Best Ways To Request Follow-up On An Informational Interview

Best Ways To Request Follow-up On An Informational Interview Genuine, authentic interest in another persons story.   Thats what informational interviews are all about.   They are one of my favorite ways to Research a new career.     You get to find out quickly and easily what it takes to be successful and what the person loves (and doesnt love about his/her job.)   Talk about looking before you leap!Unfortunately, I find people dont know how to request this kind of conversation or follow-up from it in a way that builds a relationship.   So today, Im here to show you how.   Recently I was asked to do an informational interview with a prospective coach and appreciated the way she requested the conversation and followed up.   Her emails are shared below with permission.Example Email To Request For an Informational InterviewDear Ms. Mistal,I discovered your work while searching for the most successful individuals in the field of career coaching. Your mission to empower others to take charge of their careers and pursue their passions really resona tes with me. I watched the video in which you told the story of how you became a career coach and I was impressed that you were able to build your business while working full time and without much coaching experience. I am interested in becoming a career coach and would love to hear more about how you became a leader in the career coaching field. Would you be willing to spare 20 minutes, at your convenience, to tell me more about your journey?Thank you very much for your time.Sincerely,Monica MilanoExample Email To Follow Up On An Informational InterviewHi Maggie,Thank you again for taking the time out of your busy schedule to speak with me yesterday. The information and advice you provided was incredibly helpful and greatly exceeded my expectations.   I appreciate how much you were willing to share with me.   Our conversation left me with a lot to reflect upon.  Sincerely,Monica MilanoReading these emails, its important to notice how Monica gives specific reasons why she wanted to speak with me.   Notice also how she did not go into very much detail about herself but saved that for our call after shed had a chance to hear my story.   She also came prepared to our call with questions and showed me she was listening by reacting to my comments with her thoughts.  For my favorite informational interviewing questions check out my new self-study Research workbook.  Now, its not all about me. But it is all about whomever you are looking to informational interview.   Youve got to make it about them to 1) learn what you need to about their experience in the career you are thinking of pursuing and 2) to build a relationship with this established person to find ways to work together should you confirm this is the right career for you.  Enjoy getting to know someone whos doing what you think youd like to do.   Be curious about how they got to where they are and youll learn the steps you need to get where you want to be.