Informational Interviews are a Form of Networking

Informational Interviews are a Form of Networking People have asked me why I dont talk about informational interviews in my networking workshops.   The answer is that informational interviews ARE a form of networking. An informational interview, an informational meeting is a better term, means talking with someone about what they do and/or what their company does to learn and get questions answered. What Is The Purpose of Informational Interviews? An informational interview aka networking is simply having conversations with people. As a job seeker, networking becomes defined as looking for a job. It is absolutely more than this. Are people really willing to take time to speak with you about this?   It depends. There has to be a good reason or they have to see value in investing time meeting with someone. A classic sales term is WIIFM.   What is in it for me.   What will someone get in return? When you are asking for an informational meeting, what is in it for them? How will they benefit from talking to you about what they do? These are some of the reasons someone would be willing to talk to you: A boost to their ego Makes them feel like they have done something helpful It is a payback or favor to a friend Sourcing for future hiring needs How To Ask For An Informational Meeting How you ask for the meeting is key. Using the right language/words/tone of voice makes all the difference in securing the meeting. Here are some tips: Use the Referral Source Early You can request an informational meeting either in person, through email or by phone. It doesnt matter how you ask the person for the meeting. What does matter is mentioning the name of the person who referred you (recommended you speak to them) early in your message. Mentioning a referral source, someone you both know, makes it feel less risky. Keep in mind, a little honest flattery is helpful. I was speaking with Sarah Doe and she highly recommended that I speak with you about _______________ (occupation or company name).   Sarah says you are extremely knowledgeable and would be helpful in my quest for information in this area. State the Purpose of Your Meeting Once youve proven youre not a dangerous stalker, you can clarify what information you are looking for. (You are not looking for a jobyet. You are trying to see if your skills and experience will fit into that organization.) I would enjoy meeting with you to discuss what you feel are the most valuable assets of people in your field. or Based on your tenure in the field of [industry/occupation], I was hoping to learn from you some of the day-to-day challenges you face and how you stay current? Be Prepared to Handle Objections Sometimes the response you get isnt really a rejection. Be prepared to handle any of these responses: Im really busy Im not the right person If you are looking for a job, talk to HR We arent hiring right now None of these responses really mean no. Dont give up. How To Respond To An Objection If they say they are busy, ask when they will have more time to meet either before or after work. They are the right person because you were referred to them. Reinforce that their experience in the organization makes them exactly the right person. They understand how the organization works and thats important. If they direct you to talk to HR or say that their company isnt hiring, then your request probably included the fact that you are looking for a job. Move forward and say something like: While I am exploring new opportunities, Im more interested in learning about your organization and your experience working for them. Would you have just 30 minutes to meet?   If you receive an answer other than yes, it means that the person doesnt feel like it is safe or worth their time. Flattery will get you everywhere, try feeding them some.   Also, remind them of who referred you. A little bit of guilt can be a wonderful leverager. Is There A Hidden Agenda? Honestly, there isnt a hidden agenda. Your purpose for the meeting is to gather information. You do not know yet whether you would want to work for that organization. Thats why you want a meeting to learn more! Your conversation may or may not lead to your wanting anything more from them. And you never know. You may find you have things in common with the person you meet with and this conversation could result in a new friendship. Confirming The Informational Interview When you do land a meeting, remember to verify the time and location and send a reminder the day before. And provide the person with your mobile phone number just in case. The Format of The Meeting You have asked for the meeting so you determine the agenda. Arrive early and be prepared! Here is the agenda for an informational meeting and more tips to make your networking meetings more successful. Always Send A Thank You Message After informational interviews, you should always send a thank you message. Email or regular mail is fine. What you say in your message is more important. Heres what to include: Thank them for their time Explain why what you learned was helpful State what your next steps will be (the take-away from the meeting) Set the expectation you will follow up You should also follow up with the person who referred you to let them know how the conversation went.

