I’m interested in getting a job at a local college helping college students get meaningful internships. I’ve worked at many high schools doing this exact work, since Big Picture Learning schools all do internships as a primary way students engage in personalized, real-world learning. I’ve also worked with many community college teachers doing staff development. However, I haven’t yet worked directly with college students on finding internships. I am confident my skills are transferable, and my task is to get my foot in the door.
How do you get your foot in the door?
Have you ever wondered about this? I’ve learned over the years that one of the best, most powerful ways to gain access to information or to gatekeepers of influence is to reach out, and to ask questions and be willing to listen attentively to the information given. Most importantly, to then follow up in a timely manner to the advice given. And to say, in a hand written note, thank you.
In short, the goal is to set up Informational Interviews. Thus far, in 2015, I’ve set up two Informational Interviews, and I’ve reached out to four more people at colleges and universities in the Twin Cities, where I want to work, to request a brief moment of their time to ask their advice and learn more about the work they do.
I’ve learned that there are a few keys to getting an Informational Interview. Here they are:
During the Informational Interview, here are a few key points:
After the Informational Interview:
Have fun! And may all your dreams come true!
How do you get your foot in the door?
Have you ever wondered about this? I’ve learned over the years that one of the best, most powerful ways to gain access to information or to gatekeepers of influence is to reach out, and to ask questions and be willing to listen attentively to the information given. Most importantly, to then follow up in a timely manner to the advice given. And to say, in a hand written note, thank you.
In short, the goal is to set up Informational Interviews. Thus far, in 2015, I’ve set up two Informational Interviews, and I’ve reached out to four more people at colleges and universities in the Twin Cities, where I want to work, to request a brief moment of their time to ask their advice and learn more about the work they do.
I’ve learned that there are a few keys to getting an Informational Interview. Here they are:
- Identify specific people with whom you would like to speak, write their names down
- Look around to discover if you have a connection with any of these people (I have used my LinkedIn connections for this)
- Send clear, short emails to the people with whom you have a connection first. Ask them if they would be able to meet with you, in person, to answer a few questions and give insight on the topic you want to learn about. In the email, suggest 2 or 3 times you could meet with them. Offer to come to where they are.
- Once the Informational Interview is set up, spend some time learning about the organization where the person works. In addition, prepare a list of the questions you have. Prioritize the questions
During the Informational Interview, here are a few key points:
- Be sure you arrive early to the place you are meeting. Budget time to park your car and have enough time to walk to where you are meeting.
- Have a notebook and pen with you, along with your list of questions.
- Bring a few copies of your resume, just in case.
- Ask your questions, and listen attentively. Jot down a few notes as they talk.
- At the end, ask if there is anyone else they suggest that you talk with. If so, ask if they would be willing to introduce you to those people via email.
- Keep track of the time, and be sure to wrap things up in 30 minutes or less.
- Thank them for spending the time with you.
After the Informational Interview:
- Immediately handwrite a thank you note and get it in the mail.
- Follow up on all the suggestions they gave you that also make sense to you.
- If they forgot to connect you with someone they said they would, send a kind reminder email asking them to connect you.
Have fun! And may all your dreams come true!