Tutorial 7
- 1. COMM 202: Career Fundamentals: Tutorial 7 Theo Guevara T08 & T15
- 2. 10% of your course mark
- 3. 1. Nailing the Informational Interview 2. Interview Stream 3. Action Items Agenda
- 4. Tutorial: Informational Interview What’s due: • Final Draft of Resume & CL: Nov 6th 11:59pm on Turnitin and COOL Lecture: Interview Prep What’s due: • Networking Event: Nov 13th 6pm – 8pm in CPA Hall. Attend your assigned timeslot! • Info Interview date and time confirmed Last Tutorial: Interview Questions What’s due: • Networking Reflection Assignment: Nov 22nd 11:59pm on Turnitin • Interview Stream by Nov 26th for bonus marks Course Timeline WEEK 10 WEEK 11 WEEK 12
- 5. Networking Event Details • Tuesday, November 13th @ CPA HALL • NOTE: New system this year • If you are in Tutorial 1-10, attend the networking event from 6PM – 7PM • If you are in Tutorial 11-20, attend the networking event from 7PM – 8PM • Delegates will stay for entire 2 hour duration. Please attend your correct time slot, as we will check your tutorial section during sign-in.
- 6. Nailing the Informational Interview
- 7. What’s the Point? • Not sure what to option in? Considering a double option? • Want to know how to get into a certain field? • Want to learn what it’s ACTUALLY like to work in a certain field? Information interviews are an excellent way to explore different career paths, jobs, options and industries
- 8. What Can an Informational Interview Look Like? • In person at a coffee shop or the professional’s office • Over Skype, Google Hangouts • Over the phone
- 9. What Can an Informational Interview Look Like? • In person at a coffee shop or the professional’s office • Over Skype, Google Hangouts • Over the phone
- 10. • Someone you met at a networking event / company information session • LinkedIn network (2nd or 3rd degree connections) • Alumni – leverage the BCC’s network* Who Can You Ask? *For the COMM202 assignment, family members, professors, faculty, current UBC students are NOT allowed
- 11. Story Time! • Going through CPA recruit in second year • Met a Deloitte recruiter • Got really nervous, thought I made a bad impression • Connected via email to get coffee anyway
- 12. Didn’t get the position, but got a really good friend/mentor
- 13. • You’re a student • How you heard about them or know them • What you are looking to learn (their career progression, advice on how to best leverage time at Sauder, etc.) • 15-20 minutes of their time • Close the email by suggesting two times you are available to meet (vs. yes or no answer) • Tell them you’re willing to meet them at a location most convenient for them (near their work, etc.) – do not expect them to come to you Things to Include in the Email
- 14. Activity Time! You thoroughly enjoyed the COMM 202 networking event! Specifically, you are happy because you had a great conversation with Sally, who is a Financial Analyst working at TELUS. Sally shared a lot about the job and what the culture is like at TELUS and you two bonded over playing recreational volleyball. Sally gave you her business card. Partner up with the person beside you (or alone!) to draft a Coffee Chat request email to Sally and include what you would say. I’ll be picking a couple people to share what they have. ☺
- 15. Activity Time! Sally agreed to have coffee with you next Friday. Partner up with the person beside you (or alone!) to draft a 5 different questions you want to ask her. I’ll be picking a couple people to share what they have. ☺ Job/Role Related Common Interest Industry, and or Company Advice
- 17. Do Your Research • Their company • Their major skill sets (job title) • Work history • Accomplishments • Associations • Common interests WHAT TO LOOK FOR • Internet search • LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram (?) • Their personal website • Ask mutual friends/connections • WHERE TO FIND INFO
- 19. Sample Questions • What do you like most about your job and/or field? • What is one challenge you’re currently facing at work? • What do you need to do to become successful in this industry? • How did you get into the industry? • What is PepsiCo doing to adapt to increasingly health-conscious consumers? • What advice do you have for someone starting out? • Who do you look up to? • If you could change one thing…what would that be? • I noticed on your LinkedIn you were part of Leaders of Tomorrow Program last year. I’m in the program this year. How was your experience? Job/Role Related Company/Industry Advice Common Interests
- 20. Upon Arrival • Arrive early! Better to not rush into the meeting all frazzled because of time. • Find a spot and wait, do not buy the coffee first – wait for them to get there. • Don’t know what they prefer, if they have allergies, etc. • If you know what they want, then feel free to buy the coffee! • Be present. Don’t be distracted and on your phone while you wait.
