5 Informational Interview Mistakes to Avoid!
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- Опубликовано: 16 июн 2024
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When done INCORRECTLY, informational interviews actually harms your chances of landing a job at your target company. In this video, I share 5 informational interview mistakes you must avoid at all costs, walk you through the exact wording I would use to come off as composed and confident, and give you a free networking template I made on Google Sheets.
Other than preparing strong informational interview questions for your coffee chats, you want to clarify the time and topic in your initial request for an exploratory interview email. So when they receive your request, they're able to prepare ahead of time as well. After the informational interview, not only do you want to send a thank you note, you also want to make sure you follow up regularly with 3 professionals that are working in fields you are extremely interested in. Most people do not do this (it's a very common mistake) and yet this is a huge mistake you want to avoid.
So the next time you conduct an informational interview (or coffee chat), make sure you brush up on the etiquette mentioned in this video and review the dos and don'ts!
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
01:03 Not Clarifying Time and Topic
02:36 Putting up with Lengthy Answers
03:48 Not Taking Notes
04:57 Not Following Up Regularly
07:17 Having a Weak Ending
08:01 Strong Questions to Ask
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Best Questions to Ask during Informational Interviews: • Informational Intervie...
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I'm Jeff, a full time Product Marketer. In my spare time I like to tinker with tools and create systems that help me get things done faster - or as one of my friends puts it: "Get better at being lazy" 😏
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#networking #success #careertips
Let me know what you think of the networking template! (Link in description since it's so long)
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
01:03 Not Clarifying Time and Topic
02:36 Putting up with Lengthy Answers
03:48 Not Taking Notes
04:57 Not Following Up Regularly
07:17 Having a Weak Ending
08:01 Strong Questions to Ask
Okay now you got me thinking back to all those small mistakes I made. Thanks Jeff......
You have brought such a fresh approach to career help. Your no-frills style is very appealing and makes me want to watch more of your videos. Prior to finding your channel, watching career help videos was a chore. I would always wonder when the speaker would actually get to the important part. I like how you don't take your audience's time for granted. Your video editing also keeps things light and fun. Great job overall.
Thank you so much for the kind words Prajay! I actually decided to make these videos after feeling what you're feeling right now!!
I've just watched 5 of your videos consecutively and I have to say youve not only managed to hype me up to try some of your advice, but I have the rare feeling that I might actually be able to apply and work with your advice. I'm usually unmotivated and fail to meet my own expectations because of the difficulty of the task of reaching out with little to no credibility as a student, as well as having an introverted personality. I hope I get to thank you again some day if and when your advice turns out to be critical, which im sure it will be.
I can totally relate my friend! I was insecure back in college so I can empathize. Good luck and let me know how it goes :)
I know I've commented before on how great your videos are, but man, they really are!! Such practical tips! Cheers!
That's what I love to hear 😁
Jeff, love the spreadsheet. I am all about tracking interactions and actually use Notion to store contacts, log interactions and even prep for meetings. I basically use it as a CRM. It's an awesome tool and I highly recommend it!
Oh that's awesome, thanks for sharing!
This is LITERALLY amazing. I love how you explain things. It gives me a good sense of direction too! Already subscribed from the video before this (how to have informational interview)
Thank you J&J, really appreciate your comment! Hope you enjoy the other videos as well 😁
The follow-up spreadsheet idea is absolutely amazing! Thank you very much for that advice!
No problem!
Thank you Jeff!! those are really good tips!! and also, thanks for the template idea, you're totally right with the follow up! i didn't have that on my mind, and it's really important to track all that
Hi Nicole! Thanks so much! Yes I think one of things holding us back is not having good tools to enable us to continue following up (for example you send that email and then you'll forward about it as other emails come in!). Hopefully the trix proves useful to you :)
Thanks for the video! Following up on the regular is definitely important. I struggle to see how frequently I should follow up otherwise though.
Thanks Mike! Yea prioritization is key here. We'd all like to follow up with all the professionals who made time for us, but the reality is only a few are worthwhile (different for everyone of course)
Broooo I LOVE how you give cliffhangers like in those dramas... in ur video ending connecting it to ur other vid..... This is my 3rd vid in that chain and I so wanna watch the next one! They seem soo imp and i feel like I need to watch it!
