Tips for Securing Your Career Seeker’s Informational Interviews
by Hallie Crawford, MA, CPCC
If your young adult’s entry into the working world isn’t what they thought it would be, it may be time for them to consider setting up informational interviews and looking elsewhere to devise another career path. The informational interview allows your son or daughter to make contact with representatives from companies that interest them. There is no ‘want ad’ to answer or an opening to fill; it is primarily to gather information.
But in addition to gathering information, it also allows your child to get his or her name out to other contacts which may, in turn, land them a job that speaks more to their interests.
Here’s how to help your son or daughter get that ball rolling on their career path and set up informational interviews:
- Help them identify someone in your or their social circle that already has a foot in the door.
- Work within your family to identify someone who can help set up an interview with the right contact.
- Encourage them to research company contacts online and then have your child take a bold step and simply ask to schedule an informational interview – cold turkey.
Once the contacts have been identified, help your adult child prepare for that informational interview by having them fine-tune their resume. He or she should include all the basics, including career objectives, college education, computer proficiencies and other relative skills, and existing experience. Even unpaid internships and volunteer roles should be included on his or her resume as it shows their initiative and drive. And if you feel the resume could use a complete overhaul, suggest to your child that he or she spend the extra money and contact a professional resume writer. It will be a worth-while investment when all is said and done.
Finally, once contacts are identified and the resume is ready, have your child make the initial contact. An introductory email is a solid, safe way for them to introduce him or herself, and spare the contact from being caught off guard. If the email address isn’t available, have your son or daughter make the introductory phone call. But have him or her first put pen to paper and have a ‘script’ of how to introduce him or herself and ask for the interview in a succinct fashion.
Copyright 2008 Hallie Crawford. All rights reserved.
About the Author:
Help your college grad get on the right track!
Certified Career Coach Hallie Crawford specializes in helping recent college grads and boomerangs identify their ideal career path and make it happen. To schedule a and find out more about Hallie visit http://www.halliecrawford.com or contact her at 877-298-6444.
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