ASSIGNMENT #4
INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW ASSIGNMENT
According to Right Management consultants, a leading job placement firm, every good job and career decision should be based on quality information. One of the most productive ways to get such information is to establish and maintain a networking relationship with relevant people. One vehicle for starting a relationship with such people is called the Informational Interview.
Through contacts, including consulting with me or your teaching staff, select a member of the community from your program of study/specialty to interview, and arrange an Information Interview with them. The interview should include some of the questions from the attached pages.
Cannot be Faculty
Cannot be a Family member
Individual cannot be interviewed by more than 1 student
You are required to prepare a 3-page report, which has three sections to it.
Section 1
Describe how you selected the person interviewed. Describe the preparatory research you conducted about that person, their organization, and their position. What resources did you use? (½ to 1 page)
Section 2
Review below to develop your interview questions. Do not ask personal or illegal questions. Although this is not a job interview, this is a business meeting. Summarize the information obtained in the interview. Although the questions you ask are your choice, ensure you ask and report on:
• The educational and industry background of your interviewee
• What motivated him or her to pursue a career in this field or in this industry?
• Their area of expertise
• Their opinion of job prospects in their field now and in the future
• What skills, attitudes and knowledge does he/she believe are most important for someone entering the field or industry?
• What is a major challenge facing his/her industry in the last year?
• How did he/she get a first job in their field?
• Are they aware of employment opportunities. You may bring a resume to the meeting, but only provide it if your contact asks for it and email it later.
In Section 2, include the actual questions and answers you recorded. (1- 1 ½ page summary)
Section 3
Interview Reflection Record: the student should answer Questions below.
Answer these questions following your informational interview. This is intended as a self-reflection tool for you, to be included in Section 3 of this report. These are not interview questions for your interviewee.Complete this form using Word.
Reflect on the impact the informational interview has had on you. Write a one or two paragraph summary describing how this meeting has encouraged you to continue (or question) your career path. How will you be following up with this contact? (½ to 1 page + the Interview Reflection Record)
Contact’s First and Last Name
Title
Company Name
Industry
(eg. Manufacturing, banking, business service)
Phone and Email
Website
Date Interviewed
Describe an interesting fact or aspect of your contact’s industry or position?
Describe one of your most important attributes (personal skill). How might this benefit you in a summer placement?
What two technical skills do you want to develop or enhance as a result of your discussion with your contact?
What other careers are related to this field? Would these require other training
What questions did you have about your contact or their industry as a result of your research?If given the opportunity, what other question(s) would you want to ask your contact?Could you relate to your contact?
What are your plans to keep in touch with this contact?Where you able to get other possible contacts?