What does an 'Information Interview' do for you? Well, for starters, it enables you to learn about specific organizations or career fields. It will also serve as a “reality check” about what you've already read, heard, and thought. It will also enlarge your circle of “expert” contacts in specific fields and (hopefully) increase your interviewing skills.
Remember that an information interview is NOT the same as applying for a job. There doesn't even have to be a job vacancy for you to have an information interview. The good news is that you don't need to 'sell' yourself to a potential employer. Instead, you will be focusing on gaining accurate, realistic and relevant information about possible jobs or career fields for which you believe you are qualified.
How to begin? First, make a list of persons who share a common interest, academic major, or activity. Look for those who work in a setting that appeals to you - for example, a hospital, airline, or university. Concentrate on those who work in a career area that interests you – such as counseling, market research, or public relations. Finally, look for people who hold specific jobs in the specific organizations that you want to explore .
How do I find these contacts? Ask everyone you know: friends, family, neighbors, former employers, and college or university career counselors. Call community service agencies and professional organizations like the Chamber of Commerce, or the Lyon's Club, and sample their Web sites. Scan the Yellow Pages, newspaper articles, magazines, and journals. Attend meetings of professional associations in your field of career interest. Ask others who know you for their ideas, and don't forget to ask for referrals.
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