Watching a video interview sounds easy, but watching it well takes strategy. Informational interviews are packed with insight, but only if you know what to listen for. This guide shows you how to get the most out of every video.
1. Know What You’re Trying to Learn
Before you hit play, ask yourself: What do I want to learn from this person? What major or career are they in? Am I curious about their day-to-day activities, their education path, or their challenges?
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2. Don’t Multitask (You’ll Miss the Gold)
Treat this like a documentary about your future. If you’re texting or scrolling while watching, you’ll miss the subtle things like tone, facial expressions, or hesitations that say more than words.
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3. Use Chapters to Jump to What You Care About
On MajorMentor, each interview is chaptered. That means you can jump straight to the part about what their job is, what they enjoy most about it, or what a typical day looks like. Use that to your advantage, but don’t skip everything. Sometimes the best advice shows up in unexpected moments.
4. Take Notes on What Surprises You
What was different from what you expected? Did they mention a skill you didn’t think mattered? A class they hated but now use every day? That’s the kind of insight that helps you figure out your own fit.
5. Don’t Just Watch One
Watching just one interview is a great start, but watching three from people with similar majors, or totally different ones, helps you compare and contrast.
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Final Thought
There’s no wrong way to start, but watching with intention gives you more value and a clearer sense of what’s right for you.