CareerTalk
MAY 2005 - Getting Great Career Advice - reformatting the information
interview
It's a fact - when you're thinking 'career change', there's no substitute for
talking to someone who is already living your career dreams. But how to find
that someone … and then come away with the insights you need to truly inform
your career decisions? If you've done a few information interviews, you know
how frustrating it can be to go through the whole awkward process and then leave
feeling none the wiser. Meet Karen.
At 26, Karen is a dedicated athlete. A four-year veteran of the competitive
skiing circuit, she's hoping for a few more good years … but she's beginning
to think about transition to her next career. She wants to be ready when the
time comes.
With a degree in geography, Karen enjoys being the weekend weather reporter
at a local radio station. She's hooked on the variety and outdoor locations
. and naturally tuned into the ski reports. She's thinking that a future in
meteorology or applied geography might just be perfect!
After her web research, she's zeroed in on biogeography or climatology. Excellent
choices for Karen as both suit her curiosity, passion for novelty seeking and
interests in science and the outdoors. But how to choose when she doesn't know
anyone in either field?
For many young professionals, the whole information interview step is one they'd
rather skip altogether. They worry about finding the right people and then about
'imposing' on their time when they're not really sure what to ask. While they're
not looking for a job yet, they know one day they might be … and they don't
want to blow it!
They're right to feel uneasy - but less about appearing inept and foolish and
more about learning the skills that surround this valuable strategy. In our
increasingly complex workplace, we all need to be able to find the right resource
people and tap into their experiences as part of our daily problem solving.
Karen needed to talk to people currently working in these fields and (hopefully)
enjoying their careers. We started with biogeography - her favorite.
Our first goal was to find at least 3 people in that field - preferably at
different stages in their careers. Karen's research showed biogeographers as
mainly employed in academia, environmental consulting firms, government departments
and agencies. A brainstorming session produced a list of everyone she knew with
connections to these workplaces.
Her geography professor (5 years ago) suggested a colleague who, in turn referred
her to specific contacts in academia, local businesses and agencies. A family
friend knew someone with Parks Canada - one of her best leads.
In each of these initial encounters the question was " Can you connect
me with someone doing this work who might be willing to talk to me about their
career? Someone who really enjoys their work? Not surprisingly, most people
were co-operative in suggesting good leads. By the time she got to her actual
interview subjects, Karen was able to introduce herself with " I got your
name from" … a great way to open doors!
With interviews lined up, Karen and I turned to the 'heart' of the matter.
What was she really hoping to learn in a very limited time frame? More than
just the facts and figures, she needed to come away with impressions, feelings
and connections … a sense of workplace culture and prevailing values and
a feeling of whether she might 'belong' (or not).
We refined her list of questions, did a mock interview and reviewed the cultural
factors important to her - variety, flexibility, family-friendly and collaborative
environment. We added 3 reflective questions for Karen to think about during
and after each interview: Do I like this person? How am I like (or unlike her/him)?
Would I want to become like her/him?
The Results
Karen interviewed biogeographers in 5 different settings. Although never an
'academic star', she ironically felt most 'at home' in the university setting.
She'd expected rigidity and boring routine. Instead, she met a professor (&
grad students) who were inspired by their research and enjoying a variety of
experiences: field trips, labs, and conferences. She warmed up to their team
spirit and easy-going pace.
Her interviewee enjoyed sabbaticals and maternity leaves and (despite internal
politics), seemed to be living a balanced life. Karen could see herself several
years down the road … and liked what she saw. Although she'd never dreamed
of a Ph.D., the idea was starting to look interesting!
While she felt less affinity with her other interviewees, Karen had liked the
Parks Canada situation - especially the outdoor nature of the work. She'll keep
both academia and Parks Canada in mind as she goes on to explore her second
choice - climatology.
Information interviews can give us the insights we need to make sound career
decisions . but only if we tune into the deeper human messages they offer. People
we admire and relate to (who are also enjoying their work), are excellent predictors
of how we might experience their careers.
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