Informational interviews are an excellent way to gain insight about your future career direction. However, if done wrong, these interviews can easily ruin a good networking opportunity… and your chance to land a job with that company.
If you’re approaching an informational interview, here are the six most common mistakes to avoid:
1. Not Following Up After the Interview
Don’t let the professional think you disappeared into thin air after the informational interview. Many don’t realize how important the connection they make with the professional during the interview is. Even worse, saying you’re going to follow-up (and then don’t) will negatively impact your personal brand.2. Not Preparing a List of Questions to Ask the Interviewer
An informational interview is just as important as a real job interview. This is an opportunity for you to learn everything you could possibly want to know about your future career. From drilling the professional with questions about how they achieve work-life balance to asking them about the most rewarding parts of their career, be sure to have a list of at least 10 questions to ask during the interview.3. Unprofessional Attire
Don’t show up to the interview in your khakis, tennis shoes, and a polo. When you arrive to the interview, make sure you are dressed to impress. You can never overdress for an informational interview, so when in doubt, wear appropriate business professional attire.
Mistakes 4-6 and the complete article
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