You don’t really know how a person can be helpful to you until after your first meeting. Consequently, the opportunity to follow-up at a later date is invaluable. In addition, the more you interact with someone the stronger the relationship becomes. As they become more familiar with you, they are more likely to extend themselves and their network to help  more...

You don’t really know how a person can be helpful to you until after your first meeting. Consequently, the opportunity to follow-up at a later date is invaluable. In addition, the more you interact with someone the stronger the relationship becomes. As they become more familiar with you, they are more likely to extend themselves and their network to help you achieve your goals.  ...less

Whenever you leave any informational meeting, personal or professional, you should ask for an introduction to someone else who can be helpful to you. In order to get the most out of this introduction, prior to your meeting, you should have an understanding of the type of person that can be helpful to you. Don’t ask: “Can you introduce me to someone who c more...

Whenever you leave any informational meeting, personal or professional, you should ask for an introduction to someone else who can be helpful to you. In order to get the most out of this introduction, prior to your meeting, you should have an understanding of the type of person that can be helpful to you. Don’t ask: “Can you introduce me to someone who can help me?” Instead ask, “Can you introduce me to someone at XYZ company, who is in charge of XYZ division”. Make it easy for the person to help you.  ...less

You should come armed to every meeting with your three most pressing questions written down. Did you get that? WRITTEN DOWN. Your questions might change based upon the person you are meeting with; however, if you have done your research, you understand what the person knows. You should make sure that you don’t leave the meeting without asking these quest more...

You should come armed to every meeting with your three most pressing questions written down. Did you get that? WRITTEN DOWN. Your questions might change based upon the person you are meeting with; however, if you have done your research, you understand what the person knows. You should make sure that you don’t leave the meeting without asking these questions.  ...less

Getting diverse perspectives from many people is one of the most important aspects of the job search process. This is the foundation of any informational interview. Note that this is called an informational INTERVIEW. This means that YOU are the INTERVIEWER. Interviewers ask questions. You should have a set of open ended questions that you want to ask t more...

Getting diverse perspectives from many people is one of the most important aspects of the job search process. This is the foundation of any informational interview. Note that this is called an informational INTERVIEW. This means that YOU are the INTERVIEWER. Interviewers ask questions. You should have a set of open ended questions that you want to ask the person, such as:
• How did you get into the business?
• What is the best way for one to position him/herself to get a job in this business?
• What would you have done differently in your career?
• How do you see the industry developing over the next 1,5,10 years?
• What has changed about this business since you entered it?
 ...less

A primary reason to meet with someone is to get their perspective on both your career objectives and your process. Once again, you need to come prepared. You need to have mapped out your objectives. Ideally, you will have shared those objectives IN DETAIL.

You also need to come prepared with specific question, such as:
• What are similar jobs  more...

A primary reason to meet with someone is to get their perspective on both your career objectives and your process. Once again, you need to come prepared. You need to have mapped out your objectives. Ideally, you will have shared those objectives IN DETAIL.

You also need to come prepared with specific question, such as:
• What are similar jobs that I might consider?
• What other companies in the industry should I consider?
• What are the best resources I should use to prepare?
• What strategy would you suggest to gain access?
 ...less

This item appears last on the list, not because it is the least important, but because it may be the most difficult to achieve because it requires a fair amount of work from the person assisting you. However, this is the golden goose. Real feedback on your outputs can make all the difference. In the job search process, the devil is in the details.