Do You Take No Personally in Your Job Search - Hire Imaging

Do You Take “No” Personally in Your Job Search - Hire Imaging Even in the best of job markets, job seekers hear “no” more often than they hear “yes”. The preceding questions to these responses will vary of course. The job seeker might ask, “Do you have 15 minutes to chat?” or “Will you please take a look at my resume?” Each “no” can be chalk on a blackboard. Job seekers, who are struggling with transitional grieving, a hit to self-esteem, fear, or other issues, often perceive any “no” as more rejection. If you are trying to make a great impression in your job search, there’s a mantra to remember and internalize that will serve you well. Don’t take “no” personally I’ve worked with many clients who are in sales â€" newbie to c-level. And they agree that the sales profession entails hearing “no” or variations like “not yet” more than once (probably many times) before you hear a “yes”. Talented sales professionals know that rejection and denial are often stages in a process. What’s really tough for job seekers is that it’s not the widget product being promoted. It’s not the servicing of widgets being sold. It’s about you, the job seeker. What value proposition you offer, and why you are the better choice. When you put yourself out there and hear “I’m too busy to speak with you,” or “No, you don’t meet our criteria,” well, ouch. Most of my clients work with me on a strategic job-search program that involves introspection, exploration, targeted research, strategy and action. And it’s always interesting how easy it is for these smart, prepared and generally positive people to unravel a carefully developed and orchestrated search, because of a “no”. They will talk about taking a position clearly previously defined by them as not desirable. They will propose overhaul of communications that powerfully convey their focus, brand and success stories. Sometimes this doubt (even melt-down) comes after just one or two rejections. Sometimes there’s a wave of “nos”. Often the toughest “no” is silence. You do not hear anything. A recruiter did not get back in touch (there’s nothing for you right now in his pipeline). A hiring decision-maker didn’t get back to you (he had fires to put out at work with a major reorganization initiative). Your ace-in-the-hole networking contact at ABC Company hasn’t returned your emails (her kids have the flu, and she’s been trying to work from home). Think statistics. In a job search, statistically you’re going to hear “no” often. Remember my sales clients’ perspectives? An old sales adage  reflects the statistics. Expect 90 “nos” for every single “yes”. Of course, life’s not that clear. You may have a few more; a few less. You may be the one who lands that next and great fit immediately. The point is, it’s not atypical; and it’s not reason to abandon ship or course. The truth is, that most of the time, it’s not about you at all. If it is, you will get the message, because you’ll hear it from more than one person. If you’re interviewing poorly, lack qualifications for the jobs you’re targeting, are not following through; you’ll see a pattern. If you ask for feedback, take heed and take action, what is personal can be addressed. It’s certainly always good to ask, “What’s working and not working?” That’s a different post. Photo: sboneham

Career Corner How to Set Up Informational Interviews An important career tool to use during a recession - Hallie Crawford

Career Corner How to Set Up Informational Interviews An important career tool to use during a recession Thinking that youd like to set up an informational interview in your chosen field? Good for you! An informational interview is not like a typical interview; in this case, there is no want ad to answer and no open position to fill. Its simply a way to make contact with someone who works at a company that interests you. Its a method of getting your name out there while learning more about careers in your industry. If youre young and just starting out in your career, I highly recommend taking the initiative and seeking out an informational interview as a stepping stone to a great career doing something you really love. Youd be surprised how many young career seekers dont bother to set something like this up, and miss some really terrific opportunities because of it. How to get the informational interview ball rolling: Begin by speaking to someone in your social circle who already has a foot in the door. Also scan online for companies that appeal to you, and then ask if you can schedule an informational interview with someone in their office. You might even ask for an interview with a family member who works in a position or with a company that appeals to you. Prepare in advance. The very first thing you should do before this or any type of interview is update your resume. Include all of those resume basics, like your career objective, college degree, computer proficiencies, and especially any experience you may already have, including unpaid internships, temp jobs and so forth. If you need extra help with this, I suggest hiring a professional resume writer. Leave it to the pros to brush up your resume for you. You can find resume writers I recommend here. Make initial contact. When you feel ready to make contact, try sending an email first so theyre not caught off guard by a random phone call. If you cant locate their email address, then the call is okay. Present yourself professionally; tell them something like, My name is so-and-so and Im interested in learning more about (X type of) careers at your firm. Id love it if we could set up a time to talk. Of course, it helps to draft a couple of practice emails or do a few test-runs of your phone message before sending it out there. Heres to having a career you love!Career Coach P.S. I was recently interviewed for The Wall Street Journal by Jonnelle Marte. Her article was titled Whered My Job Go? Check it out here

