Guidelines
Here are some guidelines for structuring a typical informational interview interaction with the students or alumni that contact you:
-Set up a mutually convenient time to talk and establish the length of time you are willing to spend.
- Describe your job history, the responsibilities of your present position and any advice about job opportunities in your field.
- Help identify skills/experiences that apply to your career field or organization.
- Suggest other networking opportunities such as community groups, service organizations, professional organizations, contact names, etc.
-Describe the changes taking place in your field, typical career tracks and projected future trends.
- Share any materials that might give the graduate or student a better understanding of your organization.
- Suggest ways in which they might gain additional experience or training in your field.
- Clearly define your expectations of the graduate or student.
- Remember that networking is a two-way street. Don't be afraid to call in a favor!
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Do's
- Agree to one interaction (phone consultation, in-person interview, etc.) only. You may decide later that you would like to continue to advise a given mentor seeker, but it is best not to set an expectation in advance that this will be the case.
- Commit to more interaction only if you are comfortable and have time.
- Create a professional relationship.
- Rely on the graduate or student to contact you.
- Tell UMAJA if your situation changes: you move and/or change jobs.
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Don'ts
- Feel that your role is to find a job for a graduate or student.
- Feel obligated to make long-term commitments of any kind.
- Over-extend yourself. Let the graduate or student know if you do not have time, and inform them of a better time to contact you.
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