- 22. During the Meeting • Thank them for their time. • Take charge – you’re the one who called the meeting! Remind them why you wanted to meet in the first place. • Bring a notebook, ask if it’s okay to take notes. • Ask questions and listen to their responses fully – don’t feel like you need to ask only the questions you prepared for. The best conversations are those where questions flow naturally. • 15 mins in, ask if they are okay to continue.
- 23. Reminders During the Meeting • Eye contact, smile, handshake, thank you • Dress the part • Pay attention to body language • If you are taking notes, make sure you’re not too focused on the notebook. • Offer your opinions! • Be curious • Respect their time • Who pays?
- 24. Emotional Intelligence • Watch out for signals – have they closed their book or checked their phone? This means they may need to head back to work and you should ask them if they are okay to continue. • Acknowledge that they’re busy and you really appreciate them taking time out of their day for you. • Active listening – essential for having a natural conversation. This looks like: • Maintaining eye contact; not looking elsewhere while they’re talking (DO NOT check your phone) • Asking relevant follow up questions
- 25. Tell Your Story • What you would love to do for companies • What problem have you identified that makes you want to work in the industry • Why you feel it’s important to talk to experts in the field • Use phrases like: ‘I’d like to…’, ‘I believe...’ • Keep it short, positive and focused
- 26. “I Owe You” “Is there anything I can do for you?” Offer them help in some way, and they will be more likely to want to help you.
- 28. Follow Up • Send a thank you email • Thank them for their time • Mention something you talked about • Mention when you will follow up with them next
- 30. LinkedIn – Kind Stranger Story This is after she’s accepted my invitation.
- 31. Outside of Network • Search up those who… • Has previously done the same job • Works in the same company • Works in the same department • Be flexible • Acknowledge they may be busy • Offer phone/Skype/email as options Just reach out! The worse thing that can happen is the person doesn’t Kind stranger
- 32. What if they say no? • Judge the situation… • What position are they? • What type of relationship/rapport have you developed so far? • Offer the option to stay in touch and reach out later • Be patient and think about the long term! VP of HR for Joey Restaurants
- 33. Rest of the story… • Ena got the Sales Co-op job at PepsiCo Sept 2016 • Ena kept in touch with Belinda • Belinda re-joined PepsiCo HR January 2017 • Ena reached out for HR shadowing (as prep to apply internally) • Ena + Belinda becomes co-workers 4 months later
- 34. Maintaining Your Connections • Keep them updated on things you talked about during the chat. • Comment on their activity on LinkedIn (ex. if they got a promotion) • Setting up more coffee chats if you have more questions in the future
- 35. Info Interview Assignment Task: Conduct face-to-face info interview with industry professional Deliverable: two-page summary covering: • Contact details (name, company, title, phone, email) • List of questions asked • Major insights gained – What did you learn during your informational interview? • Did you request/receive any information regarding additional connections? • Follow up action – What will you do to maintain this connection? • What are your next steps having conducted this information interview? • Screenshot of follow-up email Two-page summary Family members, professors, staff, current UBC students are NOT allowed! Due Dec. 14 11:59 PM on Turnitin Worth 7.5%
- 37. Interview Stream – Optional • Good practice tool for interviews • Practice answering interview questions • Go back and review your recording to see what was good and where to improve • 5 general questions will pop up on the screen and then your webcam will record your answer • Will NOT be graded and no one will see your videos. But you can receive 1 bonus mark if used before November 26th! Optional assignment due Nov 26th for 1 bonus mark
- 38. Action items for next week 1. Final Resume and Cover Letter: Due November 6th @ 11:59pm on Turnitin and COOL. 1. Networking Event: Next Tuesday November 13th 6pm – 8pm* at CPA Hall. Final Sign up on COOL. Final reflection due November 22nd 11:59pm on Turnitin. *Go in your assigned timeslot 1. Confirm informational interview date and time. 1. See you in lecture next week (Wed/Friday only)!
- 39. Let’s stay in touch! 1. Email: comm202.10@sauder.ubc.ca 1. Tutorials: feel free to approach me before or after 1. Office hours: available throughout the term as assignments come up Call me maybe?
- 40. Questions? Have a great day!