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Informational Interviews and Job Shadowing
Two of the best ways to gather real-world information about your chosen field are informational interviews and job shadows.
Informational Interviews
Sage Ross/Wikimedia Commons.
- Figuring out whom and how to ask for an interview;
- Conducting the interview;
- Last but not least: Sending a thank-you note.
Whom and How to Ask for an Interview
If you've worked on building your network of contacts, this should be
pretty easy. Another way to find people to interview is to go to a
professional
development event for the field that you wish to pursue. Interested in
teaching? Attend a National
Science Teachers Association conference.
Interested in science writing? Go to a National Association of Science
Writers meeting. Once there, introduce yourself to people and when you
meet
someone whose job seems interesting, ask if you could meet them for an
informational interview. It's that easy.
Conducting the Interview
Okay, you've got the interview scheduled, now what? There are many questions that you can ask during an informational interview. Just about the only question that you shouldn't ask is: "Do you have a job open?" Remember that you are there to gather information, not to find a job. The following is a list of potential informational interview questions, but you should really tailor your list to the person and the type of position:
- What type of training did you pursue for your job?
- What is a typical day like for you?
- What do you like about your job?
- What do you dislike about your job?
- Were there any surprises about your job?
- What type of professional development do you want?
- What advice would you give someone interested in your line of work?
- How do you see your field changing in the next five to ten years?
- Perhaps the most important question, asked at the end of the interview: Is there anyone else you can recommend that I talk with?
This final question is crucial because it allows you to expand your network further, and you never know where that may lead.
Sending a Thank-You Note
The importance of the thank-you note can't be emphasized
enough. Almost no one sends written thank-you notes these days, so
sending one
to the person you interviewed will instantly make you stand out from the
crowd,
and the person is more likely to remember you. The note doesn't have to
be
long; a few sentences thanking the person for taking the time to meet
with you
is sufficient. The note will be appreciated.
Job Shadows
A job shadow is when you accompany a person while she does
her jobs. It can last anywhere from an hour to an entire day. You can
ask for
a job shadow towards the end of an informational interview, if you feel
that the
interview has gone well. A job shadow is a great way to find out what an
hour
or a day on that job is like. Job shadows are especially good for jobs
that are
highly active, such as nursing, teaching, or research. Other jobs, such
as
science writing, are best scheduled for specific times, such as when the
writer
is interviewing someone.
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