PROJECT 13: Network Informational Interviewing |
OVERVIEW: |
Networking is one of
the most important activities that you will do in your lifelong career
endeavors. It has two main facets: interviewing for information (getting
known) and creating a networking database that grows continuously. One of
your networking projects will focus on the interview and the other on your
database creation. Just like cover letters, resumes, interviewing skills, and
career focus, networking skills improve as you implement actions recommended
in your textbook. Who are your
potential network partners? Whether you are as happy as possible in your
chosen career field and with your current employer or if you have just been
terminated, you never want to stop your networking activities. Even in
retirement it is networking that keeps you growing in your life’s working
activities. This project
complements Project 17, Network Partner Database Creation. You might find
that completing both of these projects will best fit your needs, depending on
your career track direction. Who are the influential people that you will
interview for information? These projects work
especially well for students who will eventually need graduate study
references, are considering an entrepreneurial track, or see themselves on a
fast track up into a given career field. This is an excellent project even if you have
already accepted employment.
Creating a database of contacts will always enhance your future plans
regardless of your career directions. |
PROJECT
INSTRUCTIONS: |
Read textbook Chapter
16 on Networking thoroughly. Your finished project
should fulfill ALL of the
requirements below. NETWORK INTERVIEWING FOR INFORMATION Networking increases your
chances of finding the right job. There are many alumni in our database
waiting to help you if you only ask. You may know of others willing to help
you. You should begin this project well in advance of its due date. A. Review Chapter 16 in the textbook on Networking and Informational Interviewing. B. Review the PowerPoint lectures and discussion sessions on
the networking topic. C. Select a
Contact: Review the content in the
chapters on cover letters and resumes so you can see the proper formats and
word choices that will help you earn the respect of your potential network
partners. Then identify one potential network partner that will help you in
your current job search or long-term career advancement. You will need
complete information on this person who can be a faculty member, IU staff
member, IU alumnus, leader in your profession, potential employer, leader in
your community, employed in your job interest area, etc. Write a brief note
identifying this person to your Career Counselor. Describe the background of
your informational interview person. D. Request
Appointment: Write a cover letter
(which may be sent via email) that you feel will persuade the person to
respond. Follow the business letter format given in Figure
13.6 in the textbook even though you may use email. In your cover letter
include: ·
as many of your
questions as possible, drawing your questions from Figure
16.7, organized around topics. Draw up a separate page of questions
specific to your unique situation. ·
your background that
summarizes your resume including the format tips from Figure
13.7. ·
your purpose in the
information search (Prepare a one-paragraph opening “commercial” about
yourself and your goals for this meeting.) ·
sources of their name,
e.g. alumni database, mutual friend, professor, etc., explaining the
relationship. E. Free-form
Resume: Attach your resume using
the Networking Recommender Resume format
discussed earlier in the last section of Chapter 11. F. Timing: Send this at a time appropriate to your total job
search plan. Create a short statement about timing. Given this due date, you
must send it now. G. Implement: You must actually implement your plan by sending
the email and then following up with a personal appointment or telephone
interview. You are expected to carefully follow Figure
16.8 in your textbook as well as the other methods described in Chapter
16. Write a brief evaluation of the person’s response. Did you cover the
questions you wanted (needed) to ask? Did the conversation take a different
track? Results of the contact—any follow-up? H. Follow-up: Draft a thank-you note (which may be sent via
email) to the network partner. Follow the guidelines in your textbook. Deliverables: Turn in to your Career Counselor: Ø
Informational
interview request letter Ø
List of
informational questions Ø
Networking
Recommender Resume (could be from a previous project) Ø
Timing
statement Ø
Interview
results summary including follow-up plans Ø
Thank you
email/letter. |