Planning Your Career Part 2:

Making Connections

Emily KolmFulbright Scholar

What is an Informational Interview?

To know the road ahead, ask those coming back.-Chinese Proverb

Why do you need an Informational Interview?

Where and how can you get an Informational Interview?

• Start with friends and family• Alumni from your school• Professors• Introduction by a mutual

acquaintance• LinkedIn/Social Media• Internet Research

The Key Question

Ask What You Can Do For an Organization!

Ask Not What An Organization Can Do For You…

Useful Questions

• What is a typical day/week/month like?

• What are the greatest challenges and rewards?

• What kind of work/internship experience do you look for?

• What advice would you give to your younger self if you could go back in time?

Can you think of other questions to ask?

Etiquette for the Informational Interview

How is an information interview different from a job interview?

• Request for an Information Interview

• Prepare

• Dress appropriately

• Describe Yourself

• Amount of time

• Take notes!

• Follow-Up

Brainstorm!

Think of:

5 organizations 5 associations5 individuals 5 websites5 newspapers

Why would like to connect with them?

I want to be a designer!

Why Keep a List of Contacts?

He’s got them on the listAnd then none of them be missed..

-Gilbert and Sullivan, The Mikado

The Contact List

What Information Should You Include?

Let’s answer this question NameTitleIndustryEmail Phone …. Here you know best!

Applying For Jobs Is Like Dating

Does she like to do what I like to

do? Are we compatible?

Do I like him? Will I

like his friends and

family?

What is the Main Purpose of a Resume?

• Maybe we can add a few bullets answering this question?

When writing your Resume:

• Be specific

• Think about your reader

• Always Accompany CV with a Cover Letter!

More About RESUMES

Is this your Resume?

Resume Headings

Maybe we can use a resume which is more clear and label it’s parts like this one?

Resume Flow Chart

W

• 12 point font in Times New Roman

• NO personal pronouns

• Active Verbs!

What Should (And Should Not) Be On A Resume

• 12 point font in Times New Roman

• Font Consistency

• Plain white paper

• In most cases, chronological

• Accurate and credible

• NO personal pronouns (not personal)

• NO grammatical errors

• Active Verbs!

Objective Summary

• Job Title that you hope to obtain

• Industry in which you hope to be employed

• Skills that you have to offer relevant to the position

Objective Summary• Job Title (either very specific or more general)

that you hope to obtain

• Industry in which you hope to be employed

• Skills that you have to offer relevant to the position

Objective: To secure an Account Management position in a bank, where I can become a member of a team and utilize my communication skills, my previous experience as a customer service representative, as well as my Banking and Finance Degree to the fullest.

Objective Summary

Objective: To secure a teaching position in a private school where I can become a member of a great team and utilize my previous experience as a language trainer, as well as my communication skills and my Teaching Degree to the fullest.

Resume Formatting and Critiques

Go Make Some Connections!

www.adastragroup.org

www.career-for.me