Unit 9 Project take 2

One of the most powerful tools for gaining insight into an occupation or industry is to ask for an information interview from someone who is working in the area that interests you. Unlike a job interview, an information interview is an activity that you can initiate. You will be the one asking for the appointment, and you will be the one asking the questions.

The purpose of an information interview is to get information, insight, and understanding — you are not there to ask for a job! The Kaplan University Career team has provided us with helpful information about conducting informational interviews. ( Click here to read about informational interviews )

Request an information interview from a professional who is working in the kind of job that you would like to have someday. Ask this person to review your resume and to offer advice on what you can do to make yourself and attractive candidate for employment within your field of interest.

Activity: Please respond to these Professional Development Activity questions. Take time to review the responses of your classmates and provide your feedback.

1. Discuss the conversation that you had with the professional in your field and how that information has or has not influenced you. What did you hope to learn? What did you learn? Be sure to include who you interviewed, the company the person works for, and their job title.

2. Review your Unit 1 Professional Development Activity. What did you learn about this career field that aligns with your values? Your skills? What were your interviewee's recommendations regarding your career goals? How will you use this information in your job search?

This is what comes up when you click the link above:

An informational interview is a meeting that you initiate to learn more about a specific career you are interested in. The purpose is to obtain information to help you to understand more about the career/industry and skills needed from someone who is already working in the field and has firsthand knowledge. Conduct informational interviews with people who are successful in the area you are targeting — even if you are not currently job hunting.

How to Conduct an Informational Interview

· Identify the person in the career/industry you would like to learn more about; leverage your network to find someone you might already know; if you do not know anyone, you will have to do some research to find an individual who would be willing to meet with you – utilize Google™ and LinkedIn® to research

· Prepare for the interview by researching the company, such as mission, vision, values, etc.; go to the company website, LinkedIn, Jigsaw®, etc.; doing your research will help you to identify the right questions to ask during the informational interview

· Set up the Informational Interview – make a phone call to the person you would like to meet with and set up a time that would work in both of your schedules

· The Informational Interview:

· Arrive 15 minutes early

· Dress professionally

· Make good eye contact, firm handshake

· Stay for the allotted period of time – do not overstay your visit

· Some sample questions:

· What do you do in a typical day?

· What personal qualities are important to being successful in this job?

· What part of this job do you find most satisfying? Most challenging?

· How do you see jobs in this field changing in the future?

· Any special advice you have for a person entering this field?

· Which professional journals and organizations would help me learn more about this field?

· With the information you have about my education, skills, and experience, what other fields or jobs would you suggest I research further before I make a final decision?

Follow up – send a thank you note via e-mail or mail within 24 hours to thank them for their time

Here is the Assignment:

Professional Development Activity

One of the most powerful tools for gaining insight into an occupation or industry is to ask for an information interview from someone who is working in the area that interests you. Unlike a job interview, an information interview is an activity that you can initiate. You will be the one asking for the appointment, and you will be the one asking the questions. The purpose of an information interview is to get information, insight, and understanding — you are not there to ask for a job! The Kaplan University Career team has provided us with helpful information about conducting informational interviews. ( Click here to read about informational interviews )This link is the above material that you read Request an information interview from a professional who is working in the kind of job that you would like to have someday. Ask this person to review your resume and to offer advice on what you can do to make yourself and attractive candidate for employment within your field of interest. Activity: Please respond to these Professional Development Activity questions. Take time to review the responses of your classmates and provide your feedback.  1. Discuss the conversation that you had with the professional in your field and how that information has or has not influenced you. What did you hope to learn? What did learn? Be sure to include who you interviewed, the company the person works for, and their job title.  2. Review your Unit 1 Professional Development Activity. What did you learn about this career field that aligns with your values? Your skills? What were your interviewee's recommendations regarding your career goals? How will you use this information in your job search?