The Career Readiness Process

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “70 percent of people end up in their current position thanks to networking.” So, how do you build a professional network? Here are 10 tips. 

1. Remember that you are networking everywhere you go. When talking to anyone you meet or know, you can mention that you are job hunting and talk about the type of position you are hoping to find. If you have business cards, always carry them with you. Otherwise, you can ask for the person’s contact info or to connect on social media whenever you speak with someone.
2. Keep in mind that networking is a reciprocal relationship. When speaking with others, don’t make it all about you. Ask them about their life, too. Networks are relationships just like friendships. Often, your professional network is made up of many friends and acquaintances.
3. Don’t ask for jobs directly. When speaking with others about your job search, you can ask for possible leads or connections to people you’d like to add to your network or you can ask for general advice. A good way to ask for leads is, “I’d love to get to know (so-and-so), would you feel comfortable connecting me?”
4. Volunteer your time. Finding an organization within your professional field of interest is a great way to make connections with people who can eventually hire you or recommend you to others in the field. You can build and demonstrate your skills this way, too; and volunteer positions look great on a resume.
5. Connect with your college instructors, professors and career services staff members. Develop a relationship with these people so that they really know you and what type of job you’re looking to find. Getting a “warm” introduction to someone in your field of interest through one of these college connections carries a lot of weight.
6. Ask for informational interviews. Typically 15-20 minutes in length, these meetings allow you to learn more about how the person secured their current position in the field that interests you and what background and training they have (and what you might need to do). Most people are happy to talk to you about how they moved up the ladder in their careers. You should ask many different people for informational interviews. With each one, you build your network and the person you are interviewing may offer even more contacts for you.
7. Re-connect with former co-workers, vendors or clients. Often when we leave a job, we lose touch with people. Reach out to people you’ve lost touch with and ask to get a cup of coffee to rekindle the relationship. If these people have moved on to other positions and companies, you can help each other by offering connections and referrals.
8. Attend networking events or other professional meet-ups or conferences. People are actively networking at these places. Remember to move around and try to talk with as many people as possible rather than getting into a long conversation with just one person. The goal is to make many new connections so it’s ok to say something like, “I’d love to talk to you more in-depth at another time. May I have your business card?” and then you can move on to meet others at the event. Bring your own business cards to pass out.

9. Keep your LinkedIn page up-to-date. Most everyone uses this social media platform when looking at potential employees or even when deciding whether to speak with you for an informational interview.
10. Set a goal of making a certain number of new contacts per month. One article suggests making 100 new contacts each month! Even when you are working full-time, you want to continue to build your professional network for when you’re looking for that promotion, to move to another company or even to switch career fields entirely.

What is an Informational Interview?

An informational interview is not a job interview. Instead, it is a stress-free way to gather information on an interesting career by connecting with professionals in the field and gaining insight from those conversations. Informational interviews are a great way to build and expand your professional network, learn more about your chosen field, and clarify your career goals.

Finding People to Interview

You may be wondering, “Who can I informationally interview?” First, consider people you may already know: family, friends, classmates, former or current coworkers. If you don’t know anyone in the field be creative.

Here are additional ideas when searching for contacts:

(Remember the worst they can say is no, so don’t be afraid to ask.)

• Faculty members- who may know potential contacts for you to meet with
• Professional organizations- many of which have student members
• Companies/Organizations in your community- send an email, call, stop by and see if someone would be willing to meet with you

Contacting the Person for an Informational Interview

You can do so either by email or phone. Keep in mind most people are busy so you want to keep your email/phone brief and to the point.

You will want to:

• explain who you are, why you are contacting them and how you found their name
• give a brief description of your work/education history
• why you’re interested in speaking with him/her
• request a 20-30 minute meeting to get information and advice
• make sure your correspondence is error-free

Preparing for Your Meeting

It’s important that you arrive prepared and professional. Below are some tips to help get you ready.