The Definitive Guide to How Can Teacher Writing Resume

The Definitive Guide to How Can Teacher Writing Resume How Can Teacher Writing Resume - Is it a Scam? Don't forget to list off your education, all your achievements, and all your qualifications for the job in your teacher resume. Making a resume for an education job is definitely something which isn't straightforward but you'll need to get through it so that you'll have the ability to turn into an employed teacher. When you compose a resume for a particular job, make sure you cater it to that job. All industrial art jobs out there. Though, when you have not gotten a job for a teacher, you need to submit an application for the job with a teacher resume. You didn't choose to be a teacher since you wished to turn into rich, you did it as you have passion for education. Not certain how to compose your teacher resume. Turning into a teacher is undoubtedly a very important thing for one to do, as it will enable you to achieve out to people and teach them important things they will have to have in life. The Benefits of How Can Teacher Writing Resume In the majority of instances a resume objective is simply a couple of sentences long. 20 real examples will explain to you how to describe your experience and compose a professional resume. An objective is a brief statement that clarifies your goals about the sort of employment desired and the way in which your skills make you a nice fit. The resume objective is among the most crucial paragraphs in a teacher's resumeif not the most significant. The Hidden Truth Abou t How Can Teacher Writing Resume There best several forms of application letters which range from school application to job application. The procedure for requesting a job include submitting two unique forms of documents. If you don't get a response within a couple of weeks, you might want to follow up on your application for a teaching position. Most teachers should list all their certifications, or any time they anticipate receiving them. Just take a look at the favored qualifications of the roles you're applying for and see how you examine. You might present fantastic ideas concerning the provider. Teachers in business for a very long time should set the education section below the work experience section. The competition can be difficult! Ruthless How Can Teacher Writing Resume Strategies Exploited A Teacher Assistant needs to be committed to the learning practice. Writing an education resume for 2018 differs from prior decades. Writing a teacher resume template can be rather challenging. To start with, you want to ensure that your resume is distinctive and individual.

How to Deal with a Controlling Boss or Micro-manager - Work It Daily

How to Deal with a Controlling Boss or Micro-manager - Work It Daily Webinar Information Date: September 20, 2011 Time: 1:00 PM ET Duration: 1 hour Host: J.T. O'Donnell Guest: Anthony J. Fasano Cost: FREE Host Information Jeanine Tanner “J.T.” O’Donnell, founder of CAREEREALISM.com and CareerHMO.com, is a career strategist and workplace consultant who helps American workers of all ages find greater professional satisfaction. Read Full Bio » Guest Information Anthony Fasano, AKA Your Professional Partner, CEO and founder of Powerful Purpose Associates and author of Engineer Your Own Success is a nationally recognized professional coach, author and inspirational speaker specializing in the areas of career growth and development as well as leadership. Read Full Bio » This event has already occurred. Please use the red link below to watch the recording of this webinar. Many bosses or supervisors tend to micro-manage and fail to relinquish many responsibilities to their team. This can be extremely detrimental to the growth and development of the team members. Often times professionals who work for a micro-manager become stagnant because they are not given enough opportunities to grow. If you work for a micro-manager, you must do your best to continue to find new opportunities and responsibilities and continue to grow. In this segment, Career Coach and Bestselling Author, Anthony J. Fasano will work with CAREEREALISM.com Founder, J.T. O'Donnell to give recommendations for how to deal with a controlling boss, avoid stagnation and continue to grow in your career. They'll answer questions like: Why is this so detrimental to your career? What are some ways professionals can stay motivated and continue to grow in this situation? Is there a time where it may be better off to leave your job than stay and work under a controlling supervisor? As we grow in our careers how do we ensure we are not micro-managers? This event has already happened. You must have a Freemium Membership to CareerHMO.com to watch the recording of this presentation. Click here » to set up your FREE account now and watch this webinar! Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!

Should You Tell Your Boss You Hate Your Job - TheJobNetwork

Should You Tell Your Boss You Hate Your Job - TheJobNetworkYou hate your job.You can barely force yourself to get out of bed in the morning to go to work. Youve schwefellost your passion almost completely. Your work conditions are appalling. And maybe youre not alone maybe your co-workers are equally miserable and this company is totally unredeemable. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) You want to share how youre feeling with your boss, if only because shell have wanted to have the chance to make things better for youat least to try and convince you to stay. But youre worried youll get a reputation with the higher-ups as a disgruntled employee and then, even if you do get that raise or title bump, youll still be miserable at work.You hate your job so should you confront your boss or just conduct a quiet job search and sneak out without making a fuss?Can Your Boss Fix Things?The first thing to consider is whether there are any improvements t o your current position or conditions that could convince you to stay. Would you be happier there if you were actually making fair pay for the work you do? Or if you negotiated some other adjustment to your work load that made your job mora fulfilling? Before you decide to talk to your boss first, make koranvers you know how just high your bar is set for staying. And then be clear that you cant stick around for anything less.Is Your Mind Already Made Up?But no matter how kind and conscientious your boss is, you dont owe her anything. Its still well within your rights to quietly get another job, and then give appropriate notice. Its up to you to decide what you really want. If the answer is that youre just done and want out? Dont bother dragging your well-meaning (and probably powerless) supervisor into a decision process wherein your outcome is already decided.Make a graceful exit, dont burn any bridges, and make sure you dont fall into the same trap in your next position. Ask for w hat you deserve

