How to Get the Most Out of an Informational Interview

Networking is important in any industry, and sports are no different. One effective way to make connections is through informational interviews. But, once you have secured one, what are the best practices? That's what Jean-Christian from the University of San Francisco asks the WorkInSports Podcast:

"First, I wanted to say I love your WIS podcast. You bring an energized and dynamic vibe to the great content, and it makes it always enjoyable to listen to every week.

"I’ve started to reach out to professionals in different fields for informational interviews and try to take a different and personalized approach with every generous professional willing to take a few minutes on a call with me. But I sometimes feel like I'm running with the same shallow questions. What would you advise for informational interview preparation and how to approach them?"

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Questions to Ask in An Informational Interview

If you secure an informational interview, you can get the most out of the time the professional is giving you by preparing accordingly. That means having specific questions to ask that show you have done your research on who you are interviewing. A few good starting points include:

• How did you find your fit in this industry?
• What do you love most about your job?
• What skills did you learn in college that helped you succeed in your career?

Listen intently to their answers to your questions, as the objective of an informational interview is to learn from them, not to hear your voice. Afterward, make sure you follow up and thank them for their time. It is also important to nurture that relationship by checking in with them every few months (with something other than "do you have any jobs available").

Subscribe to the WorkInSports Podcast to hear Brian Clapp's sports career advice when a new episode is available. Select episodes can also be viewed on our YouTube channel.