interview assignment

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Two Components Due: Sunday, 4/22/2018, 11:59 p.m. Late assignments will not be accepted

1. Interview Reflection and Questions due in Blackboard Assignment Drop Box (50 points {40 content/10 spelling, grammar, mechanics})

2. Interview Thank-you Communication Content due in Blackboard Assignment Drop Box. (35 points {25 content, 10 spelling, grammar, and mechanics})

Description of the Assignment

Information interviewing is a great opportunity for you to interview someone in a career in which you are interested. An information interview accomplishes many goals. You:

· gather information about a particular career, an industry, and the realities of full-time employment;

· create a contact to begin networking with someone in a field in which you are interested; and

· obtain helpful advice from an experienced professional, who could help you in the future.

Assignment Requirements

1. Identify an organization and person with whom you would like to speak regarding a career of personal interest. Family members, or faculty (unless you intend to become a college professor), should not be interviewed for this assignment. See Amy for questions about this requirement.

2. Conduct an informational interview, preferably at the interviewee’s place of employment.

3. Complete both components of the assignment noted in items 1 through 2 in the header of this document.

a. Information Interview Reflection and Questions This is a thoughtful, double-spaced, grammatically and mechanically correct reflection on the interview experience and any revelations you have as a result of your research. (Please note that typing the interviewee’s responses to your questions is not acceptable. You need to reflect on the experience, not reiterate what your interviewee stated.)

b. Information Interview Thank-you Content This will be the text of the thank-you communication you sent to your interviewee. Follow the instructions for composing a well-written thank-you on page 4. The grading rubric noting how the communication will be evaluated is there, also.

4. Submit both components in their respective drop boxes in Blackboard by Sunday, 4/22/2018 by 11:59 p.m.

5. Ensure that you see the submission message at the top of the screen when you submit. Save your submission confirmation number and the Blackboard email message with the same confirmation number for verification of assignment submission. This confirmation number is proof of your submission in the event there are any disputes.

As your assignment is read, it will be graded. You may view your points in the Grade Center. Comments for your assignment may be found when the assignment has been graded.

ASSIGNMENT FORMAT—follow the directions precisely

1. Information Interview Reflection and Questions

(Download this portion of the document and insert your responses following the questions. You are to follow the below format exactly . Remember, this is to be Microsoft Word double-spaced, grammatically and mechanically correct reflection.)

Part 1-Reflection-30 points Compose thoughtful responses to the following questions/statements. This is not a summary of your interview, rather a reflection on the impact of the interview on your career decision making process.

1. Interviewee Name, Position Title, Name of Company/Organization, Street Address, Email 5 points

Insert the requested contact information. If, by chance your interviewee is not presently employed, note this here.

2. Describe whether you believe your values, interests, personal qualities and skills would be consistent with the career you chose to explore in your information interview. Use examples from your interview to support your answer. 10 points

This response should address each of the four components of self-assessment we have discussed in class (values, interests, personal qualities and skills or VIPS). A response that simply notes, “Yes, I believe this career is consistent with my VIPS,” is not acceptable. Provide detail as to why this career may or may not be consistent with your VIPS by composing meaningful text for each of the four self-assessment areas that addresses. See the example on page 7 for guidance.

Values

Interests

Personal Qualities

Skills

3. Express how will this experience impact your tentative career choice? 6 points

Describe how this information interview will impact the way your explore careers from this point on. Some of the following questions may help to guide your response: Will you conduct more information interviews? Will you begin to explore other careers if the interview revealed that, perhaps, your interests lie in other areas? Will you consider gaining experience so you can “try the career on?”

4. If you were to conduct another information interview, what type of position would you choose and why? 3 points

Identify what kind of professional you would like to interview next. Will it be the same type of position or different? What’s your rationale for your decision?

5. What feedback did the employer have on your resume? (6 points)

Explain in your own words the advice or feedback the interviewee had on your resume. Indicate steps you will take to improve it. A resume critique must be completed to receive points for this question.

6. Other thoughts?

Offer any other information you believe noteworthy.

