Brigham Young University - Idaho



TIARA Informational Interview GuideInformational interviews done well are a great way to job search before you actually need a job. This guide walks you through the process of preparing for, conducting, and following up after an informational interview.STEP 1: PROVIDE APPOINTMENT & NETWORK CONTACT INFORMATIONYour NameCompany NameNetwork Contact NameNetwork Contact Job TitleNetwork Contact Phone Number & EmailAppointment Date & TimeSTEP 2: PREPARE FOR INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW1. Research the company and your network contact. Note: Use the Know Your Audience guide or the box panyCheck out the company’s positive headlines and current initiatives from LinkedIn, company website, open source databases (ie, ), McKay Library databases, etc. Also Google headlines about company to become aware of any negative or controversial topics to avoid mentioning. Network ContactExplore the career history and highlights from your network connection’s LinkedIn profile. In addition to exploring their work history, make note of any Influencers they follow, professional organizations they affiliate with, articles they have published, posts they have shared, etc. This will give you a good idea of their career passions and accomplishments. 2. Get your resume and digital profile in good shape 3. Arrive prepared to answer: o Tell me about yourself. o What appeals to you about our company? (Draw from your company research) o What areas of this industry appeal to you? (Go to byui.edu/knowyouraudience for resources) 4. Review the list of powerful questions found on pages 4 and 5 of this guide. (Add more questions as you see fit.)5. On the day of your appointment, do the following to get things off to a great start.Make sure you are professionally dressed and well groomed.Bring: (1) hard copies of your resume in a nice folder, (2) your TIARA guide with your list of questions, (3) 2 pens, and (4) a notebook or padfolioAllow ample time for unexpected traffic or other unexpected occurrences that might slow you down. Arrive 5-10 minutes early.Turn off or completely silence your cell phone before the appointment starts.For remote appointments, Make sure you have a place to meet that is quiet and has a professional background. (If possible, using a land-line, rather than a cell phone is recommended.)Double check that your computer, digital interviewing software, sound, etc. are all functioning well to avoid technical difficulties during the interview. Review your TIARA so the guide questions you ask and the research you conducted on your network contact/company are fresh on your mind.Spend the first 5 minutes of your appointment building rapport. Ask questions like: o How is your day going so far? o What projects are you working on right now? o Comment on a success from the interviewer’s LinkedIn profile or the company websiteSTEP 3: DURING YOUR INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW, ASK THESE QUESTIONSRecord answers from your informational interview below. TRENDSo What trends are most impacting your business right now?o How has your business/organization most changed since you started? o How do you think your business/organization will change most dramatically in the next several years? INSIGHTSo What attracted you to this career? o What has surprised you most about your job/employer? o What’s the best lesson you’ve learned on the job? o What’s been your most valuable experience with your employer so far, and why? o If you had to attribute your success with your employer to one skill or trait, what would it be? (Follow-up: Is that trait shared by many across the firm, or is it unique to you?) STEP 3: DURING YOUR INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW, ASK THESE QUESTIONS . . .Record answers from your informational interview below.ADVICEo My strengths and interests center around ___________________________. Do you have any thoughts about where that might fit in this industry? Or in a company similar to yours?o What advice do you have for breaking into and continuing to succeed in this field? o What do you know now that you wish you would have known when you were my age or in my position? o If you were me, what would you be doing right now to maximize your chance of breaking into this industry or function? o What keeps you up at night about your job? Why? (Follow-up: How can I prepare to be the kind of professional who can solve these types of problems?) RESOURCESo How do you stay current in your industry?Daily? Weekly? Monthly? Annually? ASSIGNMENTSo Gain understanding of vernacular and high-value work of the industryWhat projects have you done for your employer that you felt added the most value?Have any projects increased in popularity recently at your organization?Have you had interns or contractors in the past? If so, what sort of projects have they done? STEP 4: AFTER THE INTERVIEW: SEND A THANK YOU NOTECheck here to verify that you sent a thank you note.Include the content of the thank you note you sent below. ................
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