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Networking:

a key to making career choices
By Alice Bergman director of career services

 

Some typical questions that are asked during an informational interview:

  • How did you get into this field?
  • What do you like most and least about your job?
  • What is your typical day like?
  • What are the responsibilities of your job, and are they the same for everyone with this job title?
  • What personal and other qualities that may be best suited to this type of career?
  • What are the prospects for someone entering your field today?
  • What are the key skills and personal characteristics necessary for success in this field?
  • How can I apply for and find a job in this field?
  • What percentage, if any, of your job requires travel?
  • Are there any other sources of information you might suggest?
  • Where might I go to find someone who could use my skills?
  • What programs and activities are your office involved in?
  • What are the recurring problems for people in this field or in your office?
  • What kind of salary range could I expect in this field?

And, most importantly:

  • Who do you know that I could benefit from talking with?
  • Where else might I go to find someone doing something similar to what you do?
A key way for your child to find meaningful work is through interviewing for information about people, activities, and occupations they would like to know more about. Their goal will be to shorten their list of occupations that interest them to a few that will provide the best match for their short-term and long-term goals.

By conducting an informational interview, your students can get exposure to the people and setting where they think they might like to work, develop the necessary rapport with someone who can hire them or might be willing to refer them to a hiring authority, and learn the vocabulary that pertains to a particular company or field. While this may turn into employment, the job or internship search is not a primary objective at this step.

The career services office provides workshops throughout the school year on the process and techniques for successful networking. We have increased the number of alumni volunteers in our database from 250 to over 700, providing more resources to students through the web site. We also provides a career preview program, which begins with students filling out an application on our website. We review the information and get in touch with appropriate alumni, parents, or professionals in the student’s desired field. We make the initial contact, and then the students follow up and conduct the interview.

Parents can help by volunteering to be one of our parent resources, encouraging your students to begin networking, and helping your student and his or her friends by providing contacts in fields that are of interest.

Please feel free to email me at alice.bergman@reed.edu or call 503/788-6698 if you would like to volunteer or if you have questions.