Part 2-Information Interview Questions-10 points Please type the 10 questions you asked your information interviewee. A link for sample questions can be found on page 5. (Do not include their responses).

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Ten points are available for appropriate spelling, grammar, and mechanics.

Submit this component of the assignment into the appropriate area in the Blackboard Assignment Drop Box by 11:59 p.m., Sunday, 4/22/2018. (A sample submission is available on page 5). Take a screen shot of the successfully submitted message to ensure you have verification of submission if needed.

2. Information Interview Thank-you Communication Content and Associated Grading Rubric

It is critical that you demonstrate your gratitude for the career development assistance the new network contact has given you as soon as possible after the interview. Thus, you should send thank-you correspondence, preferably within 24 hours, to the interviewee. The thank-you also helps to build your brand by way of the content you compose and the medium you select.

When sending your thank-you, please choose between the following methods:

· Hand-written thank-you card (not notebook paper, a post-it note, letterhead, typing paper, legal pad or any other form of paper)

· Email

· Hard copy, typed thank-you letter

For purposes of this assignment, you will compose the text of the thank-you in a Microsoft Word document and submit it in the Blackboard Assignment Drop Box for grading by Sunday, 11:59 p.m., 4/22/2018. Like all written communication, you need a beginning, a middle, and an end, so at least three paragraphs are in order. Use the criteria in the rubric to compose your message. Although not required for grading of this assignment, you will begin your actual employer thank-you with a salutation, such as “Dear Ms. Hire-me”, and end with a closing such as, “Sincerely, ‘Iwanna Job’”.

Thank-you rubric on page 4.

Content	Points
Opening Paragraph · Thanks for meeting on the date, time, and location · Reason for meeting	5
Middle Paragraph (0-5=Needs Improvement, 10=Acceptable, 15=Excellent) In the words of some recruiters and hiring authorities, composing and sending follow-up thank-you communication is crucial to the job search. Although this is not a “thank-you” for an employment interview, you still need to demonstrate your professionalism by following through with the employer. Customize this and make it meaningful by identifying something that was particularly beneficial to you from the interview itself. This makes you memorable! As you contemplate what you will say, consider the following questions for assistance. · What did you learn about yourself? · Do you feel like you know more about your potential career? If so, what? · Was there information that made you change your mind about pursuing the career you are researching? What prompted this change? · What kind of recommendations did the employer offer to you for your future? · What did you value most about the experience?	15
Final Paragraph · Any follow-up information, for example, your contact information or LinkedIn URL · Re-statement of your gratitude	5
Spelling and Grammar	10
Total	35

IMPORTANT: the Optimal Letter Builder has suggestions for thank-you letters. Feel free to consider and adopt one of those. Additionally, there is no sample thank-you provided. You are accountable for composing your own customized, unique text. If you want feedback on the content of your thank-you communication, please ask your Peer Career Assistant or instructor.

Helpful Tips for Scheduling and Completing the Information Interview

Tips for Scheduling Your Informational Interview

1. Contact the employer by phone or email. If someone has referred you to this person, ask him/her for the best method of contacting the individual.

2. Prepare a script or some key words to help you through the request process. In essence, you are asking someone to give of their very valuable time to meet with you solely for your benefit, so be prepared and polished.

· Address the Interviewee

· Introduce yourself

· Identify the reason for your call

· Ask if the individual if you may take 30 minutes of his/her time to find out more about his/her career path

· Inquire as to appropriate times to meet

· Thank the individual for the opportunity to meet

· Secure any necessary contact or travel/parking directions

Here’s an example:

Hello Ms. Smith. My name is ________________ __________________ and I am a student in the College of Business and Innovation at The University of Toledo. My Career Development Lecturer has asked my classmates and I to complete an informational interview with someone in a position similar to one we wish to pursue. Currently, I’m interested in becoming a __________________. Would you be willing to spend 30 minutes with me to share your career path and offer any advice that you might have?

3. Follow up with a confirmation email message

4. Prepare for your information interview by asking yourself, "What is it I want to know about this occupation to determine if it is a good choice for me?" (Use the Information Interview Questions in the next section). Be sure to take your questions with you as a framework for conducting the interview and taking notes. Show you are prepared by reviewing the questions you ask and adding any other questions of interest.

