Using Informational Interviews Expand Your Social Network

by Beverly Aarons 26. April 2010 08:39

Conducting an informational interview can be integral to doing your homework on an organization you're considering working with in the future; but it can also offer an opportunity to expand your social network. Here are a few tips on how you can use your informational interview to expand you social network:

Once you have finished the informational interview, don’t forget to follow-up with a thank you letter and an offer to stay in touch.
While conducting your informational interview be sure to identify commonality with the interviewee. For example, if the interviewee attended your college, make sure you mention that fact and then mention it again in your follow-up letter.
Invite the interviewee to any events you may attend in the future that may benefit them. Also, don’t be afraid to connect them to people who you think may help this person’s career. Don’t make the mistake of believing that just because he/she has a certain title/position that you cannot help them or that they may not be interested in attending events with you, if those events are beneficial to them.
With the interviewee’s permission, forward to them article clippings that may be of interest to them and let them know of any progress you’ve made in your career.
Take the time to ask them how they are doing once in awhile; but make sure you don’t inundate them with emails or phone calls.
Ask if you can add them to your online social network, such as LinkedIn. Using online tools such as LinkedIn, show them your value to offer links and posts of relevance and value.

Using Informational Interviews Expand Your Social Network

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