• Research the individual – you can do so through LinkedIn or their organization’s website.
• Prepare a written list of questions in advance
• Keep in mind your goal for the meeting is to get information and advice you can’t find online. Being well-informed about the person and his/her field shows respect. You don’t want to waste either of your time.

Questions for Your Informational Interview

Job Content

• Could you describe a typical workday or week?
• What part of your job do you find most satisfying/challenging?
• What abilities or personal qualities do you believe contribute most to success in this job?

Career Path

• What is the typical career path for this field?
• What steps did you take to get your job?
• Can you tell me about entry-level opportunities in this field?

Preparation

• What advice would you give to someone who’s interested in starting out in this field?
• Do you have any special words of warning or encouragement as a result of your experience?
• Are there any professional associations I should join?
• Are there any job-hunting strategies that you would suggest to enter this field?

Next Steps

• Is there anyone else you can recommend I speak with for additional information?
• Would you mind if I sent you my resume to review?

The Meeting

• Restate your objective and give a brief overview of yourself (education and work)
• Dress for success- you always want to look and act professional. You never know if they could be a potential employer or refer you for a position.
• Arrive on time
• Show interest and enthusiasm
• Bring a resume, but present only if asked
• Keep track of the time
• Take notes
• Before leaving ask for a business card and ask if they can refer you to anyone else for you to speak with.

Steps after the Interview

• Write a thank you note/email within 24 hours – express your appreciation for the information you received and mention one or two points that you learned
• Try to stay in touch with your contacts every few months by sending a friendly email. Remember these contacts could help you with employment.

• How to Make a Perfect LinkedIn Profile as a College Student
• How to Get Started on LinkedIn (video)

10 Tips for Your Next Interview

1. Do your Research Prior to going to the interview, it is best to know as much as you can about the company. Research the mission, culture, future trends, clients and current company news by reading all pages of the company website as well as Googling the company name. Keep abreast of current news in the industry.
2. Mock Interview Participate in a Mock Interview with a Center for Career Development Counselor to practice discussing your strengths, weaknesses, goals, accomplishments, relevant experiences, questions, and verbal/non-verbal language. Record your mock interview on your phone to review and evaluate.
3. Dress Professionally Wear professional attire appropriate to the field (business suits for corporate companies; dress shirt/pants or a simple, conservative dress for more casual settings) and be sure you are neat, clean and professional in appearance. Be conservative with make-up, jewelry, and fragrance--less is more.
4. Be on Time Always arrive 15 minutes prior to the interview. Consider a trial-run to the company if you are unfamiliar with the location so you can time out travel and parking.
5. Organize your Thoughts Practice ahead of time; your answers should be like a pitch…concise and complete.
6. Be Specific Tell the interviewer how you can contribute to the company and give concrete examples. Prepare a few ‘stories’ ahead of time. These should describe your skills and how you’ve used them in the past to fulfill needs similar to those of the employer.
7. Connect to the Employers Listen carefully to the questions being asked of you. Sell and match your skills and strengths with the needs of the employers.
8. Ask Questions Prove that you have done your research and reflect your knowledge of the field and interest in the position. Craft at least 3 questions ahead of time that you may want to ask.
9. Send a “Thank You” Note Make sure to send either a separate email or hand-written ‘thank you’ note to all individuals with whom you interviewed. Ask for business cards before you leave the interview for correct name spellings and position titles of interviewers.
10. Reflect on and Evaluate your Experience Think about what happened during the interview and ask yourself…“is this a place I would enjoy working?”...“are the job responsibilities a good match with my strengths?”…“is there opportunity to learn and grow?”.

Prepare for the Interview

Before the Interview

• Be prepared to talk about yourself. Identify your skills, interests, goals, and values. Assess your strengths and be able to back them up with examples.
• Research the organization – you should know size, locations, services and products.
• Prepare a few good questions for the interviewer. Avoid asking about salary and benefits during the first interview.
• Review your resume and a list of your positive qualities just before the interview. Take extra copies of your resume.

