I've written two books on Networking, including a detailed explanation of the "informational interview." Surprisingly, these terms are widely accepted but only sometimes understood, yet often overlooked when they could be beneficial.
The term informational interview usually means an informal conversation, 20-30 minutes, with someone working in a career field that interests you. (This is often just fact-finding)
This practice isn't just for job seekers. It's relevant to everyone. A lawyer with a significant case needs to understand the other side's perspective. A salesperson must comprehend the actual competition and their offerings. If your friends' attitudes towards you have changed, and you're clueless about why, here's a secret solution: ask them. However, sometimes, you may need to figure out who to ask.
Years ago, when I worked in sales and sold food to restaurants, I needed to know what they were buying. The simple solution I used then was to check their garbage cans. Sometimes, it even revealed its other suppliers.
Networking can take you places you never expected, even garbage cans. You'll find meaningful connections everywhere. Everyone knows someone who knows someone. The "six degrees of separation" theory suggests that all people have six or fewer social connections away from each other. As a result, any two people can be connected in a maximum of six steps through a chain of "friends of friends." This is also known as the "six handshakes rule."
In March 2023, I published "Networking With a Purpose: The Informational Interview, Its Use, and Why it is a Valuable Tool." The introduction page explains the purpose, benefits, and strategies to build a network efficiently. It also includes a step-by-step guide and sample questions to help you feel confident in this vital process. These skills and techniques will serve you long after you land your dream job or acquire answers about your lawsuit or competition.
