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  8. Maansi Maskai: How to Obtain Informational Interviews

Maansi Maskai: How to Obtain Informational Interviews

Charting your professional journey at a school as multifaceted as Leavey can be simultaneously daunting and exciting. Despite the plethora of professors and other resources available to assist you in your time here, it sometimes may not feel like enough. In that case, it might be worthwhile to consider seeking an informational interview with professionals who work in the field(s) or at companies that interest you.

2022-23

Often, these individuals will be able to provide you with valuable insight that you will not be able to find elsewhere. The real-world perspective they can offer regarding day-to-day work in the company or profession of your choice can help you determine if this is the path you'd like to pursue. Personally, conducting informational interviews has proven incredibly helpful during my time at LSB.

You might be wondering how to identify these professionals … LinkedIn is a great place to start! Input keywords about the company, field, or role of your choice in the search bar to narrow the search to profiles matching your interests (bonus: they went to SCU!). Once you identify these profiles, create a list on a separate document or spreadsheet to keep track of the professionals you have picked out. During this process, I would highly recommend leveraging the SCU alumni network. In my experience, I have found that SCU alumni are much more willing to connect with current students to offer wisdom and answer other career-related questions. 

Once you have a finalized list of professionals you're interested in interviewing, draft a brief message explaining who you are and why you are interested in connecting with them. Be sure to be specific in your message, and if possible, explain how you came to learn about them. Do NOT send a generic message to everyone on your list because this can convey a lack of genuineness on your part. Finally, use LinkedIn or email to send out your initial message. 

Do NOT be disheartened if you do not receive a response right away. These individuals are incredibly busy and have very demanding schedules. As a result, even though they may want to help, your message may slip through the cracks. In my own experience, I reached out to 25 professionals but only heard back from 4. That being said, do not hesitate to send a follow-up message.

Once you've confirmed the logistics of your meeting, prepare a list of key questions or talking points to guide your conversation. This will ensure that you can derive the most from your meeting. Do NOT use this as an opportunity to ask for professional favors. After completing the interview, remember to send a message to the professional thanking them for their time. Good luck!

Good luck with your interviews and if you have any questions, reach out to the Peer Career Consultants by emailing careerconsultant@scu.edu.

Feb 2, 2023
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