Elevate Your Career: Master the 30-Second Pitch and Informational Interviews

1. WELCOME TO YOUR IMMEDIATE FUTURE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT FELD CAREER CENTER

2. How exciting! Tell me more.

3. 30-SECOND PITCH Opinions are formed in the first 30 seconds, and can impact your success Attention span of the average adult is less than one minute 30-Second Pitch is an introduction that will vary depending upon the situation.

4. 30-SECOND PITCH Introduction • Greeting, followed by your name. • What you do best (role or position) ~ or ~ what you want to be known for (areas of specialization). Background • Previous relevant employment and most significant areas of impact and/or accomplishments, including results! Future Goal • The role or position you desire AND the names of several companies you are interested in. Ask! • Exactly what you are looking for or need!

6. WHAT IS INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWING? 20 – 30 minute business conversation Research project to identify industry trends, organizational practices, needs, culture and career paths Informs your internship search strategy [and lifetime career management]

7. WHY DO INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS? Make a connection! Gather information to refine your search efforts Sets the stage to tap into the unpublished job market, get on the radar of hiring managers before they have a need

8. DISCOVERY Thoughtful Questions Yield High Quality Information More Insightful Questions Get Started Research Target list 3 functions 3 industries Background information on the company and person Insight Knowledge Confidence Focus Share what you are learning What do you want to know What interests you Open ended Authentic Relevant to the context

10. Be prepared Develop 7-10 open ended questions around your interest Review the person’s LinkedIn profile and career path Read “About” on the corporate website Familiarize yourself with products and services as well as geographies of the organization Research the person and company for the latest news and current press releases Make sure you know the current stock price (for finance oriented interviews)

11. Tools and techniques

12. Questions to avoid Anything you could have learned from their website or the press “How much money can I make?” “How can I get a job here?” F1 Students • “Do you sponsor?” • “Do you hire international students?”

13. Follow up immediately if someone offers you a referral and then let them know what happened

14. Best practices Define a goal for the meeting Write out your questions – customize them for this audience Commit to the process – it takes time to get to know someone Express appreciation Follow-up within 24 hours with a thank you note

15. tips Business attire unless otherwise informed Bring business cards Bring resumes on good quality paper (24 lbSouthworth), but only offer if requested Take notes Stay connected

16. Ask for a job, get advice Ask for advice and get a job

18. THE POWER OF LINKEDIN The foundation of LinkedIn’s power is trust and reputation, through a connected chain of dependable professionals. Your 1st level connections should be limited to people you trust, and with whom your reputation will be respected. Once you have established trust and a reputation with connections, extend or accept invitations.

19. GENERAL PROFILE DO’S Your Headlineshould define you perfectly, e.g. “MBA Candidate | NASD Series 7 and 65 | Hedge Funds | Wealth Management” Customize your LinkedIn URL Your Summary is a presentation of “now and future”; who you are and what skills you will bring to your current and future employers Your Experience describes the value you contributed to your employers and one or two of your proudest accomplishments Recommendationsfrom previous employers, co-workers and possibly professors, who know you well can add credibility to your profile LinkedIn is keyword-oriented: make sure your most important keywords are repeated in your profile (discretely spread out)

20. The power of no

23. The Employer Perspective The Other ½ of the Recruiting Equation Understanding How Employers Think About Recruiting

24. The Employer perspective Partner school selection process • Geographic Proximity • Specific Specialized Programs • Alumni Presence • Program Rankings On-Campus Presence vs. SMG CareerLink Job Postings • On-Campus Events

25. The employer perspective Internship Conversion Strategy • Goal of company is to convert • Less cost of hire • Higher comfort level with candidates • You know the company better as well ! Employer Decision Expectations and Timeline • Time between interviews • Offer decision deadlines

26. The employer perspective Logistics • GPA accuracy • Timing of applications and postings • Applications received Rolling vs. Batch • Application Timestamp • Recruiting also managed on company’s website • Dual applications for many postings

27. Where you want to work

28. Employers that recruited in 2012

33. Employers that recruited in 2012 THANK YOU !

34. Next Steps Where do you go from here? • Submit your resume if you haven’t already • Complete your SMG CareerLink profile • Schedule an appointment with a career coach • Complete and review your career leader results prior to appointment • Create your 30 second pitch to review with your coach • Plan your work, work your plan

36. PARTNERS IN YOUR SUCCESS