Career Services - Informational Interviewing for GBS 151

Summary

This workshop, led by a career advisor from Chandler Gilbert Community College, focuses on the importance of informational interviews for career exploration and professional networking. It covers a seven-step process: identifying what to explore, finding professionals to contact, reaching out effectively, preparing for the interview, conducting it, following up, and reflecting on the experience. The presentation emphasizes how informational interviews can provide valuable insights into industries, job roles, and trends, while building connections that may lead to mentorship or job opportunities. The session also provides tools, resources, and tips for reaching out to potential interviewees.

Takeaways

• 😀 Informational interviews are conversations aimed at gaining insights into a career path, not about securing a job directly.
• 😀 These interviews provide career exploration, insider knowledge on job roles, and valuable networking opportunities.
• 😀 70% of jobs are not advertised, and informational interviews have a significantly higher chance of leading to job offers compared to resumes.
• 😀 Research tools like MyNextMove.org and Maricopa Pipeline AZ can help students explore career options and industry trends.
• 😀 LinkedIn is a powerful platform for identifying professionals to reach out to for informational interviews.
• 😀 Ideal candidates for informational interviews should have at least five years of experience, demonstrate career growth, and be open to sharing their journey.
• 😀 Avoid interviewing individuals who are new to the field, have irrelevant roles, or whose experiences are too similar to what you already know.
• 😀 Craft a brief, professional, and personalized email when reaching out to request an informational interview, offering flexibility in scheduling.
• 😀 If you don’t hear back after a week, follow up politely and persistently to increase the likelihood of securing an interview.
• 😀 Preparing for an informational interview involves researching the company, the professional's background, and crafting insightful questions to ask.
• 😀 After the interview, always follow up with a thank-you note, and consider building a lasting relationship through LinkedIn to keep the connection alive.

Q & A

What is the purpose of an informational interview?

The purpose of an informational interview is to gather insights about a specific career path, job roles, and industry trends. It's a way to explore career options, build professional networks, and get a clearer understanding of a field before making decisions.

How does an informational interview differ from a job interview?

Unlike a job interview, which is focused on securing a position, an informational interview is aimed at collecting information and learning about a professional's career. It's not about applying for a job but about gaining insights into the field.

Why are informational interviews important for career exploration?

Informational interviews help individuals explore different careers, clarify their goals, and understand industry specifics. They also provide an opportunity to build relationships with professionals, which can help in future career decisions or networking.

What resources can help when trying to identify potential career paths for informational interviews?

Resources like *mynextmove.org* can help clarify career options. It allows you to explore various job roles based on your interests and skills, providing valuable guidance when choosing industries or career paths to explore.

What should you include in a professional outreach email for an informational interview?

In an outreach email, you should introduce yourself, explain the purpose of your request (gathering insights about their career), and respectfully ask for a short meeting (15-20 minutes). It should be polite, clear, and concise.

What is the ideal length for an informational interview, and why?

The ideal length for an informational interview is 15-20 minutes. This duration is respectful of the interviewee's time while allowing enough time to gather meaningful insights.

What type of questions should you ask during an informational interview?

You should ask questions that go beyond basic information and focus on industry trends, skills needed for success, challenges in the field, and the interviewee’s personal career journey. Questions should be thoughtful and specific to the field you're interested in.

How should you prepare for an informational interview?

Before an informational interview, research the professional and their organization. Prepare specific, thoughtful questions that demonstrate your interest and curiosity about the career and industry. This preparation shows respect for the interviewee's time.

What is the significance of following up after an informational interview?

Following up after an informational interview is important to express gratitude for the interviewee's time and insights. It also helps maintain the relationship and shows professionalism. A thank-you note or email should be sent promptly after the interview.

What should you reflect on after completing an informational interview?

After an informational interview, you should reflect on what you learned about the profession, whether it aligns with your career goals, and which aspects of the job sound appealing or draining. This reflection will help guide your next steps in your career journey.