| W&M alumni offering to help you with your career goals
This is one of the best services we offer you! All of these alums asked to be put into this database because they want to talk to you about their career fields and organizations--they want to offer you insider advice about your own career.
*These alums have volunteered to be information resources for you--it is not appropriate to solicit them for funds or sales leads!
Alumni Mentoring is about meeting people who do things that interest you. Whether you're exploring career options, looking for advice about your job/internship search, or hunting for an apartment in a new area, using Alumni Mentors is a great way to get started.
Are you feeling too shy to approach a total stranger?
>> We have scripts to get you started.
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Etiquette of Informationa interviews
>> Sample questions |
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| The alumni database is housed in EXPERIENCE™, click the link above. Here is how to navigate once you are there:
1. Username: Your W&M email prefix up to the "@" sign followed by _wm (Example: axhenderson_wm) Password: Your entire student ID number . On your First visit to this site you will be asked to complete your personal profile--only complete the required fields.
2. Click on "Mentors" on the top of the page
3. Search using as few criteria as possible
4. If you want contact information for the alums that you find, click the "save" button under his/her description
5. Save the alum into a folder and the contact information will pop up
*Once you've saved an alumnus into a folder, he or she will not show up on subsequent searches. Check your folders!
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Still hesitating to contact an alum?
Remember, this alum ASKED to be put in this database because s/he WANTS to talk to you! Here are some ways to get started:
Writing/emailing: Write a brief letter explaining your interest in talking with the person about her/his career field. State in your letter how you got her/his name and that you will telephone in the next several days to arrange an appointment.
Telephoning: If you reach a secretary, he/she may try to screen your call. Introduce yourself; "My name is Robin Jones, and I'm a student at W&M and am very interested in talking with Mr./Ms. ___________ to learn more about careers in public administration."
When you reach your contact person, introduce yourself and explain the purpose of your call: "Hello, thanks for taking my call. My name is Robin Jones and I am a junior at W&M majoring in American Studies. Your name is in the Alumni Mentors database in W&M's Career Office. I understand you are working in the field of public administration. I am interested in learning more about your career and would appreciate any information you might be able to give. I realize that you might be busy now, so is there a more convenient time for me to call or (if appropriate) visit you?" |
Etiquette
Do's and Don'ts of Informational Interviewing
DO research the field you're exploring so you have questions to ask.
DO dress as if you're going to a job interview or as professionals in this type of work would dress. You don't want to embarrass yourself or your contact.
DO schedule about 30 to 45 minutes for the interview and be aware of the time. Watch for cues that it's time to leave, such as glancing at a watch, or winding down a conversation.
DO pay attention to your thoughts, body signals and reactions during the interview. If you feel energetic and excited, this type of atmosphere may suit you. If you feel bored or tired, perhaps this isn't a match.
DON'T ask for a job -- even if you are bursting to do so! You could, however, say something like this: "I really enjoyed meeting with you and learning about your television station and what a producer does. WGJX is the kind of setting where I would like to work. Do you know of stations with a similar work culture that I might contact?"
DON'T book too many interviews back-to-back. Allow flexibility in case your contact chooses to spend more time with you or to introduce you to others.
DON'T just talk about yourself. The more the contact talks about the job, the career steps and the field, the more you will learn. In fact, the whole idea is not to focus on yourself, but to talk about the contact.
DO ask for names of more people to contact, and if it's okay to use his/her name when you contact others.
DO write a thank-you notewithin two days of the interview, referring to any particularly helpful or thought provoking information the contact gave you.
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Sample Informational Interview Questions
Preparation:
What preparation is necessary for entry level jobs in this field?
How important is graduate school in this field?
Could you recommend some courses that I should be taking now in preparation for a career in this field?
How does your education and experience relate to what you are doing now?
How did you get into this field and into this position? What are some alternative routes into the field? What kind of background, training, special programs or other learning experiences does one need to enter the field?
What professional journals, books, newspapers or publications do people in your field generally read? Are any professional associations particularly influential?
Is there any advice you would give someone just entering the field, maybe something that you wish someone had mentioned when you were starting?
Lifestyle:
What kind of "lifestyle" choices have you had to make? How many hours do you work in a typical week? Do you take work home at night?
Is travel involved in your job and if so, how often are you traveling?
What is the typical salary range for an entry-, mid-, and upper-level position?
Do you need to dress in a particular way?
Has your work experience differed very much from what you imagined it would be? In what way?
Job Outlook:
Do you anticipate employment in this field to grow, decrease, or remain stable?
What are the opportunities for advancement? Is there a high turnover rate and if so, why?
What types of employers hire people in your line of work?
You mentioned that you made a transition into this field from another career path. How difficult was this?
What job choices are there within this field and to what types of other organizations can one move?
Job Routine:
Describe how you spend your time during a typical work day/week.
What major satisfactions do you derive from working in this field?
What are some of the issues/problems that you must deal with in your work?
(If you are interested in the company the alumnus is working for) Could you tell me a little about the management style here? How are promotions decided? What does one need to be successful in this field?
Job Search Techniques:
What strategies would you be using if you were in a job search for a position in this field?
Would you mind reviewing my resume and giving me feedback on it?
What types of questions should I expect when interviewing for a job in this field?
Could you give me the names of others who might tell me more about your field? May I say you suggested I contact them?
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