b> \u2013 informational interviews<\/span> (preferably while<\/span><\/i> drinking lattes<\/span><\/i><\/a>).<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Before jumping into this expert panel, though, let\u2019s discuss the basics of informational interviews. <\/span><\/p>\n

Career and personal branding expert Wendi Weiner shares, \u201c<\/span>Informational interviews give you a chance to broaden your network and scope of tapping into an industry that you may be seeking entry into, as well as seeking to learn more about.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

She adds, \u201cIf you are looking to make a career change, an informational interview can be ideal to navigate the waters before making the leap into a new career.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen it comes to informational interviews, you want to remember that they aren’t the same thing as a standard job interview\u201d reminds Weiner. <\/span><\/p>\n

According to Weiner, \u201cThe informational interview is most often set up as an informal meeting without a long-term proposal or prospective offer for employment. However, it is an opportunity for you to learn as much as you can about the company and do what I call \u2018fact-gather\u2019 about the company’s inside workings, as well as the industry perspective of the person you are meeting with.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

12 Questions to Ask During Your Next Informational Interview or Networking Event:<\/b><\/p>\n

About the person<\/b><\/p>\n

Before diving into questions about your interviewee\u2019s company and position, learn about them as a person:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. How did you get to where you are? <\/span>(Courtesy of Virginia Franco,<\/span><\/i> Virginia Franco Resumes<\/span><\/i><\/a>)<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n
  2. What other roles have you seen people with your same title progress to? <\/span>(Courtesy of Lakrisha Davis,<\/span><\/i> Lakrisha Davis & Co.<\/span><\/i><\/a>)<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n
  3. Looking back at your career, what do you wish you had done more of? <\/span>(Courtesy of Sam Dias,<\/span><\/i> ARISE by Sam Dias<\/span><\/i>)<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    About the position and company<\/b><\/p>\n

    If your informational interview is centered on learning about a specific position, consider these questions:<\/span><\/p>\n

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    1. What do you like the most and least about your job? <\/span>(Courtesy of Virginia Franco)<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n
    2. What education, experience or training do you find most crucial to your success in your current role? <\/span>(Courtesy of Ashley Watkins,<\/span><\/i> Write Steps Resumes, LLC<\/span><\/i><\/a>)<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n
    3. I visited your LinkedIn profile and noticed you\u2019d worked for ABC Company for 11 years, what was it about Company XYZ that influenced your excitement about leaving something so familiar? <\/span>(Courtesy of Ashley Watkins)<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n
    4. What have you learned about the role or company you wish you knew before you started? <\/span>(Courtesy of Ashley Watkins)<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      About the culture<\/b><\/p>\n

      Learning about a company\u2019s culture can be challenging. Try these high-impact culture questions:<\/span><\/p>\n

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      1. What is your turnover like and what do you think is the greatest opportunity to reduce it? <\/span>(Courtesy of MaryBeth Hyland,<\/span><\/i> SparkVision<\/span><\/i><\/a>)<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n
      2. Can I speak with the person who had this position last? <\/span>(Courtesy of MaryBeth Hyland)<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n
      3. If there was one thing you could change about the culture here, what would it be and why? <\/span>(Courtesy of MaryBeth Hyland)<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        About the industry<\/b><\/p>\n

        Now that you know about your interviewee, and their position, company, and culture, it\u2019s time to dive into the industry:<\/span><\/p>\n

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        1. What other companies did you interview with before accepting your current role?<\/span> (Courtesy of Lakrisha Davis)<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n
        2. What challenges do you face on a daily basis in your role and in your industry, and where do you think the future of the industry is headed?<\/span> (Courtesy of Wendi Weiner,<\/span><\/i> The Writing Guru\u00ae<\/span><\/i><\/a>)<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Follow-up<\/b> (BONUS!)<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

          You had a great conversation, you like their company\u2019s culture, and wouldn\u2019t mind having your interviewee as a mentor, now what? You need to follow up! But how?<\/span><\/p>\n

          Here are a few ways to follow up and stay connected with your interviewee:<\/span><\/p>\n