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THE TRADITIONAL JOB SEARCH
For years job seekers have used certain tactics which can be classified as the traditional job search approach: identifying job openings and possible employers for the purpose of direct application or inquiry, participating in on-campus interviews, and using private or government employment agencies. A number of employment experts have documented drawbacks to this approach such as:
1. Positions that are advertised and immediately available account for only 20-25% of all available positions.
2. Employers receive unsolicited resumes from many interested and qualified job seekers. On the average, one job offer is made for every 1470 resumes received.
3. Most employers do not use on-campus recruiting to fill their employment needs.
4. Most employment agencies are profit-making organizations and may be trying to place job seekers in positions as quickly as possible to earn a commission. Thus the job seeker's objective may not be at their upper-most interest.
THE NON-TRADITIONAL JOB SEARCH: WHAT IS IT?
Many employment experts advocate a more active and assertive approach to finding a job known as the non-traditional job search. The non-traditional job search is a strategy of interviewing for information. It is not, however, a job interview. Therefore, it is not a method of asking or applying for a job. It is an investment of time and energy in the network-building and information- gathering phase of a complete and thorough search for the job you deserve!
TRADITIONAL vs. NON-TRADITIONAL
Information interviewing differs from job interviewing in these ways:
Employment interviews:
employer seeks you out employer sets up the appointment employer finds out what they need to know
Information interviews:
YOU initiate the contacts YOU seek out the employer YOU ask the questions YOU draw conclusions YOU set up the appointment YOU decide what you need to know YOU conduct the interview
Therefore:
· You gain exposure to the work setting, get a detailed description of a job's responsibilities, learn the vocabulary that pertains to a particular organization or career field, develop interpersonal rapport with someone who might possibly hire you or make a referral and demonstrate your motivation skills and your proactive position.
· If conducting a traditional job search simultaneously, information interviews can be helpful in providing the background needed to prepare for formal employment interviews.
· The information interview provides an opportunity to "tap into the hidden market" ahead of other traditional job seekers. Statistically, the vast majority of job openings (75-80%) are only advertised by word of mouth.
I'M TOO SHY
Before anyone rejects information interviewing by saying, "I'm too shy," realize that most people in the types of jobs you are exploring have personalities similar to yours and would be glad to share what they know. You don't have to be brave or outgoing, just enthusiastic and willing to work. You may find, as many have, that informational interviewing is enjoyable as well as worthwhile!
KNOW THYSELF
Where you should begin in the non-traditional job search depends in part on where you are in the process of life. Socrates said it best, "Know Thyself". This is vitally important if you are to gain satisfying employment. Consideration of these questions will help you to clarify your interests thus, your employment goals.
· What do I like to do? (This may or may not relate to your college major). · Where do I want to live? · What am I doing when I lose track of time? · How much money do I need? (Don't confuse this with how much money you want.) · What do people compliment me on? · What do I want to do and accomplish before I die? · Should I take skill, ability and interest tests? · What are my goals for 1,3,5 and 10 years from now?
RESEARCH
Search for interesting occupations and job titles. Find the employers with more than a surface appeal for you. Identify specific persons with whom you need to talk. The personnel office of an organization may be one place to start. But the director of sales, for example, can tell you more about sales if that is your interest. You can ask everyone if they know of anyone in a job close to your interests, or you may want to explore companies or organizations directly. You will make valuable contacts through: family, friends, co-workers, your boss, fellow students, alumni, professional or service organization members, college department chairs, professors, the Career Services Center staff, or in magazine or newspaper articles about people who are doing the kind of work you want to do.
NECESSARY EQUIPMENT:
1. A notebook small enough to be carried with you at all times.
2. Personal calling cards with just your name, address and phone number on them. When you hand one to a person, they will likely hand you a card in return thus providing both parties a correctly spelled name and address for future correspondence.
3. A record-keeping system to record all the people you talk to, when you talked to them and notes to jog your memory about your conversation.
4. Quality linen paper on which to send "thank you" notes. Send a typed thank you letter to every person with whom you talk.
ARRANGING INTERVIEWS
Use a businesslike approach when calling to set up your interviews. If asked who you are representing, reply that you are representing yourself. You may begin a phone conversation with a possible interviewer,
"Hello, my name is ________. I am considering entering your field of work (or considering looking for a job like yours), but I just do not know enough about it to know for sure. I was wondering if I could make an appointment to talk with you about what you do in your job."
