Informational interviews serve as an excellent way for college students to gain insight about their future profession. However, it’s important for college students to be aware of a few things first before they ruin a good networking opportunity.
College students attend informational interviews so they can learn first-hand experience from professionals in their field. Not only can you learn about what it’s like to work in your industry, but also you can learn details about work-life balance and how to advance your career.
Sometimes, college students aren’t prepared for their first informational interview. Either they arrive to the interview under-dressed or they think it’s their opportunity to sell themselves to the organization.
If you’re approaching an informational interview, here are six 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 college students 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 you don’t can hurt the connection you made with the professional, too.
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. As mentioned earlier, informational interviews are just as professional as a real job interview. 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.
4. Not bringing business cards. While business cards aren’t a necessity, they are very useful to bring to an informational interview. It also helps you look like a driven college student and budding professional in your industry. Business cards serve as a great networking tool and will make it easier for the professional you interview to stay in touch.
5. Giving the interviewer your resume. While it may seem like a good idea to give the interviewer your resume after the interview, don’t do it. (Unless they specifically request it, of course!) When you give the professional your resume, it makes it appear as if the purpose of the informational interview was to seek internship or job opportunities.
6. Asking the interviewer for an internship or job. Never ask the interviewer if they will hire you for an internship or job. Informational interviews are a great way to learn about how to be prepared for internships and to advance your career, but don’t plan on walking out the door with an opportunity handed to you. Just because you attend an informational interview doesn’t mean you are entitled to a position at the company.
It’s important for college students to understand how informational interviews play an essential role in determining career paths. The earlier you can perform informational interviews, the sooner you can discover your passions. As long as you are aware of these informational interview mistakes, you will be on your way to making valuable connections and gaining useful knowledge.
http://comerecommended.com/2013/06/6-mistakes-college-students-make-during-informational-interviews/
