How tos, dos and please don’ts Landing the Interview

How to Start Plan your case  Choose top 3 systems or business solutions  Do some background research  Plan key questions of interest Create a template  Include the bare essentials  Name, brief background into your program, the course, and the assignment  Interest in their company  DO INCLUDE: sincere gratitude and a call to action  DO NOT: Send them an essay, ask the questions upfront, send a generic to EVERY contact, use language or wording that would suggest you as a security or trade secret threat, or desperate.

Where to Start Do you have connections with connections? Are you on social media and do you know how to use it?  Google search  Twitter mentions, o # hashtags, o location  LinkedIn o Connections’ connections o Jobs search o Companies search o Group search DO: tweet, LinkedIn/facebook update that you’re looking for someone to talk to about an case study on a system used in the real world DO NOT: multiple people within the same organization

Making Contact Send your template  Include their name and customize the content  Do some research into the firm Once they’ve contacted you back, next steps…  Set up a convenient place and time for o Coffee o Lunch o Information interview  Opt for a phone interview  Ask to Job shadow for a day DO: create a calendar meeting and invite the individual (Google calendar) DO NOT: assume details that were not confirmed

Handling the Back and Forth Talk a little bit more about the assignment Clear up any ideas about the intention of the case o Not for publication o To be used and reviewed in the class setting o Promise a copy of the final case Ask about background information on how the information system is used and viewed within the company Ask about the individuals role in the process, whether they are a stakeholder, and general bio Begin with the first wave of questions and then with follow ups once first wave answered DO NOT: make promises about whether case will be published online (as we are using a wiki) DO: stress that you appreciate the help and are looking forward into learning about their firm

Good Luck If having absolutely no luck or need further instruction, questions, etc… Feel free to contact me