It is, therefore, useful to gain a realistic perspective on where you could take your career to help develop your own aspirations. 8. "How Do You Continue Your Professional Development? " Ask your interviewee what resources they use to progress their skills and keep themselves up-to-date on industry developments. For example: Industry publications and academic journals Trade organizations Blogs, books or email newsletters Social media profiles of industry experts or relevant companies Reputable news sources It is common to be asked to demonstrate your commercial awareness in interviews, so consider using some of these resources to keep yourself informed. 9. "What Surprised You the Most When You Began This Role? " This question will help you uncover details about the job that won't be advertised in the job description. You can use this information to more accurately gauge whether you would enjoy the role. For example, perhaps your interviewee was surprised by the amount of paperwork required, or by how closely senior management works with the regular employees.
Getty Images As NFL Network faces a sexual harassment lawsuit from a former employee, a woman who interviewed for a job there says she too was subjected to inappropriate treatment. Lindsay McCormick, a broadcaster who has worked for many media outlets, wrote on Instagram that when she was interviewing for a job at NFL Network, a male executive asked her if she would get "knocked up immediately like the rest of them. " "I've been quiet about this for too long, " McCormick wrote. "In my last interview with NFL Network a few years ago, the head of hiring talent said to me, 'If we hire you, do you plan on getting knocked up immediately like the rest of them? ' 'Them' as in badass working women who deserve to have a family life as well? 'Them' as the women who work their tails off to be taken seriously in a man's world? Or 'them' who bring you a new audience and a tremendous amount of viewership? Because while I don't plan on 'getting knocked up, ' I do plan on being like the rest of those brilliant women that our future daughters will one day look up to and see you can have it all.
For example: You are a college student or recent graduate thinking about potential career paths. You are switching careers and you want to find out whether your new career path is right for you. You are returning to full-time work after being self-employed or a stay-at-home parent. How to Request an Informational Interview Daunting as it may be, unless you know the person you want to speak with, you are going to have to 'cold call' a stranger to request an informational interview. The best person to speak to is somebody who already works in a position related to the one you are looking for. For example, if you want to be a software developer, aim to speak to someone who is a software developer themselves. Tips for tracking down your interviewee: Check relevant companies' websites and go to the 'About Us' or 'Contact' pages. There will sometimes be a list of employees and their contact details. Choose the employee with the most relevant job title. Check companies' LinkedIn profiles for connected employees.
Contact a company's HR department and ask to be referred to someone in a relevant position. Once you have identified your interviewee, you need to make contact. You could pick up the phone and speak to them directly, but you are more likely to be rejected if you put them on the spot. Your best option is to send a short, professional email that the interviewee can consider in their own time. Your email should be structured as follows: 1. Introduce Yourself Give some basic information about yourself and your current position or job title. Ensure you emphasize to your recipient that you are doing career research and that you are not a recruiter. 2. State Your Request Briefly explain that you are considering a career change and would like to find out more about your recipient's work. Indicate that you would love to set up a short meeting, over the phone or in person, to discuss what they do. 3. Call to Action Request that your recipient contacts you at their convenience to arrange a meeting, and provide your contact details.
Learn what the recruiter really wants to hear and put a stop to the rejection once and for all! 7 Questions That Will Knock the Socks Off Your Interviewer "Do you have any questions for me? " is the inevitable question you'll hear at the end of any interview. You should always ask the interviewer This checklist will help you get organized and stay focused before, during and after the interview. This interview checklist will help you organize your thoughts and stay focused before, during, and after your next job interview. How To Answer the "Describe Yourself" Interview Question Here are some tips to using buzzwords while describing yourself in job interview that help you to promote yourself. The Social Introvert: Rocking the Job Interview Advice from The Social Introvert on staying true to your quiet nature while showing your best side in job interviews. 21 Job Interview Tips Everyone Should Know Your resume will be at the top of the stack. What to Say When the Interviewer Asks, 'Why Should We Hire You? '
10. "Is There Anyone Else I Should Speak to About This Career? " Why end your networking with your interviewee? Forging connections is vital in any industry, so make sure to ask whether there is anyone else you can contact to discuss your career. The more perspectives you gain on your chosen career path, the better prepared you will be. Final Thoughts Here is a summary of the key points covered in this article: Think about why you need an informational interview and what you want to get out of it (for example, you looking to make connections in an industry). Choose your interviewee wisely: they should already be working in a position or industry you want to enter. Request your informational interview by using a formal email sent directly to your interviewee. Prepare thoroughly for the interview: research your interviewee and the company, and list questions using tthis article for guidance. After the interview, remember to thank your interviewee and keep them updated on your career progression, to maintain your connection.
Asking questions can be of huge benefit when it comes to interviewing for a job. You are likely to spend over five months of your life in job interviews Most people will spend around 162 days in some form of interview process over their lifetime. How to Answer: "So Tell Me About Yourself" 15 managers reveal the interview red flags that keep them from hiring someone If you've ever left a job interview thinking you nailed it and then never gotten a call back, you might have made some of these mistakes without even realizing. Bad-mouthing your last job, lying about your skills, and even wearing too much perfume can ruin your chances of getting the job. Do Not Give This Answer to "What's Your Weakness? " in an Interview - Do not give this answer to the "What's Your Weakness? " nursing interview question. Here's how to answer "What's Your Weakness? " and nail your interview The Secret to Going from Interview to Job Offer | Career Contessa Are you constantly interviewing for job opportunities with no end in sight?
Take notes – Your interest will impress your interviewee. Remember to thank your interviewee for their time. Continue to maintain your new business connection – If you get a job off the back of your informational interview, email your interviewee to thank them. Top 10 Informational Interview Questions 1. "Why Did You Choose This Career Path? " This is a good icebreaker to start with because it's personal to your interviewee (people love nothing more than to talk about themselves), and it will help you gain a valuable perspective on the job and the wider industry. "What Jobs and Experience Helped You Obtain This Position? " Learning about your interviewee's educational background and work history can help you understand the experience you should also be seeking to obtain. Your interviewee's history will demonstrate the kinds of experience you need to reference in your job applications. Compare your own experience with your interviewee's and identify the key skills you have in common. For example, attention to detail, organization or problem-solving skills.