how coffee and conversation could build careers by maureen o'connell, cfo at scholastic...

1. Do Your Research

Before the information interview, read extensively about

the industry and the business in which your interviewee

works.

The first place to start would be the company's website.

Also read its social media pages and discussion forums.

2) Come Prepared

Note a list of questions you want to ask the interviewee

before you meet. This will ensure that you learn

everything you can about the industry and leave no

doubts unresolved.

At the same time, keep your mind open to new points of

view that the interviewee might introduce in the course

of the discussion.

3) Dress Appropriately

Although the venue of your interview is informal, its

nature is not.

Dress formally to show you are taking this meeting

seriously and strive to make a good first impression.

Show your interviewee that you could become an asset

to his profession soon.

4) Open Well

Start the interview with a short introduction about

yourself, your interest and the purpose of the interview.

This will enable the interviewee to get a clear idea about

the exact nature and scope of help that you need.

5) Don’t Let your Guard Down

A coffee interview could well turn out to be a pre-

recruitment screening. Smart industry veterans use this

time evaluate if you are the right fit for their

organization.

Firm handshakes, sound knowledge, unwavering

attention and a pleasant demeanor could go a long way

in securing you a job interview if you decide that the

industry or organization under discussion seems like the

right fit for you.

6) Participate

An information interview is a two-way dialog. Feel free

to ask questions, express doubts and exhibit your

assent to your interviewee's ideas. At the same time,

don't dominate the conversation.

Remember that the purpose of this meeting is to pick

the brains of the industry expert and build a lasting

rapport with him/her. He/she might well turn out to be a

long-term mentor!

7) Respect Time

Don't forget that the person you have requested to

interview is a busy individual, with a lot on his plate.

Don't while away the time in meaningless chatter,

beating around the bush or asking repetitive questions.

Stick to the point and draw as much as possible from

his expertise within a short span of time.

8) Express Gratitude

Since the interviewee has been kind enough to spare

his valuable time to help you out, don't forget to send

him a thank-you note a day or two after the interview.

9) Bonus Tip – Keep your

Order Simple

Eating while speaking could be a clumsy and awkward

affair. So, stick to a cup of coffee, which you may neatly

sip during the pauses in your interview.

These short pauses also give you crucial moments to

ponder upon what has been discussed and frame

questions about any lingering doubts you may have.

Tips for those Who Conduct Coffee

Interviews for Recruitment

Let’s also look at some tips for the other side of the

table as well.

1) Stick to Personality

Assessment

A coffee house offers a relaxing, informal environment

to gauge personality. It helps you evaluate factors like

how your interviewees behave in a public set-up, how

confident they are when surrounded by strangers,

whether or not they can handle small talk and if they

can multi-task (read: talk while eating) gracefully.

It is highly recommended to conduct the actual job

interview in a formal set-up within your official

workplace.

2) Prepare Your Questions

Conducting coffee interviews are a great way to

discover the prospective employee as a person. So,

questions about their background, strengths,

weaknesses, ability to work in teams and under

pressure, long-term career goals, etc. are most

appropriate.

Considering the distraction and noise around, save the

technical and problem-solving questions for the meeting

room.

3) Break the Ice

Show your spontaneous, human side as soon as you

meet the interviewee to put him at ease.

A good way to start is by complimenting the decor of the

cafe or an interesting store you noticed nearby and

seeking his/her view on it.

Conversational small talk not directly related to the

more serious discussion coming up is a great

icebreaker.

4) Facilitate Discussion

Remember that interviewees might feel uncomfortable

discussing career prospects, salary and such other

details in a public set-up.

Gently encourage them to voice their questions freely.

5) Pay The Tab

It is common practice for the recruiter to foot the bill. So,

don't expect your interviewee to pay.

Insist on paying it yourself if he/she offers to do so.

Maureen O'Connell

Maureen O’Connell is the current Executive VP,

CFO and CAO of Scholastic Corporation. When not

working, Maureen loves running, Skiing, Scuba

Diving or Travelling.