Networking
Informational Interview
30 second pitch
Marilyn Seltzer
Discovery Class
Aspen High School
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The combination of
experience, network & connections, and knowledge
is critical to securing work in the field that interests you.
Experience/
Can you do the work?
Employers like
to see
3 things when hiring:
Network/
Connections
1) academic knowledge
of industry
2) on the job exposure or
experience
3) an active network with people
inside the industry.
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Education
Marketing You
• Marketing yourself is a lifelong skill. Promoting
yourself for your various careers will continue
throughout your lifetime. Remember, statistically you
will have 3-5 different careers throughout your life.
• Networking is one way to market yourself.
• Having a practiced 30-second pitch allows you to
capitalize on any opportunity.
• Informational interviews allow you to gather
information and network.
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Networking
Networking (as it relates to career) means: identifying people you know
who can introduce you to people who work in your targeted field of interest.
Networking is connecting with people in a field or organization in which you
wish to work, in order to ask for information, not a job.
However, networking can often lead to finding out about internship
opportunities and equip you with the knowledge of how to better market
yourself as a potential intern.
Networking is the equivalent of conducting market research.
Ask yourself 2 questions before you begin your networking conversations.
What do you want to come away with from a networking
conversation?
How do you want people to perceive you?
Who is in your network?
You
Family
Teachers,
Counselors
Churches or
Synagogues
Churches
Friends &
their
Families
Volunteer
Activities
&
Synagogues
Past &
Present
Schoolmates
Parent’s
Sports College
and
Connections
Sports
Clubs
Clubs
Parents’
college
connections
You
Social Media
Facebook, etc.
Industry Thought
Leaders, Writers
of Blogs
People currently
at your target
company or
college
Customers,
Competitors,
Vendors
Professional
Associations
like Rotary or
Aspen
Institute
Community
Leaders
Local Biz
Contacts
Camp
Connections
Informational Interviewing
What is it:
A brief interview with a person who is working in the industry that you are interested in. It is low risk, low
pressure and typically lasts 20 minutes or less. It is a short learning opportunity and most business people
are happy to take a few minutes for a prepared individual.
Why do it:
To gather information and continue building a network. Fact: 80% of all jobs are found through a
networking connection. (Dept. Labor Stats.)
Your GOAL :
Find out if you might want to enter that field of work and therefore major in this field in college.. It is also to
understand the best strategies to prepare yourself for a job in that industry.
Sometimes the outcome is a realization that this is not the right field for you. It is much better to find this out
before you invest time and money in your schooling.
How to:
Research the person, company and industry beforehand so you are prepared with informed questions.
(Google, www.onetonline.org, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.) Direct the conversation by asking
questions that you want answered about the work, industry or schooling required. Be polite, respectful, and
gracious.
Try to generate more networking opportunities by asking the contact for any additional people
he/she may know who could also help you. Build your network!
General Tips for Interviewing
•
Talk with several people to get perspective.
Chances are good you’ll run across a few of the “Seven Dwarfs” along the way—talking with Happy and Doc
will help balance any conversations with Grumpy and Dopey.
•
Listen.
Ask a question, then be silent and take notes. If the contact rambles, ask another question. Resist the
temptation to chat. Be pleasant, but remember that you’re on a mission. Stick to it.
•
Watch the clock.
If you’ve requested 20 minutes of someone’s time, and the conversation is going over, consider something like
this: “I want to respect your time. Are we still okay?” You show respect and improve your chances of the
contact speaking with you again should you need to reach out again.
•
Thank them.
•
Nurture the relationship.
Approach networking with the mindset of developing a relationship with that person. The best way to stay in
touch is to give something back. Send the person a relevant article you found from a Google Alert. It should
relate to something discussed in the interview. Additionally, you might even explain how you followed their
advice and completed something they suggested you do.
Write a brief but meaningful thank you note.
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Sample E-mail:
Requesting Informational Interview
•
This e-mail is a template to request an informational interview.
•
Dear Mr. or Mrs. ________:
•
Hello. My name is [First/Last name] and I am a junior at Aspen High School. [First/Last name of
networking contact] suggested I contact you. I am currently taking a class called “Discovery” during which
we learn how to network and research various industries/careers we might be interested in. I have
identified [field of interest] as a field I might want to study in college. I would love a few minutes of your time
to ask you some questions about your career.
•
My goal is to learn about your experience with [company name] and learn what this field is really
like. I would also like to understand the strengths, talents, and skills that are helpful to you in your work and
hear your perspective on the education recommended and your thoughts on the future outlook for this
industry.
•
Please let me know if you are available to meet. My e-mail address is [e-mail address] or you can
reach me on my cell (also text‐friendly) at [your cell number].
•
Thank you for your time and consideration. If you are unable to meet with me, could you please
suggest another person I could possibly contact?
•
Sincerely,
•
[First Name] [Last Name]
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Sample Questions
How did you get started in this career?
•
·
•
· What does your typical day look like?
•
· What do you like best (and least) about your career?
•
· What did you learn on the job that can’t be taught in school?
•
· If you had to name five or six skills that make people successful in this field, what would they be?
•
How are those skills put to use?
•
How do your bosses measure your performance?
•
· Would you say that a particular personality type (social and gregarious, analytical and quiet, etc.)
•
is better suited for this profession?
•
· Who makes it to the top fastest in this career, and why?
•
· Why do people leave the field?
•
· Where do you (or others) go from here what would be your next step? And then where?
•
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Continued Questions
•
What would I need to study to succeed in this field?
•
· What changes or trends are happening in the industry?
•
· How might I combine my interest in ___________ with this profession?
•
. What do you now know about this career that you wish someone had told you at the outset?
•
· Do you have any book recommendations or training recommendations for me?
•
· Do you have any literature about your company beyond what’s available at your web site?
•
· What have I not asked that I should have?
•
· Who else can you think of that I should talk with?
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Sample Thank you
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30-second Gondola Pitch.
What is it?
A great introduction and conversation starter.
•
When do I say it?
Can be used in spontaneous or planned situations to generate
networking connections. Spontaneous situations might include
gondola, airplane, hiking, coffee shop, bus ride. Planned situations
might include parent’s parties and community events.
•
Why should I create one?
The actual process of developing your pitch helps you discover who
you are and what you really want. Developing your pitch focuses
your thinking on what is most important about you.
What do you want your
30-second elevator pitch to get for you?
Ask yourself, what do I want from this person? How do I want to be
perceived?
• College connections?
• Summer Internships?
• Job shadow opportunities?
• Advise on traveling to Europe?
• New networking connections?
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Five Questions to ask yourself.
Who are you?
What do you do? (giving quick context)
What do you want and why are you unique?
What action do you want this person to ultimately
do for you?
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Sample 30 second pitch
if looking for summer internship
Introduce yourself using your full name.
Hi, my name is…
•
Be specific as possible as to what you are doing.
I am a junior at Aspen High School currently studying…….or working
in…..
•
Why unique?
I’m very interested in … because....
•
What do you want this person to do for you?
I’m hoping to find an internship opportunity this summer in ….. I’m
thinking that an internship will give me a better understand of [industry]
and then I can choose my college and major more strategically. Did
you know that college can cost up to $50,000/year these days?
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Commitment = Action
Kolbe Corporation
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