Networking and How to Build a Brand!

An informational interview is a discovery meeting you initiate with someone who has a job, employment site, path, or background that interests you.

The Goal: Learn from someone else’s experience to inform you about
new options, best practices, resources, opportunities, and connections.

Informational interviews:

• Cultivate a professional relationships
• Are a highly effective networking strategy.
• Will make it easier for your contact to keep you in mind when opportunities arise within their organization or another site.

Requesting an Informational Details

• Let your contact know how you got their name/ why you are contacting them. Make it clear that you are looking for information, not a job!
• Provide background information about yourself (how you became interested in their company/ industry, any related experience you have, etc.).
• Make a request for 20-60 minutes of their time (you can determine the amount).
• Thank them in advance and tell them how you will follow up.
• Reach out to 5-10 people at a time so you hear back from 1-3.
• If no response after a week, send a brief reminder to ensure the initial request was not overlooked. If you still don’t hear back, move on to another individual.

Informational Interview Layout

• Begin by thanking the individual for their time.
• Restate the objective of the discussion, the time allotment, and briefly review your background.
• Informational interviews should be casual and conversational.
• Prepare specific open-ended questions that indicate your knowledge of the industry or career path.
• Focus on topics that cannot be researched online.
• Listen attentively and take good notes.
• Always follow up with a thank-you note & add your contact on LinkedIn!

There are many options available to you as an OWU student!

1). Alumni Partners: Visit owu.edu/alumnipartners & connect with alumni dedicated to being a resource and support to students. Reach out to Alumni Partners for insights, advice, and mentorship about their career path, 1:1 mentorship, shadowing & internship opportunities, informational interviews, and so many valuable engagements!

2). Alumni on LinkedIn: Find 16,000+ OWU Alumni directly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/ohio-wesleyan-university/people/, or access our OWU Alumni and Friends Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/97786/.

3). Career Catalyst: Meet with your Career Catalyst in Career Connection for assistance! Schedule on Handshake.

About the Individual

• What is the best path to this career?
• What attracted you to this industry, your company, and your job?
• What aspects of your career are the most and least rewarding/ challenging and why? What would you do differently if you were starting over?
• If you were in the job market tomorrow, what would you recommend doing?

About the Job

• What are your primary responsibilities? How do you spend your time?
• What qualities/attributes do you look for when hiring a __?
• What are the most valuable skills in your job?
• Which experiences enabled you to develop these skills?
• How do you keep your skills current? What do you read?
• What professional associations do you belong to?
• What seminars or continuing education do you find useful?

About the Company/ Organization

• What makes your company/organization unique?
• What do you see as the biggest competitive challenge for your company/
• organization?
• What is the culture like at this company/organization?

About the Industry

• What have been your biggest surprises in this field?
• What are the common misconceptions about working in this field?
• What are the vulnerabilities of this industry? What worries you?
• What do you expect of people starting out in this industry?
• What educational and personal qualities in candidates attract you?
• How do you determine a candidate’s compatibility for the field, including education, personality, and cultural considerations?

Feedback on your Career Search

• Are there other positions / career paths to consider based on my background and interests?
• What strengths and weaknesses do you see in my current background?
• Is there anything else that would be helpful as I consider this field?
• Looking at my resume, what advice would you have for me on next steps if I were interested in this industry/company/career?
• Who are other individuals you would recommend I reach out to?

Request for Informational Interview

Dear [Insert Title & First / Last Name],

My name is ____________ and I am currently studying _________ at Ohio Wesleyan
University. I got your contact information from [ Event / Contact Source ]. At Ohio Wesleyan, I am involved in __________. I also have a great interest in__________.

Since you have a background in ________, I was hoping to ask a few questions and learn more about when you are available to connect. My career goals are
_________, and I wish to gain more knowledge and information from you since your experience(s) and career goal(s) are in line with my own!

Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing back from you soon!
Kind regards,

[First and Last Name]

Thank You Letter/Email
Send a thank you note within 24-48 hours following informational interviews. Check the letter for grammar and spelling. Emphasize the value of the information / time, note how you will incorporate their suggestions, follow up with relevant documents (resume, contacts, etc.), and mention next steps + that you will stay in touch!

SAMPLE

“Dear [Insert title and last name or first name],

I enjoyed speaking with you yesterday on Zoom and learning about the opportunities at _______. I really appreciate you taking the time to share your insight and advice for me as I’m looking to pursue ____________. Thank you again for your time and support, and I look forward to staying in touch as I navigate the next steps on my journey!

Sincerely, Jane Bishop”