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
Friday, June 10, 2011
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
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Ask for the Job
Want that job you interviewed for?
Let the employer know.
You assume the organization knows you want the job. Why else would you have applied and agreed to an interview? However, interviews can be very revealing. Managers want to know if you are interested in joining their organization after meeting them and learning more about the position.
How do you let the employer know you want the job?
Tell them. At the end of the interview, tell them you are very interested in the position and ask what the next steps are.
And, then, tell them again. Send a thank you note.
Get a job! Ask for it --
~jan
Let the employer know.
You assume the organization knows you want the job. Why else would you have applied and agreed to an interview? However, interviews can be very revealing. Managers want to know if you are interested in joining their organization after meeting them and learning more about the position.
How do you let the employer know you want the job?
Tell them. At the end of the interview, tell them you are very interested in the position and ask what the next steps are.
And, then, tell them again. Send a thank you note.
Get a job! Ask for it --
~jan
Friday, May 20, 2011
One of your classmates has had great results using LinkedIn as part of her job search.
What did she do?
She registered on LinkedIn
She posted a comprehensive profile.
She joined groups, including the Wichita State University Alumni group, professional groups pertaining to her field of study, and employer groups.
She got recommendations from professionals who could speak to the quality of her work.
She started discussions with her groups, asking questions that “made her sound smart”. (She is smart by the way—very smart.)
And, the result? She has received lots and lots of advice and good information. Even better -- an employer discovered her on LinkedIn and flew her out of state to interview last week.
Don’t know about LinkedIn? It’s an amazing online professional network of over 100 million professionals.
Check it out. What are you waiting for? http://www.linkedin.com/
What did she do?
She registered on LinkedIn
She posted a comprehensive profile.
She joined groups, including the Wichita State University Alumni group, professional groups pertaining to her field of study, and employer groups.
She got recommendations from professionals who could speak to the quality of her work.
She started discussions with her groups, asking questions that “made her sound smart”. (She is smart by the way—very smart.)
And, the result? She has received lots and lots of advice and good information. Even better -- an employer discovered her on LinkedIn and flew her out of state to interview last week.
Don’t know about LinkedIn? It’s an amazing online professional network of over 100 million professionals.
Check it out. What are you waiting for? http://www.linkedin.com/
Monday, May 16, 2011
Congratulations on Your Graduation
Many of you graduated this past weekend. Congratulations! I've been fortunate to meet some of you and hear your stories. Juggling all your many roles: student, campus leader, full time worker, parent, spouse, caregiver/son or daughter, grandparent. Many of you left your homes in other countries to come to the U.S. to study. You've humble me. I admire you.
As you move on to the next stage of your life and career, remember how far you've come.
And, at least for a few days, celebrate. Celebrate you!
~jan
As you move on to the next stage of your life and career, remember how far you've come.
And, at least for a few days, celebrate. Celebrate you!
~jan
Friday, April 29, 2011
CAREER TRIVIA
Can you guess what career this is?
The person who has this job calls himself a problem solver.
He talks with Senior Management "all day long".
He travels – all over the Midwest--sometimes to the Virgin Islands.
He works in teams, often in groups of 4-6 people but sometimes in groups of 50-60.
He demonstrates strong leadership skills.
What he likes most about his work is that every day is different.
His advice to students is:
Have a passion for what you do. And, meet everyone you can. Network, network, network. The more people you know, the better off you will be when you are ready to get a job in your career field.
Comment on this blog and get a free t-shirt!
The person who has this job calls himself a problem solver.
He talks with Senior Management "all day long".
He travels – all over the Midwest--sometimes to the Virgin Islands.
He works in teams, often in groups of 4-6 people but sometimes in groups of 50-60.
He demonstrates strong leadership skills.
What he likes most about his work is that every day is different.
His advice to students is:
Have a passion for what you do. And, meet everyone you can. Network, network, network. The more people you know, the better off you will be when you are ready to get a job in your career field.
Comment on this blog and get a free t-shirt!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Career Fair Tomorrow!!!
With the Career Fair tomorrow, I want to remind you of a few things not to do.
1. Don’t dress like you are just going to be hanging out at home. First impressions are ‘oh, so important’.
2. Don’t approach an employer with the question “So. . .what do you do?” It’s your job to research each company you want to talk with before the Career Fair.
3. Do not—absolutely do not--say something rude to an employer such as “Why did you come to the Career Fair if you aren’t even hiring?” Anytime you can get in front of an employer, you have an amazing opportunity to make a positive impression. That same employer who is not hiring today might be hiring next month. Employers sometimes create jobs for candidates who wow them. I could go on and on about this. Bottom line = remember your manners.
4. Do not walk from table to table focusing on, and picking up, the giveaways. You are there to talk with employers and sell them on your qualifications and promise for their company. You do not do that by grabbing at stress balls, or pens, or water bottles. Get the picture?
5. Do not walk around the Career Fair with your friends. Meet those guys for a nice long talk after you leave the fair. Don’t be joined at the hip when you are meeting employers.
6. Do not bring your baby—no matter how cute—to the Career Fair. You are there to impress potential employers with your professionalism, not your parenting skills.
7. Do not talk on your cell phone while you are at an employer’s booth. This is rude. Again, remember your manners.
8. Don’t blow off the Career Fair because it’s a nice day outside, because you need to study, because you are tired – for any reason, other than something very serious—such as your death. This is an amazing opportunity to meet employers. Take advantage of it. See you tomorrow. 4:00-7:00pm Koch Arena.
~jan
1. Don’t dress like you are just going to be hanging out at home. First impressions are ‘oh, so important’.
2. Don’t approach an employer with the question “So. . .what do you do?” It’s your job to research each company you want to talk with before the Career Fair.
3. Do not—absolutely do not--say something rude to an employer such as “Why did you come to the Career Fair if you aren’t even hiring?” Anytime you can get in front of an employer, you have an amazing opportunity to make a positive impression. That same employer who is not hiring today might be hiring next month. Employers sometimes create jobs for candidates who wow them. I could go on and on about this. Bottom line = remember your manners.
4. Do not walk from table to table focusing on, and picking up, the giveaways. You are there to talk with employers and sell them on your qualifications and promise for their company. You do not do that by grabbing at stress balls, or pens, or water bottles. Get the picture?
5. Do not walk around the Career Fair with your friends. Meet those guys for a nice long talk after you leave the fair. Don’t be joined at the hip when you are meeting employers.
6. Do not bring your baby—no matter how cute—to the Career Fair. You are there to impress potential employers with your professionalism, not your parenting skills.
7. Do not talk on your cell phone while you are at an employer’s booth. This is rude. Again, remember your manners.
8. Don’t blow off the Career Fair because it’s a nice day outside, because you need to study, because you are tired – for any reason, other than something very serious—such as your death. This is an amazing opportunity to meet employers. Take advantage of it. See you tomorrow. 4:00-7:00pm Koch Arena.
~jan
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