Yes, you can use Gmail for informational interviews, but it works best when the address looks professional, stays organized, and gives you enough separation for long-term follow-up.
Using Outlook for networking events can work well if you control the inbox, check it regularly, and keep career follow-up separate from work-managed or cluttered accounts.
Using a temporary email for talent network signups can help you join employer talent communities, catch early alerts, and limit long-term inbox spam if you know when to switch to a stable inbox.
Should you use Gmail for networking events? Learn when Gmail is a practical choice, when a separate inbox is smarter, and how to protect your privacy without missing follow-up.
A separate calendar can make networking events easier to manage by keeping RSVPs, follow-ups, and reminders out of your main personal calendar without making you harder to reach.
Using your personal phone number at networking events can make follow-up easy, but it also gives new contacts direct access to your main line before trust is established.
Using your work phone number at networking events may feel convenient, but it can expose your job search, blur boundaries, and create follow-up problems. Here is when to avoid it and what to use instead.
A burner phone number can help with networking events when you want privacy and spam control, but it works best as a boundary tool rather than your permanent follow-up channel.