how to do a profesional "informational interview" ?

Email Cell Twitter [email protected] 604.506.6108 @alitavana S.U.C.C.E.S.S

Informational Interview

Why and how to do I.I. to find a job?

Ali Tavanayan Director of TEI Web Solutions Sep. 11th, 2015


Usually 1 in 15 got a job by

Informational Interview


Agenda

3:00 – 3:45 Why “I.I” ? 3:45 – 4:40 How “I.I” ? 4:40 – 4:55 Q & A


You don’t need to take notes!

OAvailable on SlideShare.net

Search for “Informational Interview – Ali Tavana ”

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My Background O Ali Tavanayan-far, Director of TEI Inc. O Senior Web Development Project Manager O PMP, MCSE, A+, e-commerce O Running TEI Web Solutions. since 2002 O Software Engineering background O Founder of Vancouver “Joomla” , “Magento”, & “Symfony” User Groups

(meetup.com) O Speaker in “Web Not War”, Microsoft 2011 – 2011 O Developing extensions for Open Source Platform, SharePoint, and DNN O Bridge application development for Win App & Web sites O Lived in London & North Vancouver since 2001


Why listen to me?


It’s all about “my” personal experience!

It can change your life

Please, contact professionals

for any inquiries.

Ali Tavanayan


In my opinion

“mostly cultural difference”

Ali Tavanayan


statistics:

O Who ever done an Informational Interview before? O How many are Computer specialist? O How many people been here more than 1 year? O How many knows about meetup.com? O How many has LinkedIn Account?


Finding a job O Have realistic estimation & expectation O Keep yourself up-to-date O Focus on your strength O Do not stock in a job that cause you:

O not be able to think, research, or update yourself O If you started such a job, before you go to this job, make a

deadline for yourself – set it in your calendar.


WHY ?


Why?

O Over %80 of the Canadian jobs are NOT posted

officially. They are hidden. They posted Internally first. You can reach them only through connections, and networking.

O This is an essential step in the career search process.


80% Job Market is hidden!

O Internal Posting OOver whelmed team without plan ONot existing Position


Why? O Learn about an occupation O Learn if more training or experience is needed O Network O Future job leads O Challenges in the company O Ongoing projects


A Job Requirement:

Canadian Job Experience

Catch-22 مرغ و تخم مرغ


The 2 Biggest mistakes people make to find a job

“I have the feeling I don’t get much out of my time and effort.”

The reasons are that you have never defined:

1. Your goal! 2. Who is in the best position to help you

to reach that goal?


Give

Thank Ask

Fundamental Principles O Networking attitude

O “Sharing information in a reactive and proactive way without expecting anything immediately in return.”

O An attitude that builds trust and makes you more interesting to other people, works best.

O Representing yourself as an “expert”

O Golden Triangle of networking Do you always thank someone when she took the time to look for a solution, but didn’t find one?


Why LinkedIn? O Power of second Degree Connection

O Quality & Diversity are both important

O Your goals change over time O More opportunities O Value for your network O Diversity creates a larger safety


Why expanding our network?

O Find the decision makers O To know about hidden jobs O Learn about the company and it’s team O Introduce yourself (familiar face) O Get an Informational Interview O Lot of extra help on the way


HOW?


How to do Informational Interview

• Do the homework • Request it (polite and flexible with a positive impression)

• Prepare thoughtful questions • Seek additional contacts, and express thanks • Above all, don't bait and switch • What do you wish to accomplish? • Important, challenges, and who else ?


What to find out (in their words)

Professional history Expertise Beliefs Missing Pieces Company culture Company structure

How to say it:

I think… I believe… Why… I love…


Informational vs. Job Interview Informational Interviews: O No expectation of job offer O Focus on gaining

knowledge O Interview may be with

someone without hiring power.

O You are the interviewer.

Job Interviews: ● Main focus is

promoting yourself for a specific job opening

● You are the interviewee.


