Rob Bagley outlines how to prepare for informational interviews using two tools: research the person's role and responsibilities first, then use the TIARA method to craft 3-5 questions about their favorite aspects of the job, how they got there, and what concrete next steps they'd recommend like books or referrals.
Now that you've sent those messages requesting the informational interviews, let's learn how to prepare for it. It's essential to know a few things about the person you'll be talking to. To help you know exactly what you should know, we've created a document called Know Your Professional Guide. You should be looking for a position, responsibilities, and skills needed in your specific area. By doing this, you'll be able to have a better conversation with the professional. The second thing you'll want to prepare for an informational interview is the questions you're going to ask. As discussed in "The 2-Hour Job Search" by Steve Dalton, you could use the TIARA method to help you prepare your questions. Here are the kinds of things you should be asking. Ask questions to help you understand the roles, such as what are the favorite aspects of your role? What is your least favorite? Ask questions that help you understand their path and how they got to where they are. Ask questions to give you an assignment. What classes should I take? What skills should I learn? What books should I read? Or who else could I talk to? Make sure you choose 3 to 5 questions to ask in an interview, and always make sure you ask a question that gives you an assignment. This allows for a straightforward way to follow up with a professional later. Remember that you can be flexible with the questions you've prepared. Depending on how the conversation flows, you might want to adjust your questions and And that's okay. If you ask insightful, genuine questions, you'll have a great informational interview.
