Chapter 7: Networking and Informational Interviewing (7/5) -- Career & Life Planning

Chapter 7: Networking and Informational Interviewing Networking You’ve heard the expression: “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know!” Well, there is a lot of truth to this saying. Although intelligence, job skills, and knowledge are all key to becoming satisfied in your career, it’s just as important to have good people skills and the ability to use your contacts to achieve your goals. NETWORKING is critical to academic and career success. Other very important ways to become successful: - Seek internships. Internships are usually unpaid work experiences that help you train for a job AND get to know helpful people in your field. Many students end up getting jobs where they have completed internships! - Continue to seek further training even after you start in your career. Every job can be a stepping stone to the next if you are strategic and good with people! - Use multiple methods for networking. Networking can lead to internships, scholarships, jobs and other opportunities. So how exactly do you network? Networking can include the following strategies: - Join one or more professional associations linked to your field of interest and start attending their local meetings. Students can often join for a lower fee, and others want to help students. You will find other professionals who really want to help you achieve your dreams. - Volunteer at the college or in the community, particularly in the field you want to pursue. This will look GREAT on your resume and scholarship applications. And you will meet people who will want to help you too. In this week’s discussion you will begin to practice the networking process by seeking out people for the Informational Interview assignment that will be due in two weeks. Informational Interview Informational Interviews If you’re looking for a new job or exploring a change of career, one of the best ways to learn about different fields and industries is to conduct informational interviews with people who have expertise in those fields. An informational interview is a conversation in which a person seeks insights on a career path, an industry, a company, and/or general career advice from someone with experience and knowledge in the areas of interest. Informational interviews differ from job interviews because the conversation is not about hiring and not about a specific job. The knowledge seeker asks general questions about an industry, company, or career path, and the knowledge provider has an opportunity to learn about the knowledge seeker’s character and qualifications outside of a formal job interview process. Even though an informational interview is usually less formal than a job interview, it still requires preparation, and you’ll find that it calls upon many of the skills you’re practicing in this public speaking course: research, audience analysis, crafting your message, delivering your message succinctly and professionally, active listening, and soliciting feedback, among others. Although each infor