1. Do Your Research
Find out what are the biggest challenges for the person’s job, company, or industry. Use social media to see what they are saying about their work, talk with others who know them, look at financials for their company.
2. Do Some Of Their Work For Them
Once you know what possible problems they are struggling with, ask yourself how you can contribute to the solution. Do you have insights they might need? Know of a resource you can put them in touch with? Put together a proposal that will make it worth their while.
3. Show Them Your Value Before Your Meeting
Before you even ask for a meeting, if possible. When you find information online that would be useful to your contact, forward it their way. Introduce them to contacts they would benefit from knowing. Invite them to networking events they would enjoy.
4. Leave Your Resume At Home
Remember, in an informational interview, the objective is for you to get information. Give a little and you will get a little. Ask for too much (like an opinion on your resume, or for an actual job at their company) and you will get nothing. So, leave your resume at home, and bite your tongue when you’re tempted to ask for an employment interview. Respect that things need to progress naturally first.
By asking the question “What’s in it for them?” you will get a professional fan-base that will eagerly return the favor and forward you opportunities as they arise. Or, refer you to friends who can help you. These relationships take time to build, but they are worth the wait for your career.
Reference: www.careerealism.com/informational-interview-avoid-question/
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