Glad to hear it! I hope you're finding them helpful 😁
Thank you Jeff for the networking spreadsheet!
Hi Taniya! You're welcome! Make sure to use it :P
That’s super helpful! I never followed with the interviewee because I didn’t know I was supposed to. Thanks for the advice Jeff!
You're welcome Vicki!
Thanks for the tips! I have an interview tomorrow with job corps people and this helped me a lot! ☺️
Best of luck!!
Thank you so much Jeff! I just completed an interview and the person was very impressed with the questions! l also was thanked for the last question! You are the best :)
Awesome! Best of luck 😁
THIS VIDEO IS A LOT OF VALUE OMG! Thank you Jeff!
You're very welcome my friend 😁
Thanks Jeff!
The spreadsheet will help keep track of professionals I have interacted in person or on LinkedIn.
Yes definitely! But remember to prioritize, you only have so much time to have "high quality" follow ups with professionals you have networked with previously :)
@@JeffSu Yeah sure, Jeff. Will keep that in mind.
Ridiculous that this video has only 5k views. Deserves at least a million views!
I mean I have to say I agree... 😏
hi jeff, i found your channel yesterday, and im on my path to implement all that you've mentioned here and in your other videos.
i just want to say a big thank you for the content you put up
Awesome to hear my friend! Best of luck 😁
@@JeffSu I GOT HIRED JEFF, THANKS TO YOU AND YOUR VIDEOS 💙
@@atikahbaig7046 OH DAM CONGRATS!!!! WOOHOOO
Thanks for the video, Jeff! You might think the video is long but I always wished it was longer! I also love your spreadsheet by the way, it definitely looks better than the one I made 😆
Just one question, what if the other person doesn’t reply to your follow-up email after an interview? From your perspective, what could that signify? (or am I just overthinking this 😅)
Hi Andrea! That really gives me confidence in my skillshare course idea down the line! :).
It depends how you phrased the email. If it's your first follow up, you should thank him or her and then keep the door open for future coffee chat opportunities. If it's like a regular follow up (let's say you send a note once a month), I would stop if they don't respond for 2 times straight. Hope this helps!
Hi Jeff, first, THANK YOU!
Love your videos, super informative, and funny, and you have incredible charisma and a sense of humour and energy.
I'm in the middle of landing my dream job, and your videos are TREASURE! All informational interviews went well, however, I was wondering if maybe you can make a short video on how to follow up and what to say, and how to close the interview apart from asking about anyone else? Something like " if you will be in my situation, what steps and actions you will do to be part of the company?" Especially in interviews with directors or senior positions and I am just an entry-level. Thank you.
Ps think the google spreadsheets don't work, maybe it's possible to find them on your website?
Just updated the link! Let me know if it works now
Wow, this is beyond useful, never thought about it this way.
Glad to hear it! Yea I wish I knew about some of these tips earlier too 😁
I have one of these tonight as a Travel Agent! I'm hoping I can do well so hopefully I can get a final interview and the job itself.
I'm a college student so a job like that would be amazing for me
Best of luck!!!
I like your template. I reckon I should rebuild a rapport with some professionals by using the template strategically Thanks Jeff.
Glad to hear it Jamie, you're very welcome!
Thanks so much for the helpful tips, Jeff!
Was wondering what your thoughts are on sending a portfolio link/resume in the intro email, before having had the coffee chat with the person?
It really depends on how well you know that person but if it's a first time meet up, I would NOT recommend sending a resume (a portfolio link is fine if it's a design-related industry). A resume would be too presumptuous :)
Thanks for sharing the 5 mistakes bit, Jeff!
No problem!
These are awesome, thanks Jeff!!
