October 31, 2018
Fast-track career success with Informational Interviews 0
Informational interviewing can play a pivotal role in building one’s network to assist in penetrating the hidden job market and unadvertised job prospects, but unfortunately is often a tool ignored in a job seeker’s career and job search campaign.
Informational interviewing is a ‘fact-finding exploration’ that will assist a job seeker in identifying an optimal place of work that is conducive to their skills, motivation and talent, thus positioning them for continued growth and fulfilment within their careers.
Conducting informational interviews will allow a job seeker to pinpoint their strengths and requirements for further development, while also providing an opportunity to build their confidence and communication skills, both crucial for future job interviews.
Neglecting to implement this critical research and screening tool within their job search sadly can lead to a job seeker discovering their discontentment after they have accepted a job offer, or worse, are working within the role.
Therefore, if a particular role or industry is of interest to you, go and check it out first by meeting with the people who are already performing in these roles to establish whether or not this career path not only interests but suits you.
Benefits of Informational Interviewing:
It is important not to confuse informational interviewing with a job interview. You are not interviewing for a role, nor should you ever, under any circumstances, ask for a job.
By conducting an informational interview, you should:
Gain a deeper understanding of the job specifications (beyond the job title);
Enhance your awareness of the company’s culture and how you may/may not fit into the work environment;
Expand your network of contacts within the industry thus optimizing your targeting ‘the hidden job market’;.
Strengthen your understanding of the company’s structure and possible needs so that in the future, should an employment opportunity present itself, you can better position yourself as a top candidate;
Network with professionals in a relatively low-stress setting to assist you in building your self-confidence while gaining crucial information you can harness during your job search campaign;
Screen the organization to help you in your decision-making process, should you be extended an opportunity for employment in the future.
Getting Started:
Begin by developing a list of people you would be interested in speaking with. These may include people already in your network of contacts or even a company you would consider working at, which is an excellent opportunity to expand your network of contacts. So don’t be afraid to touch base with people you don’t know.
While in-person meetings are ideal, conducting informational interviews over the phone can be just as beneficial in your research. Hectic schedules govern many people, so a 10-15 minute phone call may not seem as potentially disruptive as a face-to-face meeting.
Acquiring an Appointment:
Contact the person with whom you wish to meet either by letter or telephone. Introduce yourself and explain the reason for your contact. Remember to mention the person’s name that referred you at the beginning of the call.
Use the following script as a guideline:
” Hello, my name is I’m currently exploring career options in the industry and was given your details by for the possibility of obtaining further information about this field and how you got started in the industry. I ‘d love to be able to meet with you briefly and will only take about 10-15 minutes of your time.”.
Should they respond with apprehension or the comment “Is it possible to do this by phone?” you may like to respond with “Certainly– although it would be an honour to meet with you.”
Remember, avoid being pushy– a telephone meeting will also allow you to gather pertinent information.
The Informational Interview Meeting;
Just as if you were attending a job interview, your appearance/attire and your approach should be professional throughout the entire meeting.
Ensure you are well prepared to bring with you your questions, a pen and notebook to jot down the information offered.
Possible Research Questions:
What background do you believe is necessary for people working in this field?
Could you outline current issues and trends associated with this industry?
Can you describe what you believe a typical working environment is like for this industry?
Describe what a typical working day involves for you.
Could you list some of the crucial skills required for this role/industry?
What would you say would be the top 5 aspects of your role?
What would be the least desirable areas about your role?
What advice would you give someone looking to enter this industry/role?
Could you recommend any industry publications or articles where I could gather further information?
Are you able to provide the names of people I could talk to regarding the industry?
Would you mind if I used your name as a referral?
You may consider bringing a copy of your resume and request the person to review it at a later stage to provide feedback on its content and format, which will give you another perfect opportunity to touch base with them.
Leave your business card and request a business card from the person you are meeting.
Final thoughts:
Remember, be respectful of the person’s time and stay within your allocated time guidelines. Do not ask for a job, nor be too aggressive in your questioning/approach.
Thank You’s:
Following the (in-person/telephone) meeting send a thank you letter, expressing your gratitude for their time and valuable information he/she shared.
Continued success!
No one wants to toil out the majority of their days in a job that pays poorly and from which you derive no sense of joy or satisfaction. Most of us dream of a career in one field or another that allows us to live comfortably and still have a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment of purpose at the end of the day. The good news is, those jobs are out there, but you will have to follow some basic rules to land the job of your dreams.
Chances are you already have many ideas about what it takes to successfully transition into a new career, even if you have never done it before. Some of those ideas might be useful– most probably are not. In this article, I would like to expose The Myths of Career Change, which might be holding you back.
November 26, 2018
Importance of Doing Research Before Changing Jobs 0
by Wordscapes® • Job Search Tips • Tags: career change
Are you currently employed, but unhappy with your current job? Whether you are unsatisfied with your current pay level or feel as if you are unable to advance within your company, you may be interested in changing jobs or possibly even careers. If that is the case, you are urged not to act on an impulse, as doing so can create more harm than good.
Should you be interested in changing jobs or careers, there are some essential points that you will want to take into consideration, before you take action. These points can help to ensure that you can quickly and effectively change jobs, without causing any harm to your good name or your finances. A few of the many points that you will want to keep in mind are outlined below for your convenience.
One of the most important points to examine is the current job outlook in or around your area, which is critical, as it can have an impact on your ability to change careers or find a new job. Another one of the many reasons why it is imperative first to examine the job outlook for your area is because once many individuals decide that they would like to have a career change or a job change they go right ahead and do so. If you rely on your current job to support yourself and your family, you will want to try and refrain from outright quitting your current job without a new one in place.
As ideal as it is to hear that you may want to keep your current job while trying to find a new job at the same time, you may be curious as to how it is even possible to do. While it may require a lot of hard work and tight scheduling, it is more than likely for you to do so. You may want to consider giving your employer your notice if the job outlook in your area is enough to provide you with hope. With that in mind, you may want to consider giving more advice than the fabulous two weeks., which can help buy yourself time, as well give your employer ample opportunity to find your replacement and may also give you the chance to take off time for job interviews. However, if you feel uncomfortable taking this approach, it is advised that you use sick time or vacation time to attend any upcoming job interviews you can land.
The tips mentioned above can help you if you are looking to change jobs; however, if you are looking to change careers, there are more points that you will want to take into consideration. One of those points is the needed training and experience. For example, if you are currently working as a secretary and if your dream job involves working as a nurse, have you attended nursing school? If you have yet to do so, you may be unable to find a role in the field of nursing or even healthcare for that matter. Although this does seem like common sense, it is a scenario that many hopeful job seekers fail to take into consideration.
The factors as mentioned above are just a few of the many points that you will want to take into consideration before you decide to go ahead and change jobs or change careers automatically. In all honesty, be advised to use your best judgment. Never assume that you will land a new job until you are offered it and never count on being awarded the position that you do not qualify. Using your best judgment is the perfect way to find a new job or career, but without hurting your good name and your finances.