During the Interview

• Arriving a few minutes early will give you a chance to gain composure during the interview.
• Remember that enthusiasm is a very desirable trait to verbally and non-verbally express yourself.
• Take time to listen to the interviewer’s questions in order to give an appropriate response.
• Maintain good eye contact with the interviewer – try to be relaxed and confident. Remember that you are looking for a good match. Do you like what you are hearing from the interviewer?
• As the interview ends, reiterate your interest in the position – ask what the next steps would be, and when you can expect to hear. Make sure to get the interviewer’s business card.

After the Interview

• Send a “thank you” note to the interviewer either by email or a handwritten or typed note by mail. If you interviewed with several people, send a “thank you” note to each interviewer separately.
• Be sure to provide any requested information (transcripts, references) as soon as possible.
• Follow up with the interviewer by phone within five days if you have not been notified of a decision.

Interview Questions

Common Questions Interviewers Ask

• Can you tell me a little about yourself?
• What made you choose  as a major?
• What are you looking for in an internship/job?
• What makes you an ideal candidate for this position?
• What do you know about our company?
• Do your grades reflect your abilities?
• In what ways do you expect to make a contribution to this organization?
• What do you want to learn in this position?
• What are some of your strengths?
• Can you tell me about an area you may need to improve on?
• What do you consider your greatest achievement thus far (academic or personal)?
• Where do you hope to see yourself in five years?
• What are your long-term goals and how would working for our organization help you to achieve those goals?
• What adjectives would you use to describe yourself?
• How would a former supervisor describe your work ethic?
• What do you expect from a supervisor?
• How do you take initiative? Set priorities and goals? Manage your time?
• What have you learned from your involvement in extracurricular activities?
• What experience have you had with public speaking? Statistics? Writing professional reports?
• What steps do you take to stay knowledgeable in your field?

Common Behavioral Questions

Can you tell me about a time when you…

• demonstrated strong teamwork?
• exercised leadership skills?
• handled a difficult customer or client?
• made an important decision?
• worked under pressure and completed the assignments?
• had to juggle several things at once? How did you manage the multiple demands and what was the result?
• overcame a major obstacle?
• managed a project, from beginning to end?
• took initiative to improve a challenging situation?
• went above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done?
• were in a situation in which you thought you could handle alone, and soon realized you took on more than you could handle. What did you do?
• had to handle a problem that arose and your manager was unavailable. What was the nature of the problem? (What was the outcome?)

Critical Thinking Questions

• How many tennis balls would it take to fill up this room?
• Estimate how many windows are in New York City.
• Two U.S. coins add up to thirty cents and one is not a nickel. What are the two coins?
• How many times a day does a clock’s hands overlap?

Questions to Ask the Interviewer

• What are you looking for in an ideal candidate for this position?
• What are your expectations for this position?
• How would you describe the culture of the organization?
• What type of training would I receive if hired?
• What do you like best about the company?
• What has been your most rewarding experience while working for the company?
• What is the next step in the interview process?
• What do you consider the major challenges facing the industry today?
• What are the prospects for growth and advancement?

Questions to Ask Yourself After the Interview

• Describe the employees you met. Did they seem energetic, efficient, and organized? Or did they appear unenthusiastic?
• Did your interviewer(s) answer your questions in a direct and positive manner?
• Do you see yourself working for the company five years from now?
• Is the salary scale competitive?
• Do the job and the company fit in with your lifestyle?

