Networking, Informational Interviews

• Grow your network
  
• Nurture relationships
  
• Share your brand
  
  

Space

• Geography and/or
  
• Profession and/or
  
• Industry
  
  

find people to talk with?

• Referrals from your network
  
• LinkedIn
  
  

Prople talk to

• Power connectors
  
• Industry experts
  
• Potential boss
  
  
  

Invite to talk

• via Email
  Part 1: Strong subject
  Part 2: Context
  Part 3: What you want
  Part 4: Next step
  Part 5: Email signature with your branding
  

• on phone
  Part 1: Introduction
  Part 2: Context
  Part 3: What you want
  Part 4: Next step / availability
  Part 5: Thank you / confirmation

  Hi Megan, my name is Jason Alba.
  Aaron was telling me that you are one of the best thinkers he knows in
  the industry.
  I am doing some research and would love to get 20 minutes with you to
  ask a few questions. [or: to get your perspective]
  Can I come to your office next week for a 20 minute meeting?
  Great, I’ll see you on Wednesday at 9 at your office. Thank you!

Handle declined invitation

• ask for referrals
  
• try later, maybe it’s bad timing.
  
  
  

Asking about company

• Industry revenues (size of industry)
  
• Customers (B2B B2C C2C)
  
• Products (breadth and depth)
  
• Trends (maturing new disruptors)
  
• News
  
• Management/Players (conference speakers)
  
• Leaders, pioneeers
  
  

Research person

• length of time working there
  
• past companies
  
• past jobs
  
• lived
  
• specialties
  
• volunteer endeavors
  
• prsentations/conferences
  
• Coworkers
  
  • Titles
    
  • Background on those people
    
    

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SWOT_analysis

Prepare the Agenda

• drive conversation
  
• Introduction
  
• Questions
  
• Conclusion
  
  • Ask/offer
    
  • referrals
    
    

Questions

• Show interest
  
• Show passion/expertise
  
• Be purposeful
  

• get information

  • Industry
    
  • Organizatiom
    
  • Position
    

  • Where do you see this industry (or profession) going in the next few years?
    Respects THEIR opinion/perspective

  • What changes have you seen in the course of your career so far?
    Respects THEIR experience
    Get perspective that Google couldn’t give

  • What are the hard-to-find skills that this industry (or company) is looking for?
    Do your skills match?
    Do you need to improve certain skills? Helps you move past assumptions

  • Would you choose this field if you had to do it over again? Why or why not?
    Maybe you’ll relate to what they love or don’t love
    You might learn about other positions that you hadn’t thought of

  • What are the biggest technology changes influencing this business?
    Great industry question
    Can you solve these problems? Is there a business opportunity?

  • What do you read to keep up with developments in your field or industry?
    Shows passion and interest
    Shows commitment to continuing education

  • What are some of the biggest challenges facing your company and your industry?
    Understanding of competition, threats and trends
    Shows business interest/aptitude

Logistics

• Know where to meet
  
• Ask for cellphone
  
• clothing
  
  
  

#@ dig your well before you’re thirsty

• Smile
  
• Say name to remember
  
• Comment on their responses
  “That’s interesting. Why do you think…?”
  
• Every part of your communication impacts your branding
  

• The thoughtfulness or epth of your questions

• Positive Branding:

  • Knowledgeable
    
  • Good thinker
    
  • Quick thinker
    
  • Nice
    
  • Good communicator
    

• Negative Branding:

  • NOT referable!
    
    
    

Who else should I talk to?
Can you introduce me to them?
What can I do for you?

• Recurring Follow-up
  
  • Share news
    
  • Ask question
    
  • Make invitation
    
  • Ask for invitation
    
  • Stay in touch
    
• NURTURE the relationship
  
  

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