You may wish to walk into the organization and approach a secretary. Explain clearly that you are seeking information about a certain career and ask who would be the best source. Sometimes you will run into a protective secretary who will refuse to let you see the person you want. Always be polite. Proceed to ask the secretary the questions you need answered. Chances are if s/he does not have the answers, you may be referred to the person to whom you wanted to speak in the first place.
CONDUCTING INTERVIEWS
It's necessary to be clear to yourself and others that you are not (at this) point asking for a job. You are looking for information to aid you in decision-making about careers or possible places to look later. Have some questions ready however, and be aware, too, that other questions may arise during the course of the interview. Questions to consider may include:
· How did you get into this field? · What do you like most about it? · What do you like least about it? · What is your typical day like? · What are the responsibilities of your job? · Are these duties the same for everyone with this job title? · What kind of individual (in terms of talent and personality) would be best suited for this kind of job? · What are the prospects for someone entering your field today? · What advice would you give me about applying for and finding a job in this field? · Is there any travel required? · Are there any other sources of information you might suggest? · Whom do you know that I can benefit from talking with? · Where else might I go to find someone doing something similar to what you do? · What kinds of programs/activities does your department engage in? · What kinds of people do you usually deal with? · What seem to be recurring problems for people in the field or your office? · What kind of salary could I expect to make working in the field?
CLOSING THE INTERVIEW
If, in the course of your interview for information, it becomes very evident that you have found the company, department, or even the person for whom you want to work, ask if you can leave your resume in case anything develops (unless, of course, because of what you've learned, you need to first revise your resume). At the same time, ask if it would be all right for you to call back from time to time.
THANK YOU
After you have interviewed someone, send a short letter to thank them for helping you develop a more clear picture of the work you want to do. Such a letter will serve to remind the person of you. This is an appropriate time to provide the potential employer your revised resume, if you are interested in working for their firm. See pages 102-113 for help with writing thank you letters.
THE KEY
The key to this whole process is your enthusiasm. If you are truly interested in learning about a career field, it will show, and the person you are talking with will most often respond positively.
For years job seekers have used certain tactics which can be classified as the traditional job search approach: identifying job openings and possible employers for the purpose of direct application or inquiry, participating in on-campus interviews, and using private or government employment agencies. A number of employment experts have documented drawbacks to this approach such as:
1. Positions that are advertised and immediately available account for only 20-25% of all available positions.
2. Employers receive unsolicited resumes from many interested and qualified job seekers. On the average, one job offer is made for every 1470 resumes received.
3. Most employers do not use on-campus recruiting to fill their employment needs.
4. Most employment agencies are profit-making organizations and may be trying to place job seekers in positions as quickly as possible to earn a commission. Thus the job seeker's objective may not be at their upper-most interest.
THE NON-TRADITIONAL JOB SEARCH: WHAT IS IT?
Many employment experts advocate a more active and assertive approach to finding a job known as the non-traditional job search. The non-traditional job search is a strategy of interviewing for information. It is not, however, a job interview. Therefore, it is not a method of asking or applying for a job. It is an investment of time and energy in the network-building and information- gathering phase of a complete and thorough search for the job you deserve!
TRADITIONAL vs. NON-TRADITIONAL
Information interviewing differs from job interviewing in these ways:
Employment interviews:
employer seeks you out employer sets up the appointment employer finds out what they need to know
Information interviews:
YOU initiate the contacts YOU seek out the employer YOU ask the questions YOU draw conclusions YOU set up the appointment YOU decide what you need to know YOU conduct the interview
Therefore:
· You gain exposure to the work setting, get a detailed description of a job's responsibilities, learn the vocabulary that pertains to a particular organization or career field, develop interpersonal rapport with someone who might possibly hire you or make a referral and demonstrate your motivation skills and your proactive position.
· If conducting a traditional job search simultaneously, information interviews can be helpful in providing the background needed to prepare for formal employment interviews.
· The information interview provides an opportunity to "tap into the hidden market" ahead of other traditional job seekers. Statistically, the vast majority of job openings (75-80%) are only advertised by word of mouth.
