Conducting Informational Meetings

Talking points for an informational interview “I am a (job title or profession) ___________________________”

“with extensive experience in ____________________________”

“My strengths include _________________________________”

“My preferred work functions are_________________________” “The type of company I would like to work for is______________”

“What I am hoping to accomplish from our is meeting is________”• Learn more about this industry • List of organizations I should be targeting• Get your feedback on my Marketing Plan• Help me identify my gaps• Pick your brain for ideas on what they call people who do what I do• Ideas for bridge jobs• Referral to someone who would be good for me to connect with

Your Ideal JobRequirements – Qualifications = Gaps

Ideal job_________________________________________   •What are the skills and competencies required for your ideal job. Requirements of Ideal Candidate: Rank your Qualifications

•___________________________ _____________________________•___________________________ _____________________________•___________________________ _____________________________•___________________________ _____________________________•___________________________ _____________________________

Homework

Gap Identification• Where is your biggest gap?_________________________

• What is needed to fill the gap?_____________________

• What can you accomplish with a bridge job?

• Identify target industries and companies.

• Reality check by asking Truth Tellers

Bridging the Gap

Marketing Plan Customer Support Specialist Inbound Help Desk

Problem Resolution Training/Mentoring End-users• Supported end-users in the US as well as globally. • Troubleshooting and problem resolution rate was 90%. • Developed and Facilitated training for new hires, customized to contract holders

requirements. • Strong verbal/written communications while multitasking within database,

spreadsheets in real time. Geographic Preference:

Monroe CountyTypes of Industries:

Information Technology, Transportation, Utilities, Healthcare, InsuranceTarget List of Potential Companies:Excellus Bausch & Lomb CellTech Vanteon Blue Tie Paychex Safeco RG&E/EnergetixMetlifeArea Optimax Sutherland Group VerizonPitney Bowes Nortel Frontier Unity Health

Potential Questions to ask During an Informational Meeting• Tell me about yourself?• Why/how did you choose your career? • What do you find most rewarding in your work? What

would you change, if you could?• Can you describe the skills that you love to use? • Can you describe a typical day for someone in your work? • What do you think is the greatest opportunity in your field

in the near future? The biggest threat? • What are the traits and skills of people who are the most

successful in your field?• Can you describe a typical day for someone in this

position? • Can you describe the company’s management style? • What do you think is the greatest opportunity facing the

organization in the near future? The biggest threat? • Why did you come to work here?• What keeps you here?

• What are the traits and skills of people who are the most successful within the organization?

• What changes do you anticipate in the organization?• Are new employees’ assigned mentors?• If someone has little to no experience in this field, how

might someone make a transition into it?• Can you tell me how you got to this position?• Are there any professional or trade associations I should

connect with?• Are there any businesses that you think I should be

targeting?• Are there any individuals that you think I should talk to/try

to connect with?• What do you read — in print and online — to keep up

with developments in your field?• If you were just getting involved now, where would you

put yourself?

Practice Conducting Informational Interviews• Tell me about yourself?• Why/how did you choose your career? • What do you find most rewarding in your work? What would you change, if you

could?• Can you describe the skills that you love to use? • What do you think is the greatest opportunity in your field in the near future?

The biggest threat? • What are the traits and skills of people who are the most successful in your field?• If someone has little to no experience in this field, how might someone make a

transition into it?