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Informational Interviews

Informational interviewing is one of the most effective networking strategies to help you increase the size of your network, nurture relationships, and share your brand in your industry.

Networking is one of the most important things you can do for your career, but how and when to network can be confusing. In this course, Informational Interviews, you'll gain the ability to network through informational interviewing. First, you'll explore the preparation before the interview. Next, you'll discover what you do when you're there. Finally, you'll learn what to do after you've finished the interview. When you're finished with this course, you'll have the skills and knowledge of informational interviewing to powerfully ramp up your networking.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview

Before the Informational Interview

During the Informational Interview

After the Informational Interview

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops networking skills which are foundational in building a career

Taught by Jason Alba, a recognized instructor in the field of networking

Teaches informational interviewing, a valuable technique for networking

Covers the core aspects of informational interviewing: preparation, execution, and follow-up

Explores techniques for building relationships and sharing one's brand in the industry

Suitable for individuals seeking to enhance their networking skills for career development

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Informational Interviews with these activities:

Identify potential mentors

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Identify more experienced professionals who can provide guidance and support as you build your career

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Attend industry events and meetups
Reach out to people on LinkedIn
Ask your friends and colleagues for referrals

Review basic interviewing skills

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Reviewing basic interviewing skills will help you prepare for the practical aspects of informational interviews.

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Read articles or blog posts about common interview questions
Practice answering interview questions out loud
Ask a friend or family member to conduct a mock interview

Create a list of potential interview questions

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Creating a list of potential interview questions will help you prepare for the informational interviews.

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Brainstorm a list of questions you might be asked
Research common interview questions for your industry
Organize your questions into categories
Practice answering your questions

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Develop a plan for your informational interviews

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Creating a plan for the questions you will ask will help you get the most out of your informational interviews.

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Determine your goals for the interviews
Identify potential interviewees
Research your interviewees
Develop a list of questions to ask
Schedule your interviews

Attend industry events

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Attending industry events is a great way to meet professionals in your field and learn about potential job opportunities.

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Research industry events in your area
Register for events that interest you
Prepare an elevator pitch
Dress professionally and bring business cards

Conduct a series of informational interviews

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Conducting a series of informational interviews is the most direct way to put the skills you learn in this course into practice.

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Prepare for your interviews
Conduct your interviews
Follow up with your interviewees
Reflect on your experiences

Write a summary of your learnings

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Writing a summary of what you learned will help you retain the information and identify areas where you need more practice.

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Review your notes from your interviews
Identify the key takeaways
Write a summary of your learnings
Share your summary with others

Create a portfolio of your informational interviews

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A portfolio with your takeaways, notes, and other resources from your informational interviews will be a useful resource as you continue your job search.

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Gather your materials from your interviews
Create a digital or physical portfolio
Organize your portfolio into sections
Share your portfolio with potential employers

Career center

Learners who complete Informational Interviews will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Career Counselor

A Career Counselor helps people to make career decisions and find jobs. This course on Informational Interviews may be useful for someone in this role, as it can help them to build a network of professionals in the field and learn more about the latest trends in career counseling. The course can also help Career Counselors to develop the skills they need to conduct successful informational interviews.

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Recruiter

A Recruiter is responsible for finding and hiring new employees for an organization. This course on Informational Interviews may be useful for someone in this role, as it can help them to build a network of potential candidates and learn more about the industry. The course can also help Recruiters to develop the skills they need to conduct successful informational interviews.

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Human Resources Manager

A Human Resources Manager is responsible for overseeing all aspects of human resources for an organization. This course on Informational Interviews may be useful for someone in this role, as it can help them to build a network of professionals in the field and learn more about the latest trends in human resources. The course can also help Human Resources Managers to develop the skills they need to conduct successful informational interviews.

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Nonprofit Manager

A Nonprofit Manager is responsible for overseeing all aspects of a nonprofit organization. This course on Informational Interviews may be useful for someone in this role, as it can help them to build a network of donors and other stakeholders. The course can also help Nonprofit Managers to develop the skills they need to conduct successful informational interviews.

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Talent Acquisition Specialist

A Talent Acquisition Specialist is responsible for attracting and hiring the best talent for an organization. This course on Informational Interviews may be useful for someone in this role, as it can help them to build a network of potential candidates and learn more about the industry. The course can also help Talent Acquisition Specialists to develop the skills they need to conduct successful informational interviews.

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Data Analyst

A Data Analyst is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to help businesses make decisions. This course on Informational Interviews may be useful for someone in this role, as it can help them to build a network of potential clients and learn more about the industry. The course can also help Data Analysts to develop the skills they need to conduct successful informational interviews.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Financial Analyst

A Financial Analyst is responsible for analyzing financial data and making recommendations to investors. This course on Informational Interviews may be useful for someone in this role, as it can help them to build a network of potential clients and learn more about the industry. The course can also help Financial Analysts to develop the skills they need to conduct successful informational interviews.

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Operations Manager

An Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of an organization. This course on Informational Interviews may be useful for someone in this role, as it can help them to build a network of colleagues and learn more about the industry. The course can also help Operations Managers to develop the skills they need to conduct successful informational interviews.

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Business Development Manager

A Business Development Manager is responsible for generating new business for an organization. This course on Informational Interviews may be useful for someone in this role, as it can help them to build a network of potential customers and learn more about the industry. The course can also help Business Development Managers to develop the skills they need to conduct successful informational interviews.

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Project Manager

A Project Manager is responsible for planning and executing projects for an organization. This course on Informational Interviews may be useful for someone in this role, as it can help them to build a network of stakeholders and learn more about the industry. The course can also help Project Managers to develop the skills they need to conduct successful informational interviews.

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Marketing Manager

A Marketing Manager is responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns for an organization. This course on Informational Interviews may be useful for someone in this role, as it can help them to build a network of potential customers and learn more about the industry. The course can also help Marketing Managers to develop the skills they need to conduct successful informational interviews.

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Public relations manager

A Public Relations Manager is responsible for managing the public image of an organization. This course on Informational Interviews may be useful for someone in this role, as it can help them to build a network of journalists and other media professionals. The course can also help Public Relations Managers to develop the skills they need to conduct successful informational interviews.

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Event Planner

An Event Planner is responsible for planning and executing events for an organization. This course on Informational Interviews may be useful for someone in this role, as it can help them to build a network of vendors and other professionals in the industry. The course can also help Event Planners to develop the skills they need to conduct successful informational interviews.

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Sales Manager

A Sales Manager is responsible for leading and managing a team of sales professionals. This course on Informational Interviews may be useful for someone in this role, as it can help them to build a network of potential customers and learn more about the industry. The course can also help Sales Managers to develop the skills they need to conduct successful informational interviews.

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Software Engineer

A Software Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining software systems. This course on Informational Interviews may be useful for someone in this role, as it can help them to build a network of potential employers and learn more about the industry. The course can also help Software Engineers to develop the skills they need to conduct successful informational interviews.

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Reading list

We've selected 15 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Informational Interviews.

The Pathfinder

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Is helpful in teaching the fundamentals of networking and how it relates to personal branding for professional development. It also provides tips for using social media and other online tools to build relationships and advance your career.

Informational Interviews

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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