Informational Interviewing & Networking – Learn How!

Informational Interviewing& Networking – Learn How! Dinorah Meyer, Career Counselor Wednesday, April 23, 2014 5:30-7:00pm 652 Barrows

What you will learn: • How to prepare for informational interviews and job networking • How to find people • How to approach people • What to tell people about yourself • Types of questions you can ask • How to follow up

Agenda • Networking: Definition, Purposes/Benefits • Focus on Informational Interviewing • Focus on Networking for Job Search • Using LinkedIn for either

Networking • What images, thoughts or feelings does the term “networking” conjure in your mind? • How you do you feel about the idea of talking with strangers about what it’s like to do their work or about your job search?

Networking Broadly Defined • An important career development skill that involves making connections and having “career conversations” with people for the purposes of • exploring careers or job searching • developing new professional contacts & relationships (incl. advocates/mentors); it takes time • Networking ≠ using people • You network every day…

Working from your Inner Circle Outward Community People they know Family Teachers You Friends Co-Workers Six Degrees of Separation

Networking: Purposes/Benefits Career Exploration (informational interviewing) • When you are not surewhat type of career or job you want to pursue • Learn whether a given job, career path, or organization could be a "fit" for you • Gain insider knowledge about… • Career fields/positions, incl. qualifications, training, skills, future potential • Companies/organizations, incl. culture, hiring trends, growth potential • Industries/industry trends

Informational Interviewingfor Career Exploration (cont.) • Emphasis: information gathering • Does not require you to “sell” yourself • Should not be mixed with job searching* • May make sense after self-assessment

Networking: Purposes/Benefits (cont.) Job Search • When in active search mode • Highly effective, proactive method, esp. in tight market • You should already know what you are targeting and what you offer • Open doors to the “hidden” job market • Promote professional visibility • Practice interview skills, describe strengths, gain confidence • Get advice to improve your job search effectiveness • Set the stage for you to help others at a later date (networking is best when reciprocal)*

Who is in your network? • Personal relationships: • Friends, immediate & extended family, neighbors, neighborhood connections (grocery clerk, cleaners), professional connections (doctor, dentist) • Academic contacts: • Classmates, professors, advisors, administrators • Current and former work relationships • Colleagues/co-workers, supervisors/managers, vendors

Who is in your network? (cont.) • Community professionals (dentist, travel agent) • Members of relevant professional associations (through publications, meetings, conferences) • Club and community organizations (health club, cultural group) • Websites, social networking sites, listservs • College career center or alumni association

Informational Interviewing Steps*(handout) • Research the field, industry, organization* (websites) • Identify people to contact for interview or referral • Prepare questions • Develop a brief self-introduction* (script) • Make contact to set up meeting • Guide the interview; also go w/the flow • Always ask for referrals to others • Evaluate what you learned • Follow up – Thank you note, keeping person informed

Networking for a Jobwhen setting up a meeting • Identify people to contact • Research the person, organization* (LinkedIn) • Prepare questions based on what you want to achieve • Develop a brief self-introduction* • Prepare more in depth material to share about yourself at the meeting (accomplishments, strengths) • Make contact to set up meeting • Guide the meeting but also go with the flow • Evaluate what you learned • Take action on any leads • Follow up – thank you note, keep person informed

Networking Communication – Approaches Prepare to convey… • Who are you? • What are you looking for? • How do your skills and experience support your objective? • I am, I can, I want* • Tell me about yourself…* • Career Success Stories*

At an Event or Scheduled Meeting… • Entering a small group conversation: • Introduce yourself during a pause • Contribute to the existing conversation • Ask open-ended questions • Use active listening – show interest in them • Ask follow-up questions • Be prepared to talk about yourself • Point out when you have things in common • Balance your “air-time” with others in the group • Be prepared to talk about areas of common interest: • Current events • Arts/entertainment/sports/hobbies/travel • Industry trends • Don’t “school” the other person

Ending A Conversation(informational interviewing or job networking) • For scheduled meetings – end on time • Look for signs the other person is ready to conclude the conversation • Be gracious in your exit – • “It was a pleasure speaking with you” • “Thank you for taking the time to talk with me” • If appropriate, ask about best ways to follow up

Following Up • Send a thank-you note • Inform how their advice helped you • Send information about areas of common interest • If more questions come up • If you have something to offer • Be aware of the fine line between appropriate follow up and becoming a stalker!

Using LinkedIn • For informational interviewing and job search • Who has a profile? Who likes theirs? • Creating a profile, essential elements • Effective profiles: Examples

Enhancing your networking opportunities • 100% complete profile  40x more opportunities • Include a photo • Build your network starting with people you know • Use Linkedin.com/alumni • How to get introduced • Customize your connection requests • Join LinkedIn Groups • Help others (recommend, endorse, share articles, forward job opportunities)

Next week’s session:(Wed., 4/30/14) • Develop personal “scripts” for reaching out to people • Try out approaches to informational interviews and job networking in a comfortable social setting • Get questions answered about these strategies and feedback about how you are coming across

Informational Interviewing & Networking – Learn How!