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Interviews for Information

A concept developed and promoted by Richard Bolles, author of the book, What Color Is Your Parachute 2009 edition. Bolles' book is considered THE job search handbook with extensive exercises on self assessment and finding a job through non-traditional methods. Daniel Porot, one of our fall speakers, worked extensively for Dick Bolles and shares his passion for this preparation method. Informational Interview questions put you in the interviewer's spot, asking questions that go beyond your research and into customized areas that are important to you and relative to the position, company and industry. The interview for information's intent is not to ask for a job, but to gather information to help you decide if this type of work, culture and industry fits your needs now or in the future. It also provides you with, hopefully, a face to face contact that is mutually reciprocal. You will give back to the person who grants you an informational interview, by giving that person information, that perhaps because you are a student, he or she does not have access. Typical time may be 15-30 minutes for an informational interview, Select your questions wisely to make a good impression and to gain valuable career awareness. Sample questions:
1. How has the industry changed over the time you have been in it? 2. How has the company changed? What drove those changes? 3. Who do you compare yourselves to in the industry? (You already know their competitors and so preface the question with that data.) Has that changed? 4. Are there professional organizations or social networks that you'd recommend within the industry? 5. How has the MBA prepared you for this function? (You know that the person has an MBA.) 6. If you were still in school, what type of courses or activities would you recommend as essential or nice to have for this work? 7. What percentage of your time is spent on or or _____ ? (Top skills and tasks that you know are a part of this function.) 8. What percentage of your time is spent with cross functional teams, such as ________ or or (Typical ones that you know). 9. What are the best parts of your job? What provides the most challenges? 10. What are some back burner projects you wish you could do, but don't have the time? (Could be a project you might do voluntarily to prove yourself.) 11. When people leave this area where do they usually go? (Gives you a sense of internal promotion.) 12. What is the amount of time it takes to move to the next level and the one after that? What is your estimate on the percentage of people who are promoted? 13. Where do you see the future of this function going? Industry's future? 14. How are people evaluated, how frequently and by whom? ?

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Career Management Center

15. How would you describe the culture?

Do you see different cultures in each function?

16. How involved is corporate in decision making on a daily basis? 17. How is continuing education encouraged? 18. How frequently do international assignments occur for US domestics or internationals assigned to the US? 19. How is globalization affecting the industry? The firm? The function? 20. How has your job changed over the years? 21. What values do you see exhibited in the firm? 22. How has the economy affected the industry? The firm? What actions does the firm take? 23. How much of your time is spent with clients, or managing, or working with peers, or team versus independent work, or budgets, and meetings with senior management? 24. How much flexibility is there in your work? 25. What experiences helped you the most, to get to where you are? 26. Are there people in the company who are acknowledged as "heroes"? What is their story? 27. How do you see the firm expanding or contracting? 28. What professional journals, magazines, and web sites would you recommend? 29. Is there anyone you'd recommend I talk to who also has a similar background in _____ ? Can I mention your name?

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Career Management Center

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