16 Things We Wish Daycare Teachers Would Get Off Our Case About

16 Things We Wish Daycare Teachers Would Get Off Our Case About First things first Daycare teachers perform a vitally important joboften for far too little pay. Working moms know just what a tremendous debt we owe them, since we wouldnt be able to do ur jobs without them. So, to daycare teachers everywhere Thank you for all you do to keep ur kids safe, healthy and happy. We love you, we need you, we worship you.But sometimes Im not so sure some if my childs teachers reciprocate the warm and fuzzy feelings. In my experience, being a working mom means juggling a 1000000 balls at onceand getting lots of side eye from some of my kids teachers when inevitably one of those balls drop.If youre a working mom who sends your kid to daycare and has ever fudged or forgotten a rule, you know the tone Im talking about the one that implies youve prioritized work over your precious child, youre a terrible mother and your kid is going to end up in juvie one day.Logically, I know thats not what my tyk es teacher is thinking, but mom guilt is strong stuff. So, daycare teachers, do us working moms a solid When one of these dicke bretter bohren mssens below arise, treat us with compassion and understanding. Were doing the best we can, just like you.1. Sending our kid to school with a sniffle.We promise were not trying to infect the entire class. Were just out of paid time off for the year, and wed like to keep our job. If its a fever or something serious, well keep him homeso can you let a cough or two slide?2. Same goes for loose poops.Heres a fun fact I learned the hard way When a young kid gets diarrhea, it can totally wreck her intestinal lining, which means loose poops can last for weeksweeksafter the kid is actually contagious. No working parent I know can miss work for weeks, alas. If our pediatrician says our kid is OK to go back to school, can you just trust us?3. Forgoing regular haircuts.We know how obvious it is that we havent taken our bub to the barber in weeks, er, mo nths. The thing about hair, though, is that it doesnt matter if its longer than other kids, like, at all. He might not pass for a mini GQ model with that mop, but you dont need to mention his unkempt do if its not bugging the child sporting it.4. Long nails.If our kid is perpetually slicing and dicing up his classmates, by all means, say something. But if we were on a work trip last week and theyre just a smidge long, let it go until were back to our regularly scheduled manicure program, please.5. Not enough tummy time.Some babies just hate tummy time. No, we dont keep our infant locked away in a cradle in the closet all weekend long.6.Bug bites and sunburns.Have you seen the prehistoric beasts roaming the skies these days? Theres no amount of organic bug spray that can take those blood-suckers down. And as for my tots rosy cheeks, mea culpa, I forgot sunscreen for 10 minutes. Yes, I am clearly trying to kill him.7.Seasonally inappropriate clothing.When we left the house, it was war m and sunny. Now, its snowing. Mother nature is a fickle bitch, and it turns out I cant fit my childs entire wardrobe in my work bag.8. Potty-training problems.Do you think I like wiping my kids butt? Id make a deal with the devil to get him out of diapers. Alas, the devil hasnt yet offered, so until then, I swear to continue to work on it. No reminders needed, I assure you.9.Not packing healthy snacks.We dontfeed our kids chocolate cake every day, but when the pantry is empty, were running late or theyre on a veggie strike (again), desperate times call for desperate measures. Theyll live.10.Not packing enough breastmilk.Breast-pumping is pretty much the worst, but we dutifully ditch meetings, hook ourselves up like a cow in a musty closet, and eke out just enough liquid gold to keep our kid fed. Then he hits a growth spurt, and our pumping plan goes to hell. Were trying. Were trying SO hard. And our hormones are mucksmuschenstill a bit haywire. Please be kind to us.11.Arriving righ t before pick-up time.Lets make a deal Well do our best to pick our kid up before closing timeeven on days when our commute is a living nightmareif youll refrain from rolling your eyes when we run in at 559.12.Lackluster fundraising.Look, we passed around the magazine sign-up and sent emails about the raffle tickets and tried to get Grandma to buy the sheets. We simply dont have time to be the classs top-earner. Can we just cut a check?13.Biting and hitting.We know its an issue, and were happy to work with you to resolve it in any way we can. But just remember we already feel agony that our kid is the problem child a neutral, no-nonsense, judgment-free approach is greatly appreciated.14.Not being able to attend the mid-week, mid-day event.Yes, the field trip to the farmers market looks super fun, and wed love to join. But we have to save our time off for all of the holidays when the center is closed.15.Not calling to check up.I had no idea I was supposed to ring in the middle of the day to make sure the kid is OK Silly me, I thought he was fine in the hands of capable pros.16. Not answeringwhen daycare calls during work.Sometimes were in a meeting, or on a plane, or savoring a moment of much-needed peace in the restroom. And sometimesDad is the primary contact. Were not ignoring you, we promise, and well call you back as soon as we can. No need to give us grief when we do.This article originally appeared on Working Mother.WorkingMother is amentor, role model,and advocate for the countrys more than 17 million moms who are devoted to their families and committed to their careers. Through our website,magazine, research, radio and powerful events,WorkingMotherprovides its readers with the community, solutions,and strategies they need to thrive.