How to get the most out of an Job Talk

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It could jumpstart the connection that leads to your next big career move.

It can be difficult to transition from another industry into the tech industry, but doing your research can make for a smoother transition. One of the best ways to get an inside look at a company or career path is through an informational interview — and if you’re lucky it could even lead to a job.

Before Jared Shaner joined Trellis Commerce, a Malden, Mass.-based digital agency specializing in e-commerce, as VP of business development and later becoming the company’s CRO, he was an executive recruiter.

Questions for informational interviews:

• How did you first start working in this profession?
• What was your career path like so far?
• What is your purpose in the company and how do you help it achieve it's goals?
• What kind of skills are important at your work?
• What personality traits are important in your industry?
• What are your favorite and less favorite things about your job?

How did Shaner make the switch to The Plum Tree Group?

"He graciously gave me 15 or 20 minutes to ask questions," he said. "I told him that I was seeking my first sales role and had a few ideas I wanted to run past him." He then proceeded to share his thoughts on approaching sales and what he could do for a sales team. A week later, McCrory contacted Shaner again to offer him a job building the east coast branch of the company, beginning Shaner's career in sales.

"Having the ability to learn from someone you admire who has been successful in their role will give you a competitive edge with their company," he said. "It will also help you learn what you want to achieve in your career."

Have a chill conversation

An informational interview is an opportunity to learn more about a company or industry of interest, as well as to build relationships with professionals.

"The pressure to give a yes or no answer to the person in front of them is absent," said Sheila Ryan, chief people officer at Clear Capital, a Reno, Nev.-based real estate tech company. "They are more relaxed and, because they start in a mentor seat for the interview, human nature takes over. We all want to help."

Anecdotes about an individual's roles can help connect the dots and show how previous experiences can be beneficial for one's career.

It is important to be prepared before asking someone for their time. Be sure to have thoughtful questions ready to ask so that you can get the most out of the conversation.

"It is beneficial to learn about other peoples' experiences in order to gain a deeper understanding of how you can shift into a similar area of work," said Nicholas TenBrink, senior engineering manager at New York-based Linux security company Capsule8. "Hearing first-hand accounts of their roles can help connect the dots and illustrate how previous experiences can be applied to furthering your career."

A powerful networking plan

Informational interviews can help you make decisions about your career path in the short term, but they can also be used to build your professional network for the future.

"As Ryan said, there is always potential for this person to refer you to an open role, or maybe serve as a mentor or even a boss one day. The next time they are asked 'Do you know anyone?' the informational interviewee tends to be one of the first on the list."

There is always potential for this person to refer you to an open role, or maybe serve as a mentor or even a boss one day.

Creating a good impression is important if you want to be remembered by others. This might not be the quickest way to get a job offer, but it will help you create connections that could be useful in the future. You never know where someone's career will take them.

A learning possibility

If you're considering a career in startups, design, or fintech, the best way to find out if it's the right fit for you is to reach out and talk to people who work in those environments. So don't be afraid to reach out to professionals in a variety of industries and companies.

Engage with entry-level engineers, product team managers, and executives to gain insights into the full scope of possibilities within your field.

"This provides you with greater understanding of the cognitive processes of employers at bigger organizations," Shaner said. "If I am targeting a position as an account executive, I might request to interview a VP of sales at a larger company to comprehend how my future bosses might think."

"It can be beneficial to interview executives in order to gain an understanding of a company or industries' objectives," said Nick Relph, director of marketing at Engage People.

Mentorship

Shaner, who is further along in his career, appreciates when someone wants to learn more about his work. It’s a chance for him to pay it forward and mentor people who are new to the tech industry.

"What I value most at this point is helping others succeed," he said. "I was given a chance when I was young, and now I want to pay it forward."

If you can offer something of value in return, it will help to develop a professional relationship. For example, you could make an introduction to someone at your company, or share an article or book that might be of interest to them. Consider how you can contribute to the conversation - sometimes it's just about listening and being a fresh set of eyes.

"When someone questions our methods or interprets our company goals differently, they are highlighting areas in which the company can improve," Shaner said. "I welcome questions and hearing other people's perspectives as it helps stimulate my thought process."

Preparing for the interview

Networking is key when searching for a job. Ask people you know if they have any connections in the industry you are interested in. You can learn a lot about an interviewer by reading their LinkedIn profile.

Shaner stated that it is evident when an interviewee has prepared ahead of time. "For example, recently someone contacted me and said 'It seems like you would be an expert on the matter--do you think BigCommerce will ever become more popular than Shopify?' This person showed that they were genuinely interested in the space and had some high level understanding. I am more likely to respond to a question like this rather than one that is more vague," he said.

When you're preparing for an interview, make sure to ask questions that will help you figure out if the job is right for you.

"Asking questions shows that you are really interested in the position and that you are willing to learn," said Ryan.

Wrap it up

It's important to take away useful information from every conversation you have. Be sure to jot down notes with your impressions and thoughts afterwards — this will come in handy later on. You can also use this opportunity to update your LinkedIn profile and resume.

If you want to get ahead, don't be afraid to ask for help.

Make sure to thank your interviewer, and add in a personal detail to show that you were listening during the conversation.