By Cristina Scalzo
Continued from Informational Interviews: Part 1.
You are walking around campus, and you see that person you met last weekend through a mutual friend. The question inevitably runs through your head as you awkwardly walk by: “Should I say hi? Do they even remember me?” You begin to sweat as you weakly make eye contact and whisper “Hi.”
This awkward situation is exactly what you don’t want to happen after meeting with a professional for an informational interview. That is why it is crucial to take follow-up steps after the interview to make sure they remember you and know who you are.
The first thing you must do is thank the professional. Writing a thank you card or email will set you apart in the professional’s mind. Only 5% of jobseekers write thank-yous, so if you can be in that 5%, you will be guaranteed to stand out. In many (but not all) situations, the best way to do this is through snail-mail. Think about how many emails you get per day…20? 30? Professionals are overwhelmed with email, and if the goal is to stand out, a letter will be more personal and unique.
So you send your thank you note, and some time has passed. Instead of letting yourself slip under the rug, follow up with the professional up to three times a year. This way, when you need their help, more information, or are looking for a job down the road, they will remember you. Here are some ways to follow up:
- Send them a brief update about how you are doing in your career or major. For example, if you get a new job in their field, send them a short email letting them know and thanking them for helping you progress in your career.
- Send them a link to an article that reminds you of them or their industry. If you met with a pediatric doctor, when you see an article about up-and-coming medical technology, send them the link and mention how excited you are to hear about this new invention.
- Another simple and easy way to follow up is to add them to your LinkedIn account.
Doing these things to follow up will create friendly feelings between you and the professional. If you do ever need a favor from this person, they will likely be more willing to help you out because you have shown you are invested in your career and in maintaining a relationship with them.
The take away: Don’t be afraid to say hello. Saying hello sets you apart in a positive way. So whether you are walking around campus, or following up with a professional, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.
Are you doing multiple informational interviews? Check out the Informational Interview Tracking Sheet on the Career Services website. Keep track of all your informational interview follow-up in one place!