Many students overlook the importance of informational interviews. For example, you can learn the good and bad of work in a particular career or company and discover careers and opportunities you didn`t know existed. I noticed on your website that ____ is one of your clients. What kind of work do you do for them? Which departments in your company are currently the busiest/least busy? As far as I know, the company has just opened an office in Hong Kong. How was this decision made? What are the company`s expectations for future growth and in what areas? What sets your business apart from similar businesses in Chicago, Milwaukee, etc.? How long have you been working (interviewer) for this company/organization/agency? What did you do before joining the company/organization/agency? Why did you decide to join the company/organization/agency? What do you like most about working for the company/organization/agency? What projects do summer clerks/interns work on? [ONLY if not described on the employer`s website] It sounds complicated and intimidating, but it`s actually pretty easy to do good informative interviews! Conducting informational interviews throughout the application process can help ensure success at every stage of your job search. Our Networking and Relationship Building section has useful information on how to find contacts to conduct an information meeting. In the following, I give some tips on informative interviews. What other companies/organizations do you interview with? An information meeting is an opportunity to make a meaningful connection. As a result, you should do most of the listening. You may want to know more about the typical work day of a lawyer. You might be interested to know if a particular field of activity is right for you. You may just want to know something about a person`s career path. All of these areas are excellent topics for discussion in the informational interview.
An informational interview is not a chance to apply for a job. This may lead to opportunities in the future, but the interviewer should focus on learning, making meaningful connections, and actively listening. Also, your questions should focus on things you actually want to know – they shouldn`t be phrased to make you look smart. Here are some examples of questions: The word “networking” can be scary for many law students. You don`t have to think of networking as a smile. There are many forms, and you can certainly customize your networking style to suit your comfort. Not all networks take place at cocktail parties. You can attend small events or CLEs where you can sit next to a person.
You can arrange informational interviews to have one-on-one conversations, or if you`re comfortable in large crowds, there`s no shortage of networking events in the Madison area. Here are some specific networking tips: Information meetings are a special form of networking. It caters to people in careers that interest you to learn more about specific jobs and career paths and current developments in the legal industry. It is also a way to discover other potential contacts. The purpose of an informative conversation is to gather information and build your network. Building your network is crucial for your career development, as the most common way for people to get jobs is through people they know. At some point during the interview, the interviewer will “reverse the roles” and ask you if you have any questions for them. At this point, the ball is in your court, and it`s up to you to continue the conversation by asking a few questions. These questions should show that you`ve done your homework and know something about the organization you`re interviewing with. Don`t let that happen to you! When preparing for your interviews, it is extremely important to have a series of thoughtful, relevant, and insightful questions that you can ask the interviewer.
This is true whether you`re preparing for a 20-minute on-campus interview with one person or a half-day off-campus interview where you`ll meet many people. Asking questions conveys self-confidence, careful preparation, and genuine interest in the company/organization. It is impossible to overestimate the value of holding informational events. Seeking advice and information in a low-pressure environment allows you to discuss the specifics of a profession, learn about different career paths and fields, and build a professional network that will help you find your ideal job. Most people find that advice and suggestions from professionals who are already working in their field of interest are more accurate and useful than information from other sources. Information interviews are a massively underused tool. How do I follow up? Send a thank you (email or handwritten) shortly after your briefing. Thank the interviewee for their time and mention something you found particularly helpful or helpful during the meeting. You should keep a complete record of your meeting (name, address, phone, topics discussed, other recommended contacts) so that you can follow up in the future. Contact everyone recommended by the interviewee so that your network continues to grow.
Finally, let your contacts know when you decide on a job, as they are likely to become a professional colleague. The most successful interviews are usually characterized by a light exchange that has a conversational character. However, to help you prepare for job interviews, we`ve compiled a list of some of the most frequently asked questions you`re likely to encounter during a legal interview. In reality, the “informative interview” is just a fancy way of saying, “Take someone for coffee and get to know them. Most lawyers are not “trained HR professionals” and therefore their interview styles and the types of questions they ask vary greatly from person to person. Most lawyers who interview law students try to put them at ease and make it an enjoyable experience. Each interviewer`s style is unique, and often the lawyer interviewing you does not have a list of prepared questions. Recently, however, a number of law firms have begun asking so-called “behavioral” interview questions. Therefore, don`t be surprised if you sometimes encounter questions that begin with the phrase “Tell me about a time when you” or “Describe a situation in which you.” How does this lead to employment? You`ve done all this research and hard work with no specific job offer in sight – what`s the point? Keep in mind that most people get jobs through other people, so informational conversations increase your contacts and therefore your job opportunities.
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