Your informational interview becomes a critique of your skills. How will you navigate this unexpected turn?
An informational interview can suddenly become a skills critique. Here's how to steer it back on course:
- Acknowledge the feedback. Thank them for their candor and express your appreciation for the insight.
- Clarify your intentions. Remind them of the purpose of the informational interview and steer the conversation.
- Use it as a learning opportunity. Ask for specific advice on how to improve and take notes for future reference.
How do you turn unexpected feedback into a positive experience?
Your informational interview becomes a critique of your skills. How will you navigate this unexpected turn?
An informational interview can suddenly become a skills critique. Here's how to steer it back on course:
- Acknowledge the feedback. Thank them for their candor and express your appreciation for the insight.
- Clarify your intentions. Remind them of the purpose of the informational interview and steer the conversation.
- Use it as a learning opportunity. Ask for specific advice on how to improve and take notes for future reference.
How do you turn unexpected feedback into a positive experience?
-
It is important to define the informational interview's objective clearly as it helps in letting the opposite person know that you are gathering information to ensure that you can customise your approach as a solution provider. Secondly be prepared with relevant questions. And when you get feedback which becomes a critique of your skills, acknowledge it gracefully, thank the individual for the insight and share how you have evolved in other aspects of improvement and you would be drawing up an action plan to do the same. Presenting yourself as open minded and ready to learn leaves a good impression. Importantly you can say that the feedback makes your candidature stronger holistically because of your multiple suitable strengths.
-
Focusing on your objectives for seeking a new job opportunity and applying for that job will help you navigate an interview session no matter how difficult it becomes. At the heat of an interview, focus on: 1. Being real, present and conversational: It’s not a war front. You’re having a conversation for your next career move. And it’s not bad if you’re not the right candidate. 2. Remain focused on your best self: Your strength areas are your winning points, including your weaknesses. Showing that you’ve enjoyed your growth journey and working hard to grow your gray areas are a mark of strength. 3. And lastly, take the criticism with joy, acknowledging their feedback, showing that you will work to improve on it. It shows you can adapt
-
If an informational interview turns into a critique, stay composed and open-minded. Listen actively and avoid becoming defensive, showing that you're receptive to feedback. Acknowledge the critique respectfully, and if appropriate, ask clarifying questions to understand the perspective better. Frame it as an opportunity to grow, thanking the interviewer for their insights. Share how you’ve addressed similar challenges in the past or express your commitment to improving. End by steering the conversation back to gaining advice about the field or role, demonstrating your focus on learning and growth.
-
Cuando recibimos una crítica, es natural sentirnos a la defensiva o heridos. Sin embargo, es importante recordar que la crítica no es un ataque personal, sino más bien una oportunidad para crecer. Desde una perspectiva psicológica, esto se relaciona con: La necesidad de aprobación: A todos nos gusta sentirnos valorados y competentes. Una crítica puede desafiar esta necesidad. El miedo al fracaso: Recibir una crítica puede hacernos recordar experiencias pasadas de fracaso y reactivar esos miedos. El sesgo de confirmación: Tendemos a buscar información que confirme nuestras creencias preexistentes, por lo que podemos interpretar la crítica como una confirmación de nuestras propias inseguridades.
-
Navigating an unexpected critique during an informational interview can be challenging but also an opportunity for growth. First, stay calm and listen actively to the feedback without becoming defensive. Acknowledge the points made and ask clarifying questions to understand their perspective better. Use this as a chance to reflect on your skills and identify areas for improvement. Thank the interviewer for their honesty, and express your willingness to learn. This approach not only demonstrates resilience but also shows your commitment to personal and professional development.
-
Process-bility is a practical approach to mastering BPMN (Business Process Model and Notation) by combining simplicity, clarity, and visual storytelling. Designed for Business Analysts, Process Experts, and anyone navigating process modeling, it breaks down complex concepts into actionable techniques. With a focus on real-world applications, Process-bility helps you create models that are not just technically sound but also engaging and easy to understand. It’s more than just BPMN—it’s a way to elevate process communication and collaboration.
-
As someone who's conducted a number of these types of interviews in the past, when an informational chat turns into a critique session, it's all about how both sides handle it. As the interviewer, don't be that person who just points out flaws. Instead, think "How can I help this person grow?" Maybe say something like "Have you thought about developing this skill?" rather than "You're weak in this area." If you're on the receiving end, don't get defensive. Take a breath and think "Okay, this person might have a point." Use it as a chance to show how you deal with feedback. Maybe say "That's interesting - here's how I've worked on that in my last role. If someone is brave enough to give honest feedback and be wise enough to really hear it.
-
An informational interview turning into a critique can be challenging, but it's also an opportunity for growth. As a career coach, I advise staying composed and viewing this as a chance to uncover blind spots. Acknowledge the feedback graciously and ask for examples to understand their perspective better. Shift the focus by inquiring how your skills align with industry needs and what additional steps they recommend for growth. This shows maturity and a willingness to improve. Afterward, reflect on the feedback and create an action plan to address gaps.
Rate this article
More relevant reading
-
Coaching & MentoringWhat do you do if your passion for the role is not coming across in the interview?
-
Problem SolvingWhat do you do if you encounter unexpected obstacles while problem-solving in an interview?
-
InterviewingHow do you demonstrate your passion and enthusiasm through your stories in an interview?
-
People ManagementWhat do you do if your first impression in an interview is not positive?