What can you gain from an informational interview?
I recently talked with a student regarding her experience. She could not say enough good things!
The person she met with helped her in lots of ways including:
Deciding what direction she wants to go with her major
Deciding what kind of environment she wants to work in
Deciding what classes to take
Networking
All that in a 20 minute meeting!
Why not call and schedule an appointment to talk with one of our counselors about how informational interviewing might be something you want to take advantage of.
We're waiting for your call!
Showing posts with label informational interviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label informational interviews. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Friday, June 10, 2011
Twenty Great Questions to Ask in Informational Interviews
Thinking you might like to give informational interviewing a try, but aren't sure what to ask? Look no further for sample questions:
Tell me a little about your background. How did you get started in this field?
Why did you decide to work for this company?
What do you do during a typical day?
What is your favorite aspect of your work?
What is your least favorite aspect of the job?
What are the rewards and frustrations of this field in general?
What sorts of changes are occurring in your occupation?
How is the outlook for employment in this field?
What degrees, skills and experiences are important for someone entering this career?
What courses and past experiences proved the most valuable for you in this job?
How is my experience so far for entering this field? What else should I do?
What are the typical entry-level jobs?
What can you tell me about this company’s atmosphere and culture?
What is expected outside of work hours in terms of availability, social events, etc?
How flexible are dress codes, work hours, work locations, and job schedules?
How has your job affected your lifestyle?
How long do people typically work in their jobs here?
What would be the next step in your career?
How are salaries in this line of work?
What other fields or companies do you think I should research?
Some of these questions should get you started. You will think of other questions you want to ask as you talk with your interviewee. And, one of your questions can always be "Do you know someone else it would be helpful for me to talk with?"
I hope you get out from behind your computer and meet someone face to face. Give informational interviewing a try!
~jan
Tell me a little about your background. How did you get started in this field?
Why did you decide to work for this company?
What do you do during a typical day?
What is your favorite aspect of your work?
What is your least favorite aspect of the job?
What are the rewards and frustrations of this field in general?
What sorts of changes are occurring in your occupation?
How is the outlook for employment in this field?
What degrees, skills and experiences are important for someone entering this career?
What courses and past experiences proved the most valuable for you in this job?
How is my experience so far for entering this field? What else should I do?
What are the typical entry-level jobs?
What can you tell me about this company’s atmosphere and culture?
What is expected outside of work hours in terms of availability, social events, etc?
How flexible are dress codes, work hours, work locations, and job schedules?
How has your job affected your lifestyle?
How long do people typically work in their jobs here?
What would be the next step in your career?
How are salaries in this line of work?
What other fields or companies do you think I should research?
Some of these questions should get you started. You will think of other questions you want to ask as you talk with your interviewee. And, one of your questions can always be "Do you know someone else it would be helpful for me to talk with?"
I hope you get out from behind your computer and meet someone face to face. Give informational interviewing a try!
~jan
Friday, June 3, 2011
Get out from behind that computer
Get out from behind that computer and meet some people!
A great way to meet people and learn more about careers and jobs is to conduct informational interviews.
Important to remember is that an informational interview is not a way to get a job or job leads. An informational interview is to get information only: information regarding the other person’s job, career path, education.
Why would you want to talk with someone regarding their job, career path, education? To get ideas for your own job, career path, education, of course. And, to have the opportunity to add a person to your professional network.
Why would someone want to take time out of their already hectic schedule to talk with you about their “job, career path, education”? I don’t know for sure, but my assumption is people like to talk about their work and want to help other people – especially people just starting out.
Know someone working in a job that sounds interesting to you? Give them a call. Ask for 15 minutes of their time to come in and visit with them about their work. On the day of the meeting, dress nicely in professional dress, arrive on time, leave when your 15 minutes is up, and send a thank you card.
Or, have an interest in a career but would like to talk to someone actually working in the field? Call WSU Career Services (978-3435). We’ll help you find someone to talk with. And. . . we’ll even give you sample questions for your informational meeting.
Until next week --
~jan
A great way to meet people and learn more about careers and jobs is to conduct informational interviews.
Important to remember is that an informational interview is not a way to get a job or job leads. An informational interview is to get information only: information regarding the other person’s job, career path, education.
Why would you want to talk with someone regarding their job, career path, education? To get ideas for your own job, career path, education, of course. And, to have the opportunity to add a person to your professional network.
Why would someone want to take time out of their already hectic schedule to talk with you about their “job, career path, education”? I don’t know for sure, but my assumption is people like to talk about their work and want to help other people – especially people just starting out.
Know someone working in a job that sounds interesting to you? Give them a call. Ask for 15 minutes of their time to come in and visit with them about their work. On the day of the meeting, dress nicely in professional dress, arrive on time, leave when your 15 minutes is up, and send a thank you card.
Or, have an interest in a career but would like to talk to someone actually working in the field? Call WSU Career Services (978-3435). We’ll help you find someone to talk with. And. . . we’ll even give you sample questions for your informational meeting.
Until next week --
~jan
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Informational Interviews
Getting ready to graduate and not quite sure what kind of job you are most interested in? Or,are you at that point in your college career that you can't put off declaring a major any longer? Or, do you really really love a particular subject area but aren't sure what kind of jobs you could get with a major in that field?
If any of these (or similar) situations apply to you, you may want to come in and talk to one of our counselors regarding informational interviews. An informational interview is a brief 15 to 20 minute meeting with someone working in a job you would like to know more about.
We can give you an overview of informational interviewing, plus sample questions. . .plus contact information for people who make themselves available for these informational meetings with WSU students. It's a great way to learn about potential career fields, meet interesting people, and make a contact.
Call, email or come by today to schedule a meeting to learn more.
203 Grace Wilkie, career.services@wichita.edu, or 978-3435
~jan
If any of these (or similar) situations apply to you, you may want to come in and talk to one of our counselors regarding informational interviews. An informational interview is a brief 15 to 20 minute meeting with someone working in a job you would like to know more about.
We can give you an overview of informational interviewing, plus sample questions. . .plus contact information for people who make themselves available for these informational meetings with WSU students. It's a great way to learn about potential career fields, meet interesting people, and make a contact.
Call, email or come by today to schedule a meeting to learn more.
203 Grace Wilkie, career.services@wichita.edu, or 978-3435
~jan
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