Thank you Araceli 😁
I really like your shirt in this video lol. Also a great video! Thanks
Haha thanks! It's a tailored shirt I got for cheap in China 😁
Hi Jeff! I used your guide for an informational interview I had 3 weeks ago, and it went great! I tried to re-connect with the professional as he requested the following Monday, but still haven't heard back. Would you recommend reaching out again? P.S Your content is amazing
Hi Zach - Glad to hear you enjoy the content!! If he requested you follow up, you should definitely reach out again. Remember, everyone is extremely busy and have their own priorities, so if you send a gentle reminder, it wouldn't hurt at all 😁
Thanks for the video, Jeff
You're very welcome Brenda 😁
Thanks a ton Jeff for your content. I just found your channel because I'm new in this concept. However, I didn't see a video about how to request and Informational interview, any tips? Please!
Check out my networking videos 😁
I always enjoy your videos, I am watching it once a day.
I want to ask you, I do not know if you already made a video about this, but what is the probability that you end up on a kind of HR blacklist if you make too many mistakes? Are different HR offices and sectors interlinked especially from different departments of the same company? Is there a possibility that information you share with a specific recruiter can maybe be shared by the same recruiter ruining your chances for another role inside the same company?
Nah I wouldn't worry too much about it. You might be blacklisted in 1 company, not across the sector
Very helpful. Subbed! I am wondering how to go about asking to schedule one of these. Would we refer to them as informational interviews in the request or is that too literal/direct?
Use "Coffee Chat" if you think informational interview is too format 😁
@@JeffSu thank you! Fantastic content!
Thank you ☺️
You're welcome Farhad 😁
You're awesome!
Thanks Omar! You are too! 😁
LIVING BUDDHA.. NICE ONE!!!
Yessss 😁
Hi! thank you for your videos :) Have an informational interview with the managing partner tomorrow, do you have any tips? Thanks!
Check out all my networking videos before tomorrow haha
Hi Jeff. Thanks for sharing these wonferful tips! May I know where is the link of the spreedsheet? Appreciate it!
It's in the video description 😁
@@JeffSu Got it. Thank you so much!
@@lingge989 you’re welcome!!
Thanks Jeff! Would u pls share ur success and not so success stories w the coffee chats u had/have?:)
I have way too many failures to share 😉
Hi Jeff, thank you for your insight and videos! Definitely was super helpful following up to a coffee chat I was quite nervous about.
I had question regarding your follow-up regularly section - if this is someone perhaps super busy, and we had been communicating through more casual means such as WhatsApp - I don't want to overstep boundaries by "bothering" them in a month's time, what do you recommend to be the best way to follow-up? For example, I'm sure there won't be industry news that they don't already know, or not much I can relate back to from our conversation (and don't want it to seem forced...)
Are you bothering your friend after they just had a child and you ask them in 1 month "Hey how's the baby doing?!" Of course not because it shows you care. Same concept applies here
And there's no way someone knows all the industry news 😉
thank you for your reply! I'll keep that in mind and keep up with what I can in the industry😁@@JeffSu
👍👍
Thanks 😁
Hi, Jeff Iam changing my working profession from teaching in school to working as software testing,plz help me out how to handle this question during interview round
You should address this when they ask you "Tell me about yourself" and you should mention transferable skills. Good luck 😁
Thanks Jeff !
What is the ex column for on the spreadsheet?
Hi - What "ex" column are you referring to?
@@JeffSu it's the first column in the spreadsheet
@@jentheuriet You mean the row? It means example :)
How do you send a gentle reminder email to someone that has not messaged you back. I don't want to sound pushy.
Depends on the context. Is it a follow up after an interview or coffee chat?
If interview, something like: "Hi Ms. Jones, I hope this finds you safe and well! I wanted to quickly follow up after our chat last week and see whether there were any additional points I could help clarify for you..."
Best of luck!
@@JeffSu A man who worked at the company I'm aiming for asked me to send my design portfolio and resume via email. I sent the email and it's been about a week since I sent the email. They are hiring right now so I want to be at the forefront of their minds.
@@roter13 then you can ask them what they think of your portfolio with a gentle nudge 😁
This guy in 2020: not sponsored by Muji (4:10)
Also this guy in 2021: got a sponsored video from Notion 😂
But still no muji 😭
@@JeffSu I hope Sundar’s favourite employee can get a raise to afford one🥺 for his hard work promoting the Google ecosystem 🤣🤣🤣
Man, I hate interviews.
I used to as well!
Wish I saw this two days ago🥲
It's okay, next time!!