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Information ?interviews

An informational interview is a meeting where a job seeker seeks career advice from someone in a field of interest. It is important to emphasize the goal is gaining information, not a job. Pursuing contacts through networks, organizations, and online searches can help identify people to interview. Common questions in an informational interview relate to the person's work experiences and career path, the field in general, and advice for entering it. Follow-up like thank you notes is important for networking.

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71 views20 pages

Information ?interviews

An informational interview is a meeting where a job seeker seeks career advice from someone in a field of interest. It is important to emphasize the goal is gaining information, not a job. Pursuing contacts through networks, organizations, and online searches can help identify people to interview. Common questions in an informational interview relate to the person's work experiences and career path, the field in general, and advice for entering it. Follow-up like thank you notes is important for networking.

Uploaded by

Morning Flower
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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What are they?

Where do I start?
An Informational Interview (also known
as an Informational conversation) is a
meeting in which a potential job seeker or
newcomer seeks advice on their career,
the industry, and the culture of a potential
career path.
Critical to emphasize that
you are looking for
information, not a job.
 Pursue your own contacts. People you already know in mental health
 Identify names of BTMH alumni. Social Media is a great start.
 Call organizations directly or visit their website for the name of someone working
within a particular area of interest.
 LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Internet Search, Charity Village, Indeed
 211 Toronto –Let’s review together!
211 Toronto a website of over 20,000 community, health, social and related government
services - a reliable resource for anyone looking for human services in Toronto

Please login to:


https://www.211toronto.ca/

Let’s explore!!

Other similar resources to explore in and around GTA:


settlement.org
211toronto.ca
peelregion.ca/social-services
peel.cioc.ca
york.cioc.ca
halton.cioc.ca
 Many people prefer making their request via email because they can ensure the
request is worded perfectly. If you send an email and don’t hear back within about a
week, follow up with a phone call. Proofread!

 If you prefer to call, develop a short (15-30 second) overview of yourself, including your
reasons for contacting this person, as a way to introduce yourself and define the context
of the meeting. Be specific about what you want.
While this may sound like a scary prospect, most people
actually enjoy talking about themselves, their careers,
their experiences and providing advice.
Hello. My name is Isabel and I am in a bridging program for internationally trained
Mental Health Professionals. I am currently working on an assignment for a presentation
about your organization and what you do there. Is this a good time for you to talk
briefly?
I am interested learning more about mental health practices in Ontario and would like
to find out as much as I can about the field. Would it be possible to schedule 10 to 20
minutes with you at your convenience to ask you a few questions and get your advice on
how best to prepare to enter the field?

I heard you speak at an event… (details).


I got your name from your colleague… (details).
Hello, my name is Nisha. I am a newcomer to Canada and got
your name from your company website. I am a mental health
professional and I was hoping that you could help me gain
insights into the profession here in Ontario. I'm sure that my
questions could be answered in a 15-20 minute informational
interview if you would be willing to book something at your
convenience.

http://settlement.org/ontario/employment/find-a-job/applying-for-a-job/try-information-interviews-they-may-really-help/
Dear Monica,
My name is Somia Har, and I’m a newcomer to Canada participating in
a bridging program for mental health professionals. As an aspiring
mental health professional in Ontario, I’d love to learn more about your
role as a Case Manager at CMHA.
I’m sure you’re busy, so even 10-20 minutes would be greatly
appreciated.
Thank you,
Somia
416-444-4444
https://www.themuse.com
Be ready to ask questions
on the spot if the person
says it is a good time for
them to talk right then and
there and that they won’t
be readily available
otherwise.
1. A description of the agency
2. A description of the history of the agency
3. A description of the services the agency
provides
4. The population the agency serves
5. The size of the agency
6. The catchment area
7. The referral process
8. The staff credentials
You can ask about such topics as the nature of a person’s work, how to get started in
the field, or effective approaches for the job search. Use some of the following
questions or make up your own.
 How did you become interested in this field? How did you begin your career?
 What are your main responsibilities as a...?
 What is a typical day (or week) like for you?
 What do you like most about your work?
 What kind of education, training, or background does your particular job require?

https://career.berkeley.edu/Info/InfoQuestions
 What current issues and trends in the mental health field should I know about/be
aware of?
 What are some common career paths in this field?
 Are there any related fields/positions do you think I should consider looking into?
 How do most people get into this field? What are common entry-level jobs?
 As a newcomer with my background, what steps would you recommend I take to
prepare to enter this field?
https://career.berkeley.edu/Info/InfoQuestions
 What skills, abilities, and personal attributes are essential to success in your
job/this field?
 If you could do it all over again, would you choose the same path for yourself? If not,
what would you change?
 Can you suggest anyone else I could contact for additional information?
https://career.berkeley.edu/Info/InfoQuestions
 Dress neatly and appropriately, as you would for a job interview.
 Arrive on time or a few minutes early.
 Restate that your objective is to get information and advice, not a job.
 Give a brief overview of yourself and your education and/or work background.
 Be prepared to direct the interview, but also let the conversation flow naturally, and
encourage the interviewee to do most of the talking.
 Listen well and show genuine interest in what the person has to say.
 Take notes.
 Respect the person's time. Keep the meeting length within the agreed-upon timeframe.
 Ask the person if you may contact them again in the future with other questions.
 Ask for names of other people to meet so as to gain different perspectives.
Yes, but only as a “just in case”. Keep it in your bag/purse and only show it to
the interviewee if they ask to look at it. You must honour your promise that this is
about “information”, not job hunting.
 Keep records. During or right after the interview write down what you learned,
what more you'd like to know
 Send a thank-you note within 1-2 days to express your appreciation for the time
and information given.
 Keep in touch with the person, especially if you had a particularly nice interaction;
let him or her know that you followed up on their advice and how things are going
as a result. This relationship could become an important part of your network.
Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name (or first name if that is how you addressed each other),
Thank you for speaking with me today. Your insights were truly helpful and have
confirmed my decision to gain additional work experience in the field.
I will regularly check the websites you suggested for job leads, and have already
contacted the ABC professional association regarding membership.
I will follow up in the near future to let you know about my progress. Thank you again
for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Dear Mr. King
Our meeting yesterday was truly informative and extremely useful in helping me
clarify various concerns regarding careers with mental health organizations in
Ontario. Your experience and knowledge of this field is most impressive.
I want to thank you again for taking the time from your busy schedule to meet with
me.
Following your advice, I will contact Person X in the near future to see if she might
have more knowledge to share. I will give her your regards.
I hope to have a chance to meet with you again sometime.
Sincerely,
First Last Name

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