Informational Interviews: - The Key to Networking Success

Informational Interviews:

The Key to Networking Success

UChicago Alumni Association Webinar 3/24/16

gradcareers.uchicago.edu

I) What are they?

II) Why do them?

III) Who to meet?

IV) How to arrange conversations?

V) How to conduct the meeting?

VI) How to follow up effectively?

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What are

these things?

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Defining Informational Interviews

WHAT ARE THEY?

 Informal conversations

arranged at your

request

 Common practice

among job seekers,

particularly those

changing fields

 Essential networking

tool

 The easiest way to

network- especially for

introverts

WHAT ARE THEY NOT?

 NOT A JOB INTERVIEW

 Robotic interactions

with single defined

objective

 Sufficient on their own

for developing a real

relationship

 A shady exchange

intended to cheat an

otherwise meritocratic

labor market

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Why should I

do them?

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Why you should do them

 Make contacts in an organization

 Learn more about the field and the

organization

 Learn examples of personal success stories

 Discover Job openings before they are listed

 Demonstrate sincere interest in the

company/job

 Have a chance to develop a mentoring

relationship

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Why people agree to them

 Common practice for nearly all professionals

 Opportunity to “pay forward” help/advice they

received

 People like talking about themselves and are

often flattered to be asked about their

experience

 They may actually be looking for talent

 They know you could help them one day

 Some people are just really nice and like to

mentor

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Who should I

interview?

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Your Entire Network

1. Immediate network

• Current and former

colleagues

• Current classmates

• Close friends and family

• People you met recently

2. Extended network

• Contacts of people in

immediate network

• Former classmates

• Dormant professional

contacts

3. Potential network

• Alumni

• Shared interests or

background

• LinkedIn

• Company websites

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Some Considerations

Geographic

preference

Stage of

career

Career

Satisfaction

Active

Networking

Strength of

connection

jobs

Scheduling

availability

Willingness

to help

Level of

interest

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How do I

connect?

grad.uchicago.edu

LinkedIn/uchicagoalumni.org

 Yes, you should use LinkedIn.

 Include a photo, update profile add connections

 Join UChicago LinkedIn alumni group

 All students, postdocs and alumni have access

to uchicagoalumni.org

 Search by program, graduation year, title, location, industry,

company

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LinkedIn/uchicagoalumni.org

DEMO…

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New Connections: Do’s & Don’t’s

DO:

 Send brief, 1 paragraph

 Express interest in their

personal career path

 Ask for 30 min of their

time

 Prioritize in-person

meetings when possible

 Follow up in 1 wk. if no

DO NOT

 Write an essay

 Seem desperate

 Attach resume

 Ask questions by email

that negate the

necessity to meet

 Send two emails in <1

week

 Ask for a job

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Example Outreach Email

Subject: UChicago PhD Student Interested in Cyberdyne

Dear Miles,

I am a current physics PhD student at The University of Chicago and I

noticed in the alumni directory that you work for Cyberdyne Systems

Corporation. I plan to graduate in two years and I am now starting to

explore career options. The Skynet initiative at CDI is fascinating and I

would like to learn more about Cyberdyne as well as your personal

career path. Would you be willing to speak with me over coffee or

lunch sometime in the next two weeks? I look forward to speaking

with you soon!

Sincerely,

John Connor

www.linkedin.com/in/johnconnor

First name usually appropriate

Customize your LinkedIn url!

Substitute phone call if

contact is not local

Identify things in

common or person who

referred you to them

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Meeting set.

How do I

prepare?

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Preparing for the Interview

 Research person and the company thoroughly

 Prepare specific (and open ended) questions

beforehand and have them written down

 Be prepared to organize flow of conversation

but be flexible

 Practice elevator speech

 Dress professionally

 Respect their time

 (start & end on schedule)

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Outline of Conversation

 Introduction

 Thank them for agreeing to meet/speak

 Small talk about how you found them

 Elevator speech

 Questions about job/company/industry

 Follow up questions demonstrate interest/attentiveness

 Questions about person

 Opportunity to find out about possible career path

 Allows person to open up and relate as human

 Make request

 Introductions to additional people

 Advice for someone in your position

 Resume help

 Opportunities

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Typical Questions

 Could you tell me what a “typical” day is like for you?

 What do you like about your work? What are the most

challenging parts?

 What skills did you gain from your MA/PhD/postdoc

that have helped you in your career?

 Would you mind telling me about your career path and

how you got to your current position?

 What advice do you have for someone with my

background who wants to enter this field/company?

 Is there someone here or elsewhere that you’d

recommend I speak with? (Goal: Gain 2 contacts from

every interview)

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Meeting

Complete…

now what?

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Send Thank You Notes

 Always send one within 24 hours by

 Follow up at least once, a few

weeks later with a status update

 Consider sending a hand-written

Thank You note a few days after

your email

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Sample Thank You Note

Dear Miles,

Thank you so much for speaking with me yesterday! It was

fascinating to hear about your personal career path in addition to

learning about the internal structure Cyberdyne Systems

Corporation. It sounds like I am in a situation that similar to what

you experienced when you were exploring careers, so it was both

informative and encouraging to learn about your success. The

innovative robotics programs like The Terminator will be key to

ensuring our national security. I appreciate your willingness to

speak with me and offer advice and I look forward to staying in

touch.

Sincerely,

John Connor

www.linkedin.com/in/johnconnor

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Staying in Touch

 Add contact on LinkedIn

with personalized message

 Reply to original email

 Report back after following

up with suggested contacts

 Send them articles of interest

 Offer to connect them with others

 Keep them updated on your job search

 Seek to develop mentoring relationship

 Look out for ways you can help them!

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Next Steps…

 Speak with a career advisor

 Get business cards (if you don’t have them already)

 Add me on LinkedIn and update your profile

 Set aside 1-2 hours/week to research contacts

 Send 1-5 outreach emails/week

 Schedule 1-4 informational interviews/month

 Keep track of emails and connections including notes

on conversation and follow up dates

www.linkedin.com/in/tessel

www.chicagograd.biz.vistaprint.com

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