Chapter 3
Gathering Industry Information

Exercise 3 - Interviewing Industry Professionals

Interview Process
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Tips
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Summary

This is one of the most valuable parts of your research as it connects you with people in the industry that are doing the jobs that attract you. The best way to gather current, local information is to interview professionals in the Industry.  You will need to interview people who are doing or supervising the jobs for which you have interest.  This exercise has a number of values:

1. To get first hand information about the job area.
2. To obtain general information and learn about trends in the industry.
3. To learn what education and work skills are necessary for the job.
4. To establish a professional human network.
5. To learn where industry professionals get their current information.

Defining Process
You will be asked to interview ten (10) industry professionals for this part of your industry research.  This may seem like a great deal of time dedicated to career research, but what these professionals have to say about the industry and the nature of work connected to their careers is important information for you to hear and record.  The steps in obtaining the interviews with these professionals in the industry are:

1. Identify at least ten (10) industry businesses in your community that appear attractive to you.  Have several backups in case the person you want to interview is not available.

2. From the phone book identify the correct spelling of the name of the business, and their address and phone number and copy this information onto your interview form.  At the bottom of the interviewing section is a template for the interview form.  It is suggested that you use the questions on this form in your interviews.  You may add any relevant questions that you think fit your search.  Select one form for each interview and write the company information on it. It is important to have all of this information correct as it will be the basis of writing a thank-you letter after your interview.

3. If you know the job title but not the name of the person working that job, call the switchboard of the business and obtain the name of the person working the job that interests you by asking: "Could you give me the name of the "____________" (job title you are researching)," if when you hear the persons name and you have any concern about the proper spelling of the name, ask the operator if they could please spell it for you. Many ethnic names are difficult to spell and you want to be accurate.

4. Ask if that person is in and available to take a call now. If so ask to speak with them.  If the person is not available, ask for a good time to call back and talk with that person.

5. When the person answers the phone identify yourself:
 "I am "____________", a student in the _____________ Program at ___________ College or University."  "I am doing career research and would like to interview you about your job."  "This interview will only take ten (10) or fifteen (15) minutes and would greatly help me with my career research.

 "What day and time would be best for you?" 

6. Make an appointment and ask them to identify the location where you are to meet.  Thank them for their courtesy and give them your name and telephone number in case they have an emergency and need to change the interview time or date. 

7. Call the day before the interview and re-confirm the interview.  If they have forgotten, this reminder will save you from wasting a trip.  Act as professional as possible when you are conducting the interview, as they will also be evaluating you as you are interviewing them. 
 

Interviewing Tips

•  Wear professional clothing.  It is important when interviewing professionals that you dress similar to the person you are interviewing.
• Make sure you are groomed properly as you may want to use this industry professional as a reference one day and first impressions are important.
• Make the interview professional - don't chew gum or other such casual behavior.
• Ask if your taking notes is distracting to the professional as you interview, it does bother some people.  If so, do the interview without taking notes and stop in the lobby of the business or in your car immediately after the interview and fill out the interview form then.  You will remember all of the important things at that time, if not you can call back later and get a name or address from them. 
• It is advised to never do these interviews on the phone, because the interviewee does not know who you are or what you are up to.  The information will at best be limited and general.  Also do not use a tape recorder as it is unprofessional and the interviewee will not be candid with the information, as they do not know who you are, and what you are going to do with the taped information.
• Thank the professional you have interviewed and explain how important it has been that they took the time to give this information to you first hand. 
• Ask if you may contact this person at a later time for additional information and guidance.  This person could become a great professional network contact that provides you with current information at a later date. 
• After the interview be sure to write a thank you letter to show your appreciation and professionalism.
• Interview form