Job Searches; Interviewing Strategies; Informational Interviewing

Anika Knight & Kelsey Russo-Nixon

July 14, 2021

Where do you find information about JOBS??

Available Resources

​

Professional Societies: �

AGU, GSA, AAPG, SEG, AGI, SACNAS, AISES, AWG, AIPG, IAGD, etc.

​

​

&

Geoscience Empowerment Network

Other resources

Navigating a Networking Event

• Research attendees
• Bring something to take notes
• Dress to impress.
• Use your 30-second elevator pitch to start conversations with employers.
• Network. Talk to fellow job-seekers about employers, possible job openings, and more.
• Follow up.
• Send an email to folks you talked to within 24-48 hours.
• Asking for business cards makes this a lot easier.

​

Be organized

How do you keep track of them all?

​

​

​

​

​

Include

• company name
• contact
• contact’s email address
• date applied
• save the job posting
• application summary
• interview, follow up, status

​

​

How did you find out about this internship?

How do you feel during an interview?

Interview guidance

• Research, research, research!
• 93% of people get nervous!
• 57% of interviewers say they’re looking for a good personality match
• The more you know, the more you can emphasis your positive attributes

Be a good human being!

• Make eye contact
• 60%-70% of the time
• Too much is scary!
• Send a thank you note
• Email 24-48 hours after
• Proofread
• Use it as a final opportunity to sell yourself
• Be patient

Behavioral interview questions

1. Talk about a time when you had to work closely with someone whose personality was very different from yours.
2. Tell me about a time you were under a lot of pressure. What was going on, and how did you get through it?
3. Give me an example of a time when you had to think on your feet in order to delicately extricate yourself from a difficult or awkward situation.
4. Tell me about a time you set a goal for yourself. How did you go about ensuring that you would meet your objective?
5. Give me an example of a time when you were able to successfully persuade someone to see things your way at work.

​

Illegal questions

Anything relating to:

• Age or genetic information
• Birthplace, country of origin or citizenship
• Disability
• Gender, sex or sexual orientation
• Marital status, family, or pregnancy
• Race, color, or ethnicity
• Religion

This doesn’t apply to HR EEO questions

What to do?

1. Decide whether you want to answer. You don’t have to answer illegal employment questions.
2. Know that the employer can’t retaliate if you lie to answer illegal job application questions. (That violates your civil rights.)
3. Get a written copy of the question. If you can’t, write it down and save it.
4. If you decide to report the employer, contact the EEOC office near you.
5. If you still want the job despite the red flags, dodge the question or answer it. Either way, move on.
6. If they hire you, keep a copy of any discriminatory interview questions. If you’re fired later, you may have a legal claim.

Informational Interviewing

• What is an informational interview?
• Meeting in which a potential job seeker (you) seeks advice from a professional on their career, the industry, and the culture of a potential future workplace or position
• What are the goals of informational interviewing?
• Learn information about an industry, a career path, or an employer
• Build relationships and expand your network
• Who should you interview?
• People who are successful in the interested area

​

Preparing/Asking for an Informational Interview

1. Find the right people (we can help with this)
1. LinkedIn is a good start, but send an email
2. Ask for help
3. Be clear
• “I'd love to meet you over a quick Zoom call so I can hear your perspective on this industry and what it's like to work at your company. I’m available next week and would be happy to schedule something whenever is convenient for you.”
4. Have a hook

https://www.themuse.com/advice/how-to-ask-for-an-informational-interview-and-get-a-yes

Preparing/Asking for an Informational Interview

1. Be very considerate
2. Don’t make it seem like you are asking for a job (even if you are…)
3. Follow up
1. Rely on your comfort level, sometimes persistence pays off

​

Informational Interview Request

DON’T SKIP THE SUBJECT LINE: To ensure an email is not questioned or deleted as spam, make use of the subject line. Use this to address your specific need or intention, such as “(RESESS or Geo-Launchpad or USIP) Intern Requests Informational Interview.” An empty or awkward subject line from an unknown email address will be deleted.

INTRODUCE YOURSELF: Take a sentence or two to explain who you are and how you came about getting your contact’s email address. This is especially important for referrals or online directories.

STATE YOUR REQUEST: Explain why you are reaching out for help and describe what you hope to gain from the connection. Include one or two specific questions that can be answered in a response.

KEEP IT SIMPLE: Consider your first email to be an invitation to connect. Once accepted, you can reply with the specifics and offer to send attachments as needed. Do not attach your resume to this introductory email, but have it available if it’s requested.

CLOSE THE SALE: Include your contact information and ask for an opportunity to connect again for a more in-depth conversation.

​

Interview Request Template

Dear [first name],

My name is [your name], and I’m a [job title] who works in [your location]. I’m reaching out because [reason why you want to speak with this person]. I’d love to learn more about [two or three things you’d like to learn from the person].

I’m sure you’re busy, so even 20 minutes would be appreciated.

Thanks so much,

[Your name]

https://www.themuse.com/advice/introducing-the-email-template-thatll-get-you-a-meeting-with-anyone-you-ask

Interview Request Example

Dear Monica,

My name is Aja Frost, and I’m a college student who’s interning in the city until mid-August. Your career path is very inspirational to me: I don’t know very many people who have worked in marketing at Google, Facebook, and Apple. As an aspiring marketer, I’d love to learn more about which skills you’ve used the most and what you’d expect from an entry-level employee in your department.

I’m sure you’re busy, so even 20 minutes would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Aja

Considerations

SPELLING AND GRAMMAR STILL COUNT: Many of us have become accustomed to the shorthand used in texting and instant messages. However, emails, particularly in the business setting, still demand a higher level of professionalism. Spell words correctly and use appropriate grammar, punctuation, and tone.

OTHER TIPS TO CONSIDER:

• Use an appropriate email address. If you wouldn’t use it for a job application, don’t use it here.
• Err of the side of formality. Use capitalization and abbreviations only as necessary.
• Spell check. Spell check. Spell check.
• Mind your manners. Remember that someone is setting aside time for you; don’t forget to say please and thank you.

​

​

Tips for a Successful Interview

• Do your research
• Prepare your questions
• Keep it brief
• Thank you and follow up

Example Questions

“What attracted you to this career path?”

“What previous professional experiences helped you the most?”

“What’s something that would surprise people about your day-to-day?”

“What’s one thing you wish someone would have told you before entering this field?”

“What are some of the biggest rewards in your position? Challenges?”

“How would you describe someone who excels at this career?”

“What’s most important to prepare for a role like yours?”

​

Practice Informational Interviewing

• Think of one job / professional experience / volunteer experience you have been involved in.
• Get in pairs in breakout rooms.
• Informationally Interview each other for 5 min each!
• Come back to the main room to be paired with another partner, repeat!

Bring it all together...

How did it go?

​

Do you feel confident enough to informationally interview someone?!

​

Assignment: Prepare 3 questions for the next two career circles and ask at minimum one of those questions at each session.

​

If you could interview anyone, who would it be?