5. The information interview should be conducted where the person works, so you see the work environment for yourself.

6. Dress properly for the information interview. Do not wear jeans, sweats, or sneakers. It is important to be well groomed and have a neat appearance. You will make a good impression in the interviews if you listen carefully, practice good eye contact, sit attentively, do not chew gum, use proper English, and are professional.

7. Be on time or slightly early for the interviews.

8. Know the names (including pronunciation) and titles of the person(s) you are to interview. Know some things about the organization. Greet everyone with a smile and firm handshake.

9. Thank each person interviewed for the time they spent with you with a hand-shake and a smile.

Information Interview Questions

You are required to ask your information interviewee 10 questions. These questions will be listed in Part 2 of your Information Interview Reflection and Questions submission. Check out the Informational Interviewing Tutorial at QuintCareers.com where you may select your questions.

Suggestion: If your interview has progressed nicely and you are comfortable, a nice final question to ask your interviewee is, “Would you be willing to offer the names/contact information of three to five other colleagues who might be willing to participate in another information interview with me?” This will provide different perspectives and build your network!

See page 5 for Sample Submission.

SAMPLE SUBMISSION

Information Interview Reflection and Questions

1. Interviewee Name, Position Title, Name of Company/Organization 5 points

Robert Smith

Financial Advisor

Investments for Life

321 Roarke Ave.

Toledo, OH 43606

[email protected]

My values, interests, personal qualities and skills seem to match this career closely. When I shared my VIPS with Mr. Smith, he agreed I was moving in the right direction. I’ve identified evidence of the consistency with my VIPS below.

Values-I value independence and helping others. A career in financial advising would allow me to manage my own schedule and help people achieve their retirement goals.

Interests- One of the things I am most interested in is investing. In financial advising, I will be able to monitor investments and suggest a diversified portfolio for my clients that will allow them to live comfortably.

Personal Qualities-Friends tell me my outgoing personality is one of my best qualities. I am able to have a conversation with most anyone. This will allow me to interact with a variety of personalities as I build my advising business.

Skills-My communication skills would really help in financial advising. I know that I will need to actively listen to my clients and practice clear verbal communication when presenting the options I believe will be best for them.

3. Express how will this experience impact your tentative career choice? 6 points

Because of this experience, I am even more excited to pursue a career in financial advising. I plan to shadow a financial advisor over the semester break in my home town. I am hopeful I can secure an internship with a firm by my junior year. Then, I will know if I should continue on this path or consider other options. Exploring other careers in finance by using the career exploration resources will be useful as well.

4. If you were to conduct another information interview, what type of position would you choose and why? 3 points

In addition to interviewing other financial advisors, I would also like to interview someone on the corporate side of finance, perhaps an analyst for a medium to large company. This activity will help me determine if I am more inclined toward advising individuals as opposed to internal corporate stakeholders.

5. What feedback did the employer have on your resume? (6 points)

The employer I interviewed said that my resume focused too much on the jobs that I have held and not enough on the skills that I built to help me complete my tasks. He said that I need to be more clear in highlighting my skills that relate to the positions I will be seeking in my Experience and Campus Involvement sections so that employers know what I have to offer. He also cautioned me that my descriptions need to quantified by adding numbers where relevant. I will apply greater effort and working in my transferable skills into my descriptions and adding important figures where I can.

6. Other thoughts?

At my request, Mr. Smith offered the names and contact information of three other individuals who might be able to help in my career search.

Part 2-Information Interview Questions-10 points

1. When did you know you wanted to become a financial advisor?

2. Who were your greatest influences in your career decision?

3. What type of experience did you have before you became a financial advisor?

4. How important are grades in college once you begin interviewing?

5. Describe your career path for me.

6. What’s an average day like for you?

7. If you weren’t a financial advisor, what do you think you would be?

8. As you look back at decisions you’ve made and positions you’ve held, would you do anything differently?

9. What do you value most about your position?

10. Would you be willing to offer the names/contact information of two or three other individuals who you believe might also be willing to conduct information interviews with me?