Assignment 1
Informational meetings allow you the opportunity to network and to ask the interviewee questions pertaining to their professional background and the company they work for (if applicable). You can also refer to the list of skills you need to further develop or gain from previous assignments to develop questions in regards to the importance of those skills and ways you can further enhance your skill set.
It is important to remember that this is a professional meeting and you should prepare for it as you would any interview. Do your research, be punctual, and dress appropriately. However, you should also remember that the objective of an informational interview is to gain information. You should not expect nor ask for a job during the meeting.
Please meet with a professional in your field or at a company of interest and ask the questions below. Be prepared to ask additional questions if needed. Once complete, write a 400-500 word essay on your experience and how you can use this information moving forward with your job search. Provide specific examples of skills you may need to acquire and/or additional education that may be needed. Be sure to include the name of the professional you interviewed, as well as their current place of employment and job title in your essay.
• How do most people get their jobs in this field/at this company?
• What is your background and function within the company?
• Tell me about the industry/company?
• What trends do you see taking place in this profession?
• What are the top three qualities of a successful professional in this field?
• What is the one thing you would have wanted someone to tell you about this career/company that you didn't know before you started working here?
• When reviewing resumes for a co-op/intern position or conducting an interview with a co-op/intern, what do you look for?
• Can you recommend any sources for more information about this field?
• What suggestions do you have for my resume and/or my job search?
• Do you have suggestions on what I can do to make myself a more competitive applicant?
Assignment 2
The purpose of this exercise is to reflect on the career development activities you are performing and create an action plan to improve your candidacy for future positions. This can include learning or further developing a skill, expanding your knowledge about a particular industry subject, or gaining other work/volunteer experience to build your resume.
When writing your reflection, address the following:
• What transferable skills, experiences, or other credentials would you like to add or further develop on your current resume?
• What are you currently doing to improve your candidacy for future positions? How can this help you in your career?
• Looking back to the volunteer options you listed in Week 13, which have you pursued, if any?
• What goal(s) will you set for yourself in the coming week(s)? Please write your goals using the SMART criteria. SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. (Example: By next Friday, I will review the JStor database for articles pertaining to Asian American History and identify ten articles to cite in my final paper.)
Your reflection should be 100-200 words in length to be considered for full credit.