What Color Is Your Parachute 2018 by Richard N. Bolles copy

So, when you first meet them, ask for ten minutes of their time, only.
Period. Stop. Exclamation point. And watch your time like a hawk, using
your watch or smartphone timer, as I explained in chapter 4.
Okay, you’re there. What to talk about? Well, a topic may have its own
unique set of questions. For example, I love movies and TV, so if I met
someone who shared this interest, my first question would be, “What
movies or shows have you seen lately?” Or, “What do you think of Game
of Thrones?” Or, “Who’s your favorite actress?” And so on.
If it’s a topic you love, and often talk about, you’ll know what kinds of
questions you begin with. But, if no questions come to mind, your fallback
position is the following ones, which have proved to be good conversation
starters for thousands of job-hunters and career-changers before you, no
matter what their topic or interest.
Addressed to the person you’re doing the Practice Interviewing with:
How did you get involved with/become interested in this? (“This” is
the hobby, curiosity, aspect, issue, or enthusiasm, that you are so
interested in.)
What do you like the most about it?
What do you like the least about it?
Who else would you suggest I go talk to who shares this interest?
Can I use your name?
May I tell them it was you who recommended that I talk with them?
Then, choosing one person from the list of several names they may
have given you, you say, “Well, I think I will begin by going to talk to
this person. Would you be willing to call ahead for me, so they will
know who I am, when I go over there?”
Incidentally, it’s perfectly okay for you to take someone with you during
this Practice Interviewing—preferably someone who is more outgoing
than you feel you are. And on the first few interviews, let them take the
lead in the conversation, while you watch to see how they do it.
Once it is your turn to conduct these Practice Interviews, it will usually
be easy for you to figure out what to talk about.
Alone or with someone, keep at this Practice Interviewing until you feel
very much at ease in talking with people and asking them questions about