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INFORMATION INTERVIEWYOUR WAY TO A JOB
Presentation for The Life After Westernu Career ConferenceJanuary 21, 2017 Jeff Watson
ABOUT ME, JEFF WATSON Associate Director, Employer Relations with The
Student Success Centre Helps Employers recruit and hire extraordinary
talent Services include: Job Postings, Fairs, Employer
Information Sessions, Interviews and thepromotion of internship, co-op and practicum opportunities
Served 9 years as a Recruiting, Hiring and Training Manager
VP Public Relations for Toastmasters International, 8 year Member, ACS, ALB
Active CrossFitter
Tactic 2.Ask
Intentional Questions
Tactic 3.Deliver
professional follow-up
that advances the relationship
Tactic 1.Source
Employers
Information Interviewing involves going to a professional with a company you would like to work for and asking intentional questions
Content inspired by: The Student Success Centre and The 2 hour Job Search, by Steve Dalton.
This job search strategy includes these tactics:
INFORMATION INTERVIEWING
Get Insider Information on hiring, training & development, core values, future projects
This intel informs your research preparation & application
You are in control No high stakes at play Puts your face to a future
resume Differentiates you from the
competition You could get a Job!
tWHAT’S IN IT
FOR ME?
Search contacts by company, industry and many other fields
Mine contacts by industry specific LinkedIn groups
Utilize the alumni function
Tactic 1.Source Your Employers
Leverage the network of Western alumni sourced specifically to talk to you.
Go to tenthousandcoffees.com
Students: sign up with your @uwo.ca email;
Send, receive and schedule coffee chats
Meet in-person or online with alumni and students
WHAT DO YOU SAY?
1 Contact the person by telephone or email
2 Mention how you got their name.
3 Emphasize you are looking for information NOT a job
4 Ask for a convenient time to have a 20-30 minute appointment.
?
Tactic 2.Ask Intentional QuestionsDevelop a one minute overview to define
the context of the meeting Thank them for meeting with you Build on key points from your original
meeting request Acknowledge who you are and why
you arranged the meeting Your overview should include a
condensed elevator pitch including your name, interest in the company, education and relevant professional experience
Ask your pre-selected questions
THEORY OF RECIPROCITY People should repay, in kind, what another person has provided for them.
Since you are taking an interest in them by asking questions, they will do the same.
Have soundbytes ready, elaborate on your training, skillsets, experiences and education
Share relevant and short success stories Demonstrate your ability to actively listen.
Build off points they give in their responses
ASK PAIN POINT QUESTIONS
What are the challenging components of your job?
What do you wish your company could do better?
What experience do you look for in candidates that you find difficult to get?
What qualities or characteristics does an individual need to thrive in this field?
What contract or internship opportunities exist at your organization?
These questions provoke responses revealing areas of need, opportunity, growth, frustration and truth.
”““It sounds like your company struggles
finding candidates who can translate complex technical information to end users. I provided technical service to
customers with Rogers as a member of their telephone support team that I believe would be relevant to your
needs and the needs of your customers.”
ASK PAIN POINT QUESTIONS
They are great for follow-up purposes They demonstrate you were listening by
repeating the pain point and then positioning yourself as the solution.
When you effectively follow up on a pain point question, you show the contact how you can add value which helps them visualize you working for their company
This makes you relevant and memorable
These questions provoke responses revealing areas of need, opportunity, growth, frustration and truth.
1 Send a Thank you Email– 24 hrs after2 Provide Progress Updates - MonthlyInform your contact where you are in yourstudies/training/job searchReference advice they gave you and describe your follow-throughTry to add value to them. Refer clients to their business, suggest industry conferences they might be interested in, identify Linked In groups they may want to join.
Tactic 3.Deliver Professional Follow-up that advances the relationship
Apply for Positions with the Company referencing your information interview
Inform your contact that you applied for a position with their company
Lean on your contact’s name in your cover letter or email related to the application
Bring up the Pain Points you heard from the information interview and position yourself as the solution
Tactic 2.Ask
Intentional Questions
Tactic 3.Deliver
professional follow-up
that advances the relationship
Tactic 1.Source
Employers
Start information interviewing your way to a job today!
This job search strategy includes these tactics:
Information Interviewing involves going to a professional with a company you would like to work for and asking intentional questions
Contact
Jeff WatsonAssociate Director, Employer RelationsThe Student Success Centre – The Student Experience
Email: jwatso72@uwo.caLinkedIn: Jeff WatsonTwitter: @jeffwatson99www.toastmasters.org
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