Informational vs. Job Interview Similarities : ● Research the company prior to interview ● Follow up with a thank you note. ● Avoid slang and casual behavior. ● A professional meeting. ● Ends with a plan of action.

→ How might the plans of action differ between an informational and job interview? (


Remember O You are building professional contacts for

not just this move but for the next one as well… or at least you should be.


I.I is NOT the time for: O The time to ask for a job. O The time to sell the other party on how wonderful you are. O The time to beg. (Repeatedly asking for the other person to do something

for you is begging, FYI.) O The time to talk only about yourself (even if that is what it seems like the

other person wants you to do). O The time to pressure the other person into telling you everything that is

wrong with his or her company. O The time to criticize the company. O The time to overpraise the company! (Don’t tell them that this

organization holds the answers to all your prayers!) O The time to walk away without any follow-up expectations in place. (Too

many people end the interview and walk away just hoping the person will “keep them in mind”. It’s important to keep the engagement going.)


Questions to ask: O How did you get started in this field? O What is the typical day like for you? O What are the pros & cons working in this field? O What are the skills & traits that employers look for the

most when it comes to this field? O What are the three things that you wish you would

have known before entering this field?


Questions to ask: O Ask questions about company that can NOT answered

online / in company web site O Job requirements and specific experiences O Always ask about other contacts within the company


Be super smart O What are the most exciting projects you’re

working on right now? O What are the biggest challenges in this

project? O What are the challenges in the company? O Where do you see some improvement

potential in your company?


Critical questions O Based on our conversation today, can you

suggest other people who may be able to provide additional information or perspectives to me?

O May I have permission to use your name when I

contact them? O Have you heard of any events or developments

that suggest a particular company might have a need for someone like me?


Ask the right question!

O Do you have any opening in your company?

O Who do you know have the best knowledge about opening in your company?

YES / No Question: (Do, Dose, Did, Would, Could,…)

Information Questions: (WH- , Who, What, Where, When,…)


Conclusion O Thank them O Can you help them in anyway? O Who else could you talk to? O How can you keep in touch? (set their expectations)


Larger companies in BC O EA Game O Radical Entertainment O Habanero O Graphically Speaking O 6S marketing O Accenture’ O Jim Pattison O BC Lottery, O BC Hydro, O Shaw

O Blast Radius O Sierra Wireless O Vancouver Air Port O KEG / Boston Pizza / O Pizza Hot O Rogers O TELUS O SAP O BC Liquor Store O Best Buy


Elevator pitch 15 seconds to:

Describe O Who you are (your Story) O What you do (skills and attributes ) O What do you need (Goal)

In an interesting, effective, not begging format.

Brief life story that is relevant to your career path and the company.


Speak in testimonials O Instead of merely asserting your great

qualities, cite the words of praise that you have received—particularly those that have come from your managers.

O eg:.: “My manager often tells me I’m always one step ahead of the project, due to my ability to anticipate issues before they happen.”


Erase their doubts O Take notes O Bring a watch O SMILE and NOD! O Respect their time “Do you have more?”! O Watch your body language O Eye contact, hand shake, thank you etc.


Ask for Information Interview I am new to the country/industry. I would like to know how the industry works in Canada? I have experience, but I need to know about it more?

80% says OK if you ask for Coffee Informational Interview


User Groups: O Meetup.com O Vantug.com O netbc.ca O VanSpug.org O VanDev.org O Vancouver.sqlpass.org O Vancouver Joomla User Group O Vancouver Magento User Group


%95


Learn to say:

• I don’t have pervious experience about this topic. • I will study it and get back to you. • I had similar experience, but not the exact one. • I need to get back to you on this topic after some research. • Unfortunately, it’s not in my comfort zone.


Learn to be:

ON

• Communicate, Let them know (PST) • Appointment / RSVP requests • Waiting for answers / documents

TIME


Q & A

O Contact Me if you have questions Ali Tavanayan 604.506.6108 [email protected]

how to do a profesional "informational interview" ?

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