Para reconducir una entrevista que está tomando otro rumbdo, resume los puntos clave y haz preguntas directas relacionadas con tus objetivos. Utiliza frases como "Para volver al tema principal...". En general, sé respetuoso, pero firme en guiar la conversación. En entornos profesionales, las conversaciones pueden desviarse por entusiasmo, nerviosismo o para conectar. Mantén el enfoque, valida los puntos de vista y sé asertivo cuando sea necesario. Usted también puede ser el protagonista de la próxima entrevista laboral.

When an informational interview veers off course, don’t panic—just pivot. A great way to refocus is by summarizing the current topic and then gently steering the conversation back. Something like, ‘I appreciate the insights on that, and I’d love to dive into…’ works wonders. Ask targeted questions to realign the discussion with your goals. And if you’re tight on time, use that to your advantage: ‘I know we’re short on time, so I’d love to make sure we cover…’ keeps things professional and focused. Stay in control, but always keep it conversational.

En una entrevista informativa, es común que la conversación tome giros inesperados. Si eso pasa, lo mejor es retomar el control de manera sutil. Por ejemplo, si el tema se desvía hacia algo no relacionado, podrías decir: "Es un punto interesante, pero me encantaría profundizar en cómo mi experiencia en X puede beneficiar a su equipo." Esto te permite redirigir la conversación hacia lo que te interesa destacar sin parecer forzado. Mantén siempre una actitud abierta, pero con un enfoque claro sobre los puntos clave que quieres que el entrevistador se lleve de la charla.

If an informational interview veers off course, gently steer it back by politely interjecting. You might say something like, "I appreciate your insights on that topic! I’d love to hear more about [your intended focus]." This shows respect for their input while redirecting the conversation. You can also ask specific questions related to your focus area to guide the discussion back. For instance, "Could you share your thoughts on [specific aspect of your intended focus]?" Keeping your tone friendly and engaged will help maintain a positive atmosphere while ensuring you cover your key topics.

Si un entretien dérape et s’éloigne de l’objectif initial, il faut garder une attitude respectueuse et professionnelle tout en recentrant doucement la conversation. Pour cela, il faut intervenir de manière tactique en rappelant brièvement l’objectif de l’échange. Par exemple, il vaut mieux de dire quelque chose comme : « C'est vraiment intéressant, et cela me donne des idées pour l’avenir. Si vous le voulez bien, pour rester dans le cadre de notre entretien, revenons à [mentionner le sujet ou objectif principal] ». Cette approche permet de recadrer l'entretien en douceur et de garantir une utilisation efficace du temps tout en montrant de l’intérêt pour les échanges annexes.

When an informational interview goes off track, don’t worry—it happens. In my experience, the key is to stay engaged. Listen to what’s being discussed and acknowledge it, showing you value their thoughts. Then, smoothly bring the focus back by saying something like, “That’s really interesting—actually, it ties into what I was hoping to ask about [your focus].” This keeps the conversation respectful while gently steering it where you want to go. Remember, these interviews are about building relationships, not rigid agendas. Stay flexible but intentional. By handling it with ease, you show your focus, adaptability, and ability to lead a meaningful discussion. That’s where the magic happens.

Work to steer the conversation back on topic. Leverage the techniques of a STAR (Situation, Task, Action, and Results), interview process to keep the conversation informative and not personal, but also navigate to answer the driving equation asked and in the spirit of being informational in your abilities and approach to doing the job you are seeking to land.

Here are some more conversational and friendly statements to steer an informational interview back to your intended focus: 1. "That's a really interesting point. But before we get too sidetracked, I was hoping to ask you more about [original topic]." 2. "I'm enjoying this conversation, but I want to make sure we cover everything on my list. Can we talk a bit more about [original topic]?" 3. "This is great information. However, I'm also curious about [original topic]. Would you mind sharing your thoughts on that?"

Before steering the conversation back, it’s crucial to show that you are actively listening and engaged, even if the discussion has veered off course. Acknowledge the current topic by making a brief, positive comment that shows your appreciation, such as, “That’s really interesting; I appreciate your perspective on this.” This validates the interviewer’s input and shows that you value their time and knowledge, maintaining a positive rapport. Acknowledging their point also creates a natural pause, giving you the opportunity to pivot the conversation. This approach helps you shift the focus without coming across as dismissive or abrupt, setting the stage for a smooth redirection.