Career Exploration: Informational Interviews CRER 137 – Life and Career Planning Instructor: Daryan Chan

Purpose of an informational interview  From Richard Nelson Bolles, author of What Color Is Your Parachute?, informational interviews help to:  “Try on jobs to see if they fit you.”  Discover more about a specific career field.  Narrow down options to allow for further research.  Find out if the field fits with personality and interests.  Obtain first-hand knowledge of field specific terminology and concerns.  Build a network and gain resources.  Learn about ways to start a career in a specific field.

Which career?  Narrow down occupations based on interests and fit:  Strong Interest Inventory results – SII Theme Code  Myers Briggs Type Indicator results – MBTI Personality Type  CAPS Skills Assessment  Personal experience, interest in fields through exposure  Current job market – get as much general information as you can first (O*net, BLS, Eureka, career biographies)  Determine what you want to find out about that specific career, occupation, or industry.  Create a list of questions that you want to ask, but prepare for the interview beforehand.

What type of questions to ask?  What happens during a typical day?  What do you do? What are the duties/functions/responsibilities of your job?  What kinds of problems do you deal with?  What kinds of decisions do you make?  How does the time use vary? Are there busy and slow times or is the work activity fairly constant?  How did this type of work interest you and how did you get started?  How did you get your job? What jobs and experiences have led you to your present position?  Can you suggest some ways a student could obtain this necessary experience?  What are the most important personal satisfactions and dissatisfactions connected with your occupation? What part of this job do you personally find most satisfying? Most challenging?

What type of questions to ask? (cont.)  What do you like and not like about working in this industry?  What things did you do before you entered this occupation?  What other jobs can you get with the same background?  What are the various jobs in this field or organization?  Why did you decide to work for this company?  What do you like most about this company?  How does a person progress in your field? What is a typical career path in this field or organization?  What is the best way to enter this occupation?  What are the advancement opportunities?  What are the major qualifications for success in this occupation?  What were the keys to your career advancement? How did you get where you are and what are your long-range goals?

Who do you interview?  Check your contacts list: friends, fellow students, instructors, present or former co-workers, supervisors, neighbors, etc.  People you don’t know yet: most people like to help others and appreciate a proactive person.  Use campus resources: the Career Center, alumni association, student activities, etc.  Once you’ve found someone:  Be prepared! Get as much background information about the company and the person so you can better tailor your questions.  Go to the company website, LinkedIn profile of the interviewee, google search information, etc.

Where to conduct the interview:  With technology advances, this can be wide open: at the interviewee’s office, via , via phone, Skype, other online video conferencing, at a public place, etc.  It is better to conduct in person at the office whenever possible to see the environment in person and to practice communication skills in an interview setting.  Choose a place/option that is most convenient/comfortable for the interviewee and yourself.  Schedule a specific amount of time so you know how many questions to ask.  After setting up logistics:  Be prepared! Dress appropriately, have your questions ready, be friendly and involved and INTERESTED.  Do NOT try to angle for a job, this is for information only!  Let the questions organically evolve through active listening – you don’t need to unwaveringly follow your question list.  Focus on the interviewee’s job and the career field.  Stay within the timeframe agreed upon. Respect the interviewee’s time and do NOT be late.

After the interview:  Give your thanks: let the interviewee know you appreciate the time given to you.  Write a thank you or letter, usually within one to two days of the interview.  Ask if you can keep the person as a contact and check if they know of anyone else that might be able to provide information about the field.  Build your network.