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I'd like to know exactly how I can apply to a business office firm? How exactly would I conduct an informational interview?
I'd like to know exactly how I can apply to a business office firm? How exactly would I conduct an informational interview?
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4 answers
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Melisa’s Answer
Hello Samantha,
Great question. Are you on LinkedIn in? LinkedIn is a great resource for connecting with others, following leaders and companies that interest you. I’ve used LinkedIn myself to request an “informational interview” with individuals at a business I want to learn more about. You’d be surprised at how helpful people can be and how willing they are to chat and share more about their jobs and the company they work for.
You could also follow businesses and look for connections on company pages on Facebook, Twitter, IG, and more!
Another idea is to check out the resources on the career pages of companies that interest you. As an example, check out the student resources and information on our AT&T jobs page below.
Best wishes to you in your education and career goals!
Join LinkedIn and check out ways to connect with businesses that interest you at https://www.linkedin.com/
Check out student resources and career information on our AT&T jobs site at https://connect.att.jobs/students
Great question. Are you on LinkedIn in? LinkedIn is a great resource for connecting with others, following leaders and companies that interest you. I’ve used LinkedIn myself to request an “informational interview” with individuals at a business I want to learn more about. You’d be surprised at how helpful people can be and how willing they are to chat and share more about their jobs and the company they work for.
You could also follow businesses and look for connections on company pages on Facebook, Twitter, IG, and more!
Another idea is to check out the resources on the career pages of companies that interest you. As an example, check out the student resources and information on our AT&T jobs page below.
Best wishes to you in your education and career goals!
Melisa recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Firstly, there are many different kinds of office work, e.g. administration, accounting, human resources, etc. You have to think about what you are interested in and whether you have possess the knowledge and skills. You may need to take the relevant subjects as the major in the colleges.
After you graduate from the university, you can search the relevant jobs. There are plenty of recruitment platform online. Linkedin is one of the most popular platform for both employer and employee.
If you are shortlisted and be invited for an interview, I would suggest below :
1. Read the Job Description thoroughly to ensure you understand the job requirement
2. Prepare and practise how to introduce yourself and highlight the knowledge, experience and your character that meets the job requirement
3. Think about any questions the interviewer may ask and prepare your response
4. Prepare 1-2 question s you would like to ask interviewer to show your interest on the opening
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
After you graduate from the university, you can search the relevant jobs. There are plenty of recruitment platform online. Linkedin is one of the most popular platform for both employer and employee.
If you are shortlisted and be invited for an interview, I would suggest below :
1. Read the Job Description thoroughly to ensure you understand the job requirement
2. Prepare and practise how to introduce yourself and highlight the knowledge, experience and your character that meets the job requirement
3. Think about any questions the interviewer may ask and prepare your response
4. Prepare 1-2 question s you would like to ask interviewer to show your interest on the opening
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Updated
Wei’s Answer
Firstly, you have to prepare a pointed CV to your aimed company, which context you have to tie up the requirements. Besides, you can do some research to know what kind of the interview will be proceeded, as some companies like the case study and some like 1*1 interview. Both of the interview model, you have to think ahead.
Before attend the interview, you can do some excise. I know most universities have the service that can provide u some trainings for graduates, eg. edit resume, interview simulating... You can grab the resource and have a try.
Before attend the interview, you can do some excise. I know most universities have the service that can provide u some trainings for graduates, eg. edit resume, interview simulating... You can grab the resource and have a try.
Updated
Matt’s Answer
Great question, Samatha. And looks like you have three solid answers already but maybe I can try to answer the second part regarding informational interviews. Once you narrow down what type of job you're interested in (at least broadly), then you want to look for people on LinkedIn who have or have had similar positions in that line of work. Ask them if they'd be willing to chat live with you for 10 minutes. Tell them you'd just like to pick their brain on what they do and how they got there, what they studied in school etc. Most people will be open to meeting with you. When approached politely, most people wouldn't mind - in fact they'd enjoy - talking to you and giving advice. Secret: we all like talking about ourselves and giving advice.
When you do get time scheduled, here are a few suggestions:
1. Be on time -- call them or start the video conference on time. That shows you value their time and are grateful for receiving some of it.
2. First question right off the bat -- "Is this still a good time to meet for you?" Of course, it probably is or else, they wouldn't have shown up to the call. ;>) Nonetheless, it's just a nice way to start off by reinforcing that you appreciate their time and willingness to meet. It's the best ice breaker there is. Period.
3. Start by telling them just enough about yourself - full name, where you're from, what you're studying and how you're looking to get into xyz area/line of work or school, graduate school etc. Don't ramble, mumble etc. Just a brief intro -- your elevator pitch. (Search for that term, and you'll find plenty of videos on the topic.)
4. After this, it's pretty open -- any of these questions or your own will work: When/how did you decide xyz was where you wanted to work? How did you start? Was it hard breaking in at first?
5. Time check: once you hit 10-15 minutes, mention "Hey, just a time check, I realize we're running over." They'll tell you "Yep, I gotta run or it's okay" etc.
6. Try to get a name/reference to someone else you might talk with or website/article you might read etc.
All of the above are merely suggestions; you don't have to follow them verbatim. Finally, if you can get good at getting informational interviews with people, you'll be so much further ahead of your classmates in your job search. Most folks your age don't realize the value of informational interviews and how they enable you to leap ahead in knowledge and in making contacts within an area. And that's because it's awkward reaching out to a stranger and starting a live conversation with them. It's much easier to text than to engage in an active dialogue with another human being.
Best of luck, and go get some interviews!
Matt
When you do get time scheduled, here are a few suggestions:
1. Be on time -- call them or start the video conference on time. That shows you value their time and are grateful for receiving some of it.
2. First question right off the bat -- "Is this still a good time to meet for you?" Of course, it probably is or else, they wouldn't have shown up to the call. ;>) Nonetheless, it's just a nice way to start off by reinforcing that you appreciate their time and willingness to meet. It's the best ice breaker there is. Period.
3. Start by telling them just enough about yourself - full name, where you're from, what you're studying and how you're looking to get into xyz area/line of work or school, graduate school etc. Don't ramble, mumble etc. Just a brief intro -- your elevator pitch. (Search for that term, and you'll find plenty of videos on the topic.)
4. After this, it's pretty open -- any of these questions or your own will work: When/how did you decide xyz was where you wanted to work? How did you start? Was it hard breaking in at first?
5. Time check: once you hit 10-15 minutes, mention "Hey, just a time check, I realize we're running over." They'll tell you "Yep, I gotta run or it's okay" etc.
6. Try to get a name/reference to someone else you might talk with or website/article you might read etc.
All of the above are merely suggestions; you don't have to follow them verbatim. Finally, if you can get good at getting informational interviews with people, you'll be so much further ahead of your classmates in your job search. Most folks your age don't realize the value of informational interviews and how they enable you to leap ahead in knowledge and in making contacts within an area. And that's because it's awkward reaching out to a stranger and starting a live conversation with them. It's much easier to text than to engage in an active dialogue with another human being.
Best of luck, and go get some interviews!
Matt