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Networking & Informational Interviewing
Where Jobs Come From
(Courtesy Donald
Asher)
Manager is happy.
Doesn't need you;
doesn't have a job for you
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Manager recognizes
a need to be filled.
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Manager will be unhappy
for up to 18 months before
doing anything about creating new job.
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Manager decides to create
new position.
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Will still do nothing
about it for at least 2 weeks.
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Will start asking around
internally to see if anyone knows someone
for the position.
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If that fails, manager
will start writing a job description and
getting ready
to advertise position.
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Position is
announced/advertised
to the public.
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Who should be part of your network?
- Best network contacts for college students?
- Second best network contacts for college students?
Others in your network
- Relatives
- Friends
- Every known entity within university:
- professors
- advisors
- administrators
- coaches
- anyone else with ties to the school
- guest speakers
- Past and present employers
- Religious organization
- Professional organizations
- Volunteer groups
- Chamber of Commerce functions.
- Informational meetings given by companies
- Trade shows
How many
contacts should be in your network?
- The
average adult knows ______ people.
- The
number of those you've met who will remember you is _______.
- If
you were planning your wedding, you would probably know of _____ people
to invite.
- _____
is the number of job leads you should have going at any one time.
- In
a room of 50 people, ____ will respond to a networking query.
Why conduct
informational interviews?
- Help
choose a career.
- Find
your niche.
- Affirm
career choice.
- Prevent
wrong career move.
- Gain
insider knowledge about chosen career and companies
- Make
valuable contacts.
<>Gain
practice and self-confidence for job interviews.
CHOOSING AND
SCHEDULING INTERVIEWEES
• Identify Occupation(s)
• Identify People to Interview
• Consider format
• Schedule the Interviews
- Letters/e-mail
- Phone or In-Person
How to prepare for an informational interview
- Research
- List
of questions
- Record
information:
- Dress
for success
- Update/bring
resume
- Banish
from your mind any idea of turning the interview into a request for a job
- Call to confirm appointment
During the
interview
- Arrive
on time
- Greet
your interviewee
- Show
your personality
- Listen
and observe
- Know
when to end it
- Ask
if you can stay in contact
- Ask
for quick resume critique
- Ask
for referrals
- What
if you are offered job/internship?
Following up
informational interviews
- Always
send a thank-you note
- Record
and analyze the information
- Keep
a list or database
- Keep
in touch with interviewers
- If
appropriate, approach interviewees later for a job/internship.
For more detailed information, go to the Quintessential Careers
Informational
Interviewing Tutorial.
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