InternshipRatings.com

By Joe Bucher, Career Consultant -Student Internship Specialist
San Jose State University Career Center
www.joebucher.wordpress.com

Informational interviews are something that I am a huge proponent of. I got started in career counseling by doing an informational interview with a family friend who was a career counselor. I gained useful insight from my informational interview and was able to use what I learned to get an internship.
Besides being relatively quick, informative and a great way to network - informational interviews are still underutilized by job seekers. I believe informational interviews are a great way to stand out from the pack and help students get started on their internship search.

What is an informational interview?

– An opportunity to meet with someone who works in a field that you have interest in.

– A chance to ask questions about corporate culture, challenges on the job, trends in the industry, how the professional got involved in the field, and more.
– A way to explore different industries and organizations in order to help you target your internship search and application materials.

An informational interview is not:

– A job interview - while you should be prepared to market yourself with a resume, knowledge of the organization/industry, and perhaps a portfolio - only offer if asked!!

– A free ride. Offer to buy the person a cup of coffee or lunch if the interview is done in person.

Questions to ask:

Think about the questions you genuinely have about the industry, organization, or position as this is your opportunity to ask someone who is currently working in your potential field of interest. However, remember that your interaction creates the first impression that this person will have of you. Therefore, do some research on the organization and possibly the person you will be speaking with. Check-in with your school’s career center or search online to review some potential questions. For instance, my school has a list of suggested informational interview questions.

Setting it up:

Step 1: Identify some possible organizations or jobs that you would like to learn more about.
Step 2: Do some homework. Research online to get the basics of the job/organization then figure out what sort of questions you would like to ask of an interviewee.
Step 3: Find possible interviewees by:

– Asking friends, family, co-workers, and professors if they know anyone in your desired field that might do an informational interview with you.
– Visiting your career center for resources or asking if they have an alumni group that would be willing to do informational interviews.

– Contacting the HR department of an organization that you would like to learn more about and ask “If it would be possible to conduct a 20 minute informational interview with one of your
employees?”

– Using your social media outlets to contact prospective interviewees.

Step 4: Be flexible. You may find that some professionals simply do not have the time to conduct an informational interview while others may be willing to do a phone or email version rather than in person. The main point when dealing with a potential interviewee is to be clear about the reasons why you are contacting them and be prepared.

After the Informational Interview:

– Follow up with a thank you email or letter.

– Ask the interviewee if they know of any other people who they would suggest that you could do an informational interview with.

– Utilize the information that was gained to incorporate into your internship search.

The informational interview is not only a tool to learn more about a specific career path or industry but also a chance to meet people in your potential field. You may get helpful information on what to include on a resume, an idea for a class project, or insight into how a particular organization works. Still not convinced? Check out Owlnotes.com for some great examples of informational interviews.

By Joe Bucher, Career Consultant –Student Internship Specialist
San Jose State University Career Center
www.joebucher.wordpress.com

Over the past 5 years I have had the opportunity to assist students in their search for internships. Throughout this time, many students have presented a common theme in terms of the issues and concerns that arise regarding their internship interview. Having been a former intern myself, I have experienced many of the issues that students encounter when faced with an interview.

My colleague, Angela Wayfer shared some insider tips on “Understanding the Internship Interviewing Game Part I.” She outlined some important tips and information on how to shine throughout the interview process. I’d like to share my 5 rules to follow when interviewing for an internship as a Part II to her entry.

1. Know your audience

This sounds simple enough right? One of the keys to this area is the fact that you should spend a considerable amount of time on your research in order to do it well. Here are three keys to ensure that you know your audience:
• Review the job description and the organization’s website including the mission statement and values sections so that you can show how you are a match.
• Utilize your network. Talk to friends, family, and classmates to find contacts that can give you useful background information on your desired industry or organization. Another strategy is to do an informational interview. The point is-the more that you know about the organization’s interview process the better chance you will have to succeed.
• Stay current on the specifics of the industry and organizations that you are intersted in by using tools such as rss feeds and news alerts. You can set up key word alerts on anything from a person, an organization, a product, and more. Hint*-set up an alert for your name and screenames from your social networking sites so that you can manage your online presence.

2. Understand the rules of the game

Whether it is before, during, or after an internship interview there are some important things to know. Having as much knowledge about the process of interviewing will help when the unexpected comes up.
• Attend an interviewing workshop at your school’s career center. This will help you to understand the difference between the different types of interviews that employers use. For instance, employers are increasingly using phone interviews to screen internship applicants. You should know how to put yourself in position to succeed during all types of interview situations.
• Prepare to answer behavioral based interview questions by choosing samples of your past experiences that highlight attributes that are relevant to the internship. Use the “STAR” method in order to formulate thoughtful and concise answers.
• Review everything that is on your resume and be prepared to speak to the details of your experiences. The employer assumes that everything that is on your resume is “fair game.” If you aren’t able to speak to the qualities on your resume, it may cause the interviewer to think that you overstated your abilities.

3. Represent yourself professionally

Most students don’t realize that the interview starts the moment that you make contact with an employer, therefore in all your dealings make sure to act professionally. This rule can help separate you from the pack.
• Be on time! There is no excuse for being late to an interview, including the fact that there was traffic or that the directions you got off of the internet were wrong. Plan ahead by driving the route a day or a week ahead during the same time of the day as your scheduled interview. Aim to be about 10 minutes early.
• Treat everyone in the organization with respect. Often times the hiring manager or committee will ask for feedback from others in the organization. Everyone you encountered including administrative assistants and interns may have an opinion that could help or hurt you.
• Dress professionally. The image that you portray will have an immediate effect on those who are interviewing you. The impression you make within the first 5 minutes will largely shape the rest of your interview. If you don’t have professional clothes and can’t afford them new, consider buying clothing from a consignment store.

4. Be yourself

Remember that the interview is a two-way street. Students can feel pressure to jump on the first internship that is made available to them. While it is important to maintain your own sense of self, learn how to do so while maintaining your professionalism. The interview is an opportunity for both parties to see if there is a fit.
• Don’t overstate your skills on your resume. If an employer realizes that you have overstated your skills during the interview, you not only will lose out on that opportunity but they may share their experience with others in the industry.
• Ask questions and observe the type of questions that the organization asks of you during the interview. This will give you additional information to aid in your decision making.
• Clarify what the interviewer is asking if you don’t understand. It is ok to ask the employer to clarify, repeat, or re-word a question if you are unsure of what they are asking.

5. Practice

Putting yourself in position to succeed in any interview is the combination of preparation, knowledge, and the ability to connect with people. It is important to practice your interviewing skills so that you are ready to answer the call when an internship interview opportunity comes.
• Do mock interviews. Most career centers provide some sort of mock interviewing to give you feedback. Take note of the feedback given on your verbal and non-verbal presentation skills. Most studies show that non-verbal communication has a majority of the impact on the interviewer.
• Continue to get feedback. Once you have learned of some areas to improve upon, continue to practice with someone who will give you honest feedback.
• Continue to develop and research. Even after receiving an internship, it is essential to continue to hone your interviewing skills. You just might be interviewing for a full-time opportunity as a result of your internship experience.

The interview is one of the most critical steps in gaining an internship. You can have a well-written resume, cover letter, and great references but ultimately the interview will have a lasting impression on your potential employer. There are many aspects to cover when discussing an interview. However, it is my belief that if you can follow these 5 simple rules you will be on the fast track to a successful internship interview.