1. Informational
Interviewing
beenakavalam.com
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101: The Basics

2. What to Expect

3. Here's
what
you'll
learn
in
this
training:
• Why
personal
branding
is
important
and
how
it’s
cri:cal
for
informa:onal
interviewing
• What
informa:onal
interviewing
is
and
why
it’s
a
must
for
your
networking
strategy
• Step
by
Step
simple
process
for
finding,
prepping
and
execu:ng
your
informa:onal
interviews
beenakavalam.com
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4. Go Brand
Yourself

5. Introduction
• Career & Life Strategist for Women on the
Rise

6. The
BRAND
OWN your brand…
or someone else
will.
Why Brand You?

7. WHO + YOU + WHY
=
How to Brand YOU
Personal Competitive
Advantage™

8. The Info
Interview

9. What is an Informational
Interview?
Informal
conversa5on
with
a
professional
working
in
an
area
of
interest
to
you.
S/he
will
give
you
informa:on
and
advice
on
your
field
of
interest.
beenakavalam.com
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10. Why
conduct
Informa:onals?
• Gather
Research
tool
to
learn
about
new
industry,
func:on,
role,
etc.
• Build
Your
Network
• Improve
Your
Communica:on
Skills
+
Prac:ce
your
Story
• Do
NOT
ask
for
a
job/internship
-­‐
It
is
not
a
job
interview!
beenakavalam.com
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11. How
do
I
find
people
to
interview?
• Personal
Network
• Linkedin
• Others…
– Conferences
– Networking
Events
beenakavalam.com
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12. How
do
I
find
people
to
interview?
• Personal
Network
• Linkedin
• Others…
EXERCISE:
(1
min)
Brainstorm
5
ways
to
connect
with
people
for
info
interviews.
beenakavalam.com
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13. The
Lead
Up
1) Meet
/
find
contact
OR
Develop
your
wish
list
of
interviewees
and
connect
via
Linkedin
or
personal
network
2) Build
Rapport
3) Find
Commonality
4) Send
Thank
You
within
24
hours
5) Ask
for
Informa:onal
Interview
–
BOOK
IT!
beenakavalam.com
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14. The
Prep
1) Research
the
field/role/
company
first.
2) Prep
for
the
Interview.
-­‐ 30
sec
pitch
-­‐ Outline
your
open
ended
?s
3)
Create
your
notes
sheet
4)
Conduct
Interview
5)
Thank
you
+
follow
up
beenakavalam.com
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15. The
Notes
Sheet
beenakavalam.com
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Logis5cs
Name
Company/Role
Phone
Date
to
Call
Notes
on
YOU
Key
Strengths:
-­‐Why
you
are
great
-­‐Differen:ators
-­‐So
what?
Ques5ons
1)
2)
3)
Backup
Answers
1)
2)
3)
Backup
1) Logis:cs
2) Notes
on
YOU
3) Ques:ons
4) Answers

16. Questions?

17. Ques:ons
1) What is the format of an informational interview?
2) Is it just to ask questions about the company/role or do they also ask
questions to find out about you?
3) When is it (ever) appropriate to cold call a firm/organization?
4) What is the healthiest way to foster multiple newly created
relationships without creating a burden during b-school?
5) How do I conduct myself during corporate networking events or
coffee chats.
beenakavalam.com
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