How can you request an informational interview in Digital Learning?

1 Identify your purpose

Before you reach out to someone for an informational interview, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to learn from them. Do you want to know more about their career path, their current projects, or their challenges and successes? Do you want to explore a potential collaboration, mentorship, or referral? Having a specific purpose will help you narrow down your list of potential contacts and tailor your message to them.

2 Find your contact

The next step is to find someone who can offer you valuable information and advice in digital learning. You can start by browsing your existing network on platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, or online communities. Look for people who have similar interests, backgrounds, or goals as you, or who work in organizations or roles that you admire. You can also ask for referrals from your friends, colleagues, or mentors who might know someone in your target field.

3 Write your message

Once you have identified your contact, you need to craft a polite message that explains who you are, why you are contacting them, and what you hope to gain from the conversation. You can use email, social media, or other channels depending on your preference and availability. Here are some tips for writing an effective message: Start with a friendly greeting and introduce yourself briefly, mentioning how you found their contact information or if you have any mutual connections. Then, express your interest and appreciation for their work in digital learning - highlight something specific that caught your attention or impressed you. Explain your purpose and goal for the informational interview, being clear and specific about what you want to learn from them and why it is relevant to your career development or aspirations. Request a meeting and suggest a time frame, asking if they would be willing to spare 15 to 30 minutes of their time for a phone call, a video chat, or an in-person meeting. Provide some options for dates and times that suit both of your schedules. Finally, end with a thank you and a call to action - express your gratitude for their consideration and ask them to reply if they are interested and available. Provide your contact details as well as flexibility and eagerness to hear from them.

4 Follow up and confirm

After you send your message, you should wait for a response from your contact. If you don't hear back from them within a week, you can send a gentle reminder and restate your interest and availability. If they agree to meet with you, you should confirm the details of the meeting, such as the date, time, location, and format. You should also thank them again for their time and generosity and let them know that you are looking forward to the conversation.

5 Prepare and conduct

Before the meeting, you should do some research on your contact, their organization, and their field. You should also prepare some questions that align with your purpose and goal for the informational interview. You can use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to frame your questions and elicit specific and meaningful answers. During the meeting, you should be respectful, attentive, and curious. You should listen actively, ask follow-up questions, and take notes. You should also share some information about yourself and your background, but avoid turning the conversation into a sales pitch or a job interview. You should aim to build rapport and trust with your contact and show them that you value their insights and advice.

6 Follow up and maintain

After the meeting, you should send a thank you note to your contact within 24 hours. You should express your gratitude for their time and knowledge and highlight some key takeaways or action steps that you learned from the conversation. You should also ask them if they have any feedback or suggestions for you and if they are open to staying in touch. You can also offer to help them with anything that they might need or benefit from. To maintain the relationship, you should keep them updated on your progress and achievements and share relevant resources or opportunities with them. You should also look for ways to reciprocate their value and support and to expand your network by connecting with other people in digital learning.