I'M TOO SHY
Before anyone rejects information interviewing by saying, "I'm too shy," realize that most people in the types of jobs you are exploring have personalities similar to yours and would be glad to share what they know. You don't have to be brave or outgoing, just enthusiastic and willing to work. You may find, as many have, that informational interviewing is enjoyable as well as worthwhile!
KNOW THYSELF
Where you should begin in the non-traditional job search depends in part on where you are in the process of life. Socrates said it best, "Know Thyself". This is vitally important if you are to gain satisfying employment. Consideration of these questions will help you to clarify your interests thus, your employment goals.
· What do I like to do? (This may or may not relate to your college major). · Where do I want to live? · What am I doing when I lose track of time? · How much money do I need? (Don't confuse this with how much money you want.) · What do people compliment me on? · What do I want to do and accomplish before I die? · Should I take skill, ability and interest tests? · What are my goals for 1,3,5 and 10 years from now?
RESEARCH
Search for interesting occupations and job titles. Find the employers with more than a surface appeal for you. Identify specific persons with whom you need to talk. The personnel office of an organization may be one place to start. But the director of sales, for example, can tell you more about sales if that is your interest. You can ask everyone if they know of anyone in a job close to your interests, or you may want to explore companies or organizations directly. You will make valuable contacts through: family, friends, co-workers, your boss, fellow students, alumni, professional or service organization members, college department chairs, professors, the Career Services Center staff, or in magazine or newspaper articles about people who are doing the kind of work you want to do.
NECESSARY EQUIPMENT:
1. A notebook small enough to be carried with you at all times.
2. Personal calling cards with just your name, address and phone number on them. When you hand one to a person, they will likely hand you a card in return thus providing both parties a correctly spelled name and address for future correspondence.
3. A record-keeping system to record all the people you talk to, when you talked to them and notes to jog your memory about your conversation.
4. Quality linen paper on which to send "thank you" notes. Send a typed thank you letter to every person with whom you talk.
ARRANGING INTERVIEWS
Use a businesslike approach when calling to set up your interviews. If asked who you are representing, reply that you are representing yourself. You may begin a phone conversation with a possible interviewer,
"Hello, my name is ________. I am considering entering your field of work (or considering looking for a job like yours), but I just do not know enough about it to know for sure. I was wondering if I could make an appointment to talk with you about what you do in your job."
You may wish to walk into the organization and approach a secretary. Explain clearly that you are seeking information about a certain career and ask who would be the best source. Sometimes you will run into a protective secretary who will refuse to let you see the person you want. Always be polite. Proceed to ask the secretary the questions you need answered. Chances are if s/he does not have the answers, you may be referred to the person to whom you wanted to speak in the first place.
CONDUCTING INTERVIEWS
It's necessary to be clear to yourself and others that you are not (at this) point asking for a job. You are looking for information to aid you in decision-making about careers or possible places to look later. Have some questions ready however, and be aware, too, that other questions may arise during the course of the interview. Questions to consider may include:
· How did you get into this field? · What do you like most about it? · What do you like least about it? · What is your typical day like? · What are the responsibilities of your job? · Are these duties the same for everyone with this job title? · What kind of individual (in terms of talent and personality) would be best suited for this kind of job? · What are the prospects for someone entering your field today? · What advice would you give me about applying for and finding a job in this field? · Is there any travel required? · Are there any other sources of information you might suggest? · Whom do you know that I can benefit from talking with? · Where else might I go to find someone doing something similar to what you do? · What kinds of programs/activities does your department engage in? · What kinds of people do you usually deal with? · What seem to be recurring problems for people in the field or your office? · What kind of salary could I expect to make working in the field?
CLOSING THE INTERVIEW
If, in the course of your interview for information, it becomes very evident that you have found the company, department, or even the person for whom you want to work, ask if you can leave your resume in case anything develops (unless, of course, because of what you've learned, you need to first revise your resume). At the same time, ask if it would be all right for you to call back from time to time.
THANK YOU
After you have interviewed someone, send a short letter to thank them for helping you develop a more clear picture of the work you want to do. Such a letter will serve to remind the person of you. This is an appropriate time to provide the potential employer your revised resume, if you are interested in working for their firm. See pages 102-113 for help with writing thank you letters.
THE KEY
The key to this whole process is your enthusiasm. If you are truly interested in learning about a career field, it will show, and the person you are talking with will most often respond positively.
posted by Arjun | 9:40 AM
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