Informational interviews are an essential tool throughout your career journey. They help you gather insights, guidance, connections, and recommendations to advance your career. These conversations are the key to discovering how you can apply your talents, where you can do meaningful work, and figuring out how to get there. The benefits that you stand to gain from an informational interview are vast, but that doesn't mean that reaching out is easy.

This week, a client who is interviewing for a new position asked me how to assess whether the company culture is the right fit.

"Culture" is a big concept that can mean a lot of different things. To some, it means a company's "vibe" or "personality." To others, it means the values and practices shared by employees. I've even heard it described as "a company's soul."

One of my amazing clients, Alanna, wrote this incredible article on her best tips for informational interviewing as an introvert.

The discomforts of networking when you're not *super duper outgoing* was a hot topic at this week's Leadership Lab on creating your own professional opportunities—because building relationships is so essential, but there so many worries that can hold us back from putting ourselves out there.

Alanna's guidance will steer you in the right direction—and her two key questions to ask at the end of each meeting are *chef's kiss* so useful.