BUSN 310 – fInformational Interview Assignment

BUSN 310 – Fall 2016

Learn About Careers Through Informational Interviews Source: http://www.sasknetwork.ca/html/JobSeekers/careerplanning/infointerviews.htm

The best way to really get a feel for what a career or company is like, is to actually sit with an employee and see what they do on a daily basis. An informational interview is designed to give you this type of experience. It is an opportunity to learn in a comfortable setting where you are the one asking the questions. There are a lot of questions that can be asked in this type of setting that you may not want to ask in a job interview.

There are a number of reasons to conduct informational interviews. Depending on your situation, your purpose may be one or any of the following:

Remember the main purpose of an informational interview is to gather information and begin networking, not to get a job! Some “rules” of information interviewing: Source: http://www.careerealism.com/effective-informational-interviewing/

1. Prepare, Prepare, Prepare

Prepare as you would for anything truly important. This shows respect to the person you are interviewing. Know where you are meeting and how long it will take to get there. If it is on the phone, have the correct number and time. Confirm the details the day before. If in person, again dress appropriately which means professional. Develop your questions in advance and have them in priority order.

Finally be prepared to keep to the allotted time. If the plan is 20 minutes, based on your conversation when you booked the interview, keep to it. Again this shows respect for the person’s time. If this is a positive experience for the person being interviewed they will mostly likely offer up their time again to others.

2. Research, Research, Research

Research not only the company this person is employed by but even more importantly, the person. Find out all there is to know about the person you are going to talk to. Their background, time at the company, length of time in the field, and any common area of interest. This common area of interest will help you truly connect with them. Research them using Google and LinkedIn. Just like preparation and research pays off in a formal interview, so it will in an informational interview when the pressure is not nearly as high.

3. Follow Up, Follow Up, Follow Up

Be professional and thankful for the time this person spent with you. Follow-up with an email and/or a handwritten thank-you card within 24 hours. Yes, this is “old fashioned” but tells the person you appreciated their time enough to actually write a “real” note. It makes an impression.

Be sure to follow up on recommendations or connections this person makes for you. Let them know what came of their connections and suggestions and exactly how it helped. This again shows good character and also keeps you in their mind for future news and opportunities they may hear about.

Task 1 – Book an Informational Interview Source: The Neglected Job Search Tool, By Carole Martin, Monster Contributing Writer http://career-advice.monster.com/job-search/professional-networking/informational-interviewing/article.aspx

· Identify the information you want – which company, position, or industry you want to learn about will depend on what you want to do with your life and career. You may interview someone at any of the following places:

· a company (e.g., Coca Cola, Procter & Gamble, Walmart, Starbucks, and you may speak with a human resources representative, a department manager, or someone doing the job you’d like to have in the future),

· a career center at a university or college (e.g., Centennial College Co-op and Employment Centre),

· an employment agency (e.g., Manpower Inc., Kelly Services),

· a community resource center (e.g., ACCES Employment Services, East Metro Youth Services, Tropicana Community Services, Corbrook, East Metro Youth Services, JVS Toronto Ontario Employment Services, Centennial College Centre of Entrepreneurship, Progress Career Planning Institute, Polycultural Immigration and Community Services, YWCA Toronto, Toronto Employment Social Services, Toronto District School Board Newcomer Services for Adults, or any other resource center approved by our professor.

The goal here is to gather information about a specific career. For instance, if you interview someone in the career center here at Centennial, ask them how many graduates from your intended program get jobs, where are those jobs, what skills are required, do they have a sample job posting, what are the duties, etc.

· Make a list of people you know – choose those that can help you connect to other people within a company or an industry you are interested in.

· Make an appointment – set up a 15-30 minute interview with the person identified, regarding their specialty. Most people will be more than happy to help you. Don’t get discouraged if you find some people are just too busy to give you an appointment.

· Plan an agenda for the session – don’t assume the person will give you the information you need unless you ask the right questions. Select questions that give you the most information in the areas you want to know about. Be efficient, and do not overstay your welcome.

· Conduct yourself professionally – dress and act the role of the position you are seeking. Learn as much as possible about the company before the interview so you can ask informed questions.

· Show interest – use eye contact, lean forward, don’t answer your cell phone during the interview, pay attention, smile, say some complimentary.

· Prepare to answer questions about what you are looking for – have a short personal statement prepared that you can state if you’re asked about your job search. Bring a resumé or networking card but don’t offer it unless requested. Remember, the purpose of this interview is to obtain information.

· Send a thank-you follow-up – thank the person at the conclusion of the interview but also send an email and/or letter stating your gratitude for the time given. Take advantage of any referrals you might receive during the interview in response to your questions.

Task 2 - Informational Interview Questions to Ask Source: http://jobsearch.about.com/od/infointerviews/a/infointervquest.htm

The following questions are intended to help you build a detailed picture of the occupation. Use these questions only as a guideline. Your interview will be most effective if you formulate questions that reflect your genuine curiosity about careers.

