Conducting Job search

Informational Interview

The Interviewee

The name of the interviewee is Heather Comfort. She works as a Clinical Social Worker at Apollo Beach, Florida. She has a bachelor’s and she does also work as a therapist. Comfort’s license number is SW6686 Florida, and her telephone number is (813) 413-1391.

The Schedule

This interview is scheduled for 2:00 PM on 19th June, 2016. The reason why the date is preferable is that most professionals tend to be resting on Sunday afternoon. As such, the interviewee may find time to respond to the questions, and even give a lot more information about what is being sought. Nonetheless, no irrelevant questions will be asked, and the interviewee will be informed that they can quit the questioning at any time if they feel uncomfortable to continue. The interview will be completed over the phone so as to overcome the distance, location, and travel barriers.

The Interview

In spite of the fact that the educational path is relatively similar, psychologists are always suited for various types of roles. For instance, while some may prefer and fit in the clinical setting, others may perform better in the education sector or in research. Career paths of psychologists are mainly determined by their personality, or simply by preference. Unlike is the case in several other professional areas, aspiring psychologists are expected to anticipate to be asked a high number of questions, and these are those revolving around their strengths, career aspirations, as well as the areas of their expertise (Sternberg, 2011).

The proposed questionnaire interview questions are hoped to offer tips to the interviewer regarding who the respondent really is. The interview is expected to take about 25 minutes, and the questions are relatively condensed so as to ensure that the respondents give comprehensive answers in each of their replies. The questions are as follows:

1. Why did you select psychology as a career path?

Some people pursue this upon witnessing positive impacts of psychological interventions and therapy. Others consider it to be fascinating to be dealing with the inner minds of individuals. Whatever the case, it is highly encouraged to have respondents give direct and honest answers.

2. What are your major weaknesses?

Job-seekers expect this question, and it is important for the students to know what others say about themselves. The respondents should also state whether they are practicing as psychologists or as therapists. It would be variable to provide balanced answers so as to avoid scaring the potential psychologists or even giving others false hopes (Sternberg, 2011).

3. What are some of your most valued strengths as a psychologist/therapist?

Some of the areas where one may be impactful include group therapy, child development, psychoanalysis, assessment, cognitive psychology, or even child development. All these areas require specific abilities and strengths, and it pays to be straightforward.

4. What are your main career goals?

This helps in understanding if the respondents really have the aspiration to remain in the career in the long-term. Those without long-term goals are probably tired and may be considering quitting at some point in the future.

5. Could you be having any question for me?

This is meant to elicit an alternative thinking. Sometimes when the researcher head for the field, they provoke the respondents to introduce a different perspective. The argument is that there might be some other elements which are not even known to the researcher, and yet they may be significantly important.

Thank you so much for your responses.

References

Sternberg, R.J. (2011). Career paths in psychology: Where your degree can take you. American Psychological Association