Informational interviews

Benefits

Informational interviews are one of the most effective networking strategies. By reaching out and talking to people who do work that you're curious about, you can:

Learn more about career options you’re interested in
Follow up on research from books, articles, courses, etc.
Get information specific to you
Fast-track the answers to some of your career questions
Open the door to opportunities like internships, volunteer roles, summer jobs, part-time work, contracts or paid work experience

Finding people to interview

Leverage your connections at UBC

Meet UBC alumni at Arts Career Expo, Beyond the BSc, or other events specific to your major
Speak to recruiters at employer information sessions, UBC Career Days and other career fairs
The Centre for Student Involvement and Careers has employer directories for specific industries such as science, new media, nonprofits and the public sector

Do your research

Business in Vancouver is a weekly newspaper with articles and profiles that feature companies or people at companies in bold type, so they’re easily identifiable. BIV also has an events calendar, which you can find for free online
Eluta.ca is the official job search engine of Canada’s top employers
Many professional associations have websites with industry information and career-related resources

Get out into the community

Reach out on LinkedIn or Twitter
Go to lectures or events and participate in discussions
Find associations that hold events for professionals

How to ask for an interview

Introduce yourself in a few short sentences
Explain how you found the person’s contact information
Be specific about what you’re looking for; use the words “informational interview” and say how long you want to meet for (e.g., 15-30 minutes)
If the person can’t meet with you, ask them to refer you to other people or places to go for more information
Offer to provide a resume so the person will know more about you
Offer to meet them at their work place or near their work place during business hours to make it convenient for them

Questions to ask

What are some tasks or projects you work on?
What skills can help you excel in this field?
What would entry-level work in this field look like? How do you advance? What does the typical career path look like?
How would the experience from this kind of job transfer to other related roles?
What is the work culture like in your industry?
What kinds of people are you in contact with regularly?
Who else should I talk to?
What resources (like websites, industry associations or organizations) should I look into?
What is the most effective way to stay connected to current events and news particular to your industry?
Was graduate school necessary to prepare for or advance in this career? If so, which programs do you recommend?

Tips for success

Assume that people in the working world are willing to talk to you. You may think people aren’t interested in talking with you, but people will be supportive if you show genuine interest in what they do.
Don’t confuse it with a job interview. Be clear with the interviewee – and yourself – that you’re only looking for information. Don’t be afraid to mention skills or experiences that led you to this field, but don’t fish for opportunities.
Leave with two ideas to move forward, examples: two people to talk to next, or two organizations to volunteer with, or two websites you hadn’t seen before.
Be respectful of their time.
Send a thank you note right away!

External resources

Ten Thousand Coffees
Create a free profile on The UBC Hub, start building your network, and share your experiences and exchange ideas....
50 Ways to Get a Job
Where are you at in your job search?
Glassdoor
Salary details, company reviews and interview questions - all posted anonymously by employees and job seekers.

Networking topics

Career events

August 2020

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
						1
2	3	4 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Webinar: Feeling Stuck or Unsure	5 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Webinar: Resume & Cover Letter	6 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Webinar: Resume & Cover Letter 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM: KPMG Mainland China and Hong Kong Employer Virtual Information Session 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Webinar: Job Search Strategies	7 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Webinar: LinkedIn	8
9	10 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Webinar: Job Search Strategies 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Webinar: Resume & Cover Letter	11 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM: Webinar: Panic to Power: Build Your Confidence	12 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Webinar: Interview Preparation	13 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Webinar: Resume & Cover Letter 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Webinar: Designing Your Life	14	15
16	17 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Webinar: Designing Your Life 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Webinar: Interview Preparation	18 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Employer Virtual Information Session/Tech Talk: Cloud Assert Technologies 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Webinar: Feeling Stuck or Unsure	19 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Webinar: Resume & Cover Letter 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM: Alumni Office Hours with Eddie Jang - Underwriter at Merchant Growth	20 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Webinar: Interview Preparation 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Webinar: Job Search Strategies	21 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Webinar: LinkedIn	22
23	24 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Webinar: Job Search Strategies	25 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM: Webinar: Panic to Power: Build Your Confidence	26 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Webinar: Interview Preparation	27 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Webinar: Designing Your Life	28	29
30	31 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Webinar: Designing Your Life

Book an advising appointment

Centre for Student Involvement and Careers

Current Service Update

Career Advising & Drop-In Services

In support of social distancing during the COVID-19 outbreak, the Centre for Student Involvement & Careers has suspended all in-person operations and has transitioned services to online delivery. The physical CSI&C will remain closed until further notice.

Career Advisors remain committed to supporting you with your questions and curiosities during this time.

Career advising is accessible through phone, Skype and Zoom, along with webinar options.
Same-day career advising available daily from 1pm – 3pm. Sign-up begins at 9:00AM.

Sign up in advance or on the day-of through CareersOnline.

For additional support, please email csic.support@ubc.ca or phone 604-822-4011 from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Monday through Friday.

Centre for Student Involvement and Careers

csic.support@ubc.ca

Telephone: 604 822 4011

Web: Book an advising appointment online.

Brock Hall

Room 1036

1874 East Mall

Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1

Canada

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