Closing and Follow-Up

The closing of the interview is just as important as the initial greeting. You want to express your interest in the company and find out what the next steps of the hiring process may be. Following up by way of a ‘Thank you note’ is necessary. Consider the following points for further follow-up…

• Alert Your References If you have not done so already, let your references know that they may be contacted soon by a potential employer.
• Don’t Stop Your Search Although you feel confident you may receive an offer for the position, do continue to apply to and interview with other companies in order to find additional opportunities.
• Follow-Up Phone Call: Follow up with a phone call if you have not heard back from the employer(s) within a reasonable time (five to seven days). Make sure to continue to reiterate your enthusiasm and market your strengths for the position during the call.
• Be Patient Relax; the hiring process oftentimes takes longer than the employer anticipates.
• Never Burn Bridges Even if you find out you did not get the position, try and turn the situation into a positive one. Consider bringing the interviewer into your network, and ask for feedback, as well as possibly asking for referrals for other contacts.
• Committing to a Job Offer Carefully consider an offer before you accept. Once an offer has been accepted, you are expected to fulfill the commitment and properly decline other offers. For more information about accepting, denying, delaying, or negotiating an offer, please contact a Center for Career Development Counselor. 

Thank You Letter

By sending a thank you letter, you show your interviewer common courtesy and respect and gives you a chance to stand out to employers. At the very least, a thank you letter puts your name in front of an interviewer one more time. Send thank you letter within 24-48 hours of the interview.

A thank you letter…

• gives you an opportunity to reiterate your strengths for the position.
• allows you to make points you might have missed in your interview.
• demonstrates your written communication skills.

Contact your campus Career Services staff for additional interviewing support/questions.

Dress to Achieve

The way you dress can make the difference in getting the job, being offered additional opportunities, and in getting ahead once you land your first job.

Remember, an interview is a formal situation, so it’s important to be aware of the details of your appearance. Keep the color of your clothing muted and understated. The focus should be on YOU—not your clothes.

The idea here is to avoid anything that could distract the interviewer. A clean, neat, and professional appearance is an important step in making a good first impression.

Maintaining your hygiene for an interview is very important.

Adapted from SYMS ‘Dress to Achieve’

Professional Attire Guidelines

• Neutral and Solid Colors (grey, brown, tan, navy, dark green, burgundy or black)
• Small patterns are OK (dots or small stripes or small checks)
• Closed-toe, dress shoes
• Match your belt to your shoes
• Neat hair and clean fingernails
• Minimal jewelry
• Minimal perfume or cologne
• Carry a portfolio with extra resumes and a notepad

What to Avoid

• Bright, distracting colors or patterns and low-cut blouses
• Dirty scuffed shoes
• Sneakers
• Chewing gum, smoking cigarettes, and overkill of fragrance
• Backpacks, sunglasses, and noisy or overpowering jewelry
• Hats or headphones
• Clothing with words or graphics

Purpose of a Reference

Employers will ask for you for typically three professional references. The reason for this is to verify that what you said about yourself in the application and interview is accurate. They also want to hear from a professional that you have worked for or with, how you are as an employee. A reference check also helps employers narrow down top candidates. 

Identifying and Securing a Reference

• Step 1: Identify who will speak best about your strengths in relation to the specific job you have applied for.
• Step 2: Be sure this is a professional reference which could include a supervisor, former employer, faculty member, or college personnel who were an advisor or you have worked closely with. The key is picking references who have observed you acting in a productive capacity where you displayed your skills and credentials for employment.
• Step 3: Provide your reference updates as you job search. This would include letting them know what kinds of jobs you have applied for, providing a job description of what you have applied for, when they might start hearing from the employer, and giving them a current copy of your resume.
• Step 4: Be sure to formally thank your references either through email or handwritten. Remember, they are taking the time to speak on your behalf. Also, keep them in the loop as to whether you were hired.

Write a thank you note/email within 24 hours – express your appreciation for the information you received and mention one or two points that you learned.

Try to stay in touch with your contacts by sending a friendly email every few months. Remember that these contacts could help you with employment.

Find upcoming Career Services events on your campus.

Use these tools and websites to begin or continue your job search.

• Indeed
• Ladders
• LinkedIn
• USA Jobs

Find your campus Career Services department.