Occupational Questions:

1. What is the title of the person you are interviewing?

2. What are other commonly-used titles for the position?

3. What are the duties performed during a typical day? Week? Month? Year? Does s/he have a set routine? (As the person describes the duties, ask what skills are needed). How much variety is there on a day-to-day basis?

4. What educational program is recommended as preparation? (Distinguish between courses which are desirable and those which are indispensable.)

5. What kinds of courses are most valuable in order to gain skills necessary for success in this occupation? (Distinguish between courses which are desirable and those which are indispensable.)

6. What degree or certificate do employers look for?

7. What kind of work/internship experience would employers look for in a job applicant?

8. How can a person obtain this work experience?

9. Are any co-curricular activities recommended?

10. What steps besides meeting educational and experiential requirements are necessary to "break into" this occupation? (i.e. - exam? interview? union membership?)

11. What are the important "key words" or "buzz words" to include in a resume or cover letter when job hunting in the field?

12. What are opportunities for advancement? To what position? Is an advanced degree needed? (If so, in what discipline?)

13. Which skills are most important to acquire? (i.e. - which skills do employers look for?)

14. What are the main or most important personal characteristics for success in the field?

15. What are the different settings in which people in this occupation may work (i.e. - educational institutions, businesses, etc.)?

16. What other kinds of workers frequently interact with this position?

17. Is there evidence of differential treatment between men and women workers with respect to job duties, pay, and opportunities for advancement?

18. What are the employment prospects in the advisor’s geographic area? Where are the best employment prospects? What are the employment prospects at the advisor’s company? Is mobility a necessary factor for success?

19. What are some related occupations?

20. What are the different salary ranges?

21. Does the typical worker have a set schedule (i.e. - 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or are the hours flexible?

22. What are the demands and frustrations that typically accompany this type of work?

23. Is there a typical chain of command in this field?

24. How can you determine that you have the ability or potential to be successful in this specific occupation?

25. Is this a rapidly growing field? Is it possible to predict future needs for workers in this field?

26. What types of technology are used and how are they used?

27. Where might job listings be found?

28. What entry level positions are there in this field that a liberal arts graduate might consider?

29. What does the advisor know now which would have been helpful to know when s/he was in your shoes?

Functional Questions:

1. How many hours does the subject work?

2. What sort of education does the subject have?

3. What has been the subject’s career path from college to present?

4. What are the satisfying aspects of the subject’s work?

5. What are the greatest pressures, strains or anxieties in the work?

6. What are the major job responsibilities?

7. What are the toughest problems and decisions with which the subject must cope?

8. What are the dissatisfying aspects of the work? Is this typical of the field?

9. How would the subject describe the atmosphere/culture of the work place?

10. Does the subject think you left you out any important questions that would be helpful in learning about the job or occupation?

11. Can the subject suggest others who may be valuable sources of information?

Source: http://jobsearch.about.com/od/infointerviews/a/infointervquest.htm

Task 3 - Informational Interview Report

Include the following sections in your informational interview report submission:

Interview (15 Marks)

· Describe the job you would like to hold after you graduate and explain why you have selected it

· Outline the person interviewed, the person's title, organization, the address where the interview was conducted as well as the date and time of the actual interview. Explain why you chose this individual and what you predicted would be the networking result.

· Send a thank-you follow-up email to the person. Take a screenshot of the email, and paste it into your MS Word file. Be sure to display both your email address and the recipient’s email address in your screenshot/printout.

Networking (25 Marks)

· Write out the 30 to 60 second self introduction you used when you spoke with the person.

· Provide, in a Question and Answer format, the questions you asked them and the answers they specifically provided. This type of interview should include a minimum of 10 questions that you initiated.

· Provide in a Question and Answer format, any questions that they asked of you, and the answers that you specifically provided too.

· Take a picture of the interviewee’s business card and include it in the files you submit. If instructed to

Reflection- After the Interview (20 Marks)

Answer these questions to help you to reflect on the information you gathered and consider issues such as:

1. What is your reaction to the number of hours and type of schedule (set/flexible) described?

2. What do you need to do to make yourself a competitive candidate?

3. Do you think you would be satisfied with the situation your contact described? Explain.

4. Do you think you would be dissatisfied with the same thing(s) your contact described as dissatisfying? Why or why not?

5. What is your reaction to the conditions (stress/anxieties) of this occupation? Do you want to deal with them?

6. Have any changes taken place in your opinion of the occupation as a result of your interview?

7. What are the most important new facts and understandings that you have acquired?

8. What misconceptions did you correct?

9. Based on this experience, what next steps will you take? Outline what two specific actions you plan to take to further enhance your job search/networking experience.

Neatness/Attention to Detail (5 Marks)

· Consider proper grammar, spelling, punctuation in your submission

· Make sure your set up is neat and easy to follow

Submission

· Name your MS Word file Informational Interview Report_Your Name.docx.

· Submit your MS Word file through the e.centennial dropbox before the due date.