SHADOWING & INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWING

WORKFORCE READINESS:

EXPLORE | EXPERIENCE | ENGAGE | EMERGE

Career Development Benedictine University 5700 College Road, Lisle, IL 60532 (630) 829-6040 (630) 829-6043 fax [email protected] www.ben.edu/career

Job Shadowing

Job Shadowing is an invaluable research tool to learn about a career field of interest and to gain a real life perspective of what it is like to engage in that type of work and be exposed to a particular work setting. Shadowing also provides the opportunity to connect and network with people in a career field of interest. Students get the opportunity to visit a work site, observe (shadow) the worker, ask questions, engage in discussion, take a tour of the work site and often sit in on meetings and other relevant work activities. A typical job shadowing experience set up by the Career Development Office is one full day or two partial days.

In terms of guidelines of a job shadowing experience, below outlines the role of the student and the work site host:

Role of the Benedictine Student/Graduate  Expresses desire to explore career options and engage in a job shadowing experience to aid in deciding on a career path/major.  Prepares for the job shadowing encounter in advance by researching the career and and formulating relevant questions for the work host.  Actively participates in activities scheduled by the work host.  Conducts themselves with professionalism, using professional communication and following all policies and procedures of the employer. Examples could be confidentiality, dress code, safety, security, etc.

Role of the Professional/ Work Site Host  Shows interest in working with student/graduate and introduces them to the various aspects of their work.  Is willing to dedicate part of their workday to the student and be present with them throughout that period of time. (specified period of time will be agreed upon in advance between the Career Development Office and employer)  Provides students with explanations of workplace safety and procedures where appropriate.  Helps students understand skills, qualities, education/training needed for the job

Informational Interviewing

Like Job Shadowing, Informational Interviewing is an invaluable career research and networking tool. It provides you with the opportunity to gain valuable “inside information” about a career, organization or an industry. It can also be used as a networking tool to meet a professional in your field and obtain advice, ideas and referrals to assist in building your career plans for the future and in strengthening your job or search. A typical informational interview involves visiting an individual at their work site and interviewing them for 30 minutes to an hour. An informational interview can also be conducted via phone or skype.

In terms of guidelines of an informational interview, below outlines the role of the student and the professional.

Role of the Benedictine Student/Graduate  Expresses desire to explore career options and learn more about a field of interest, organization or industry that will aid in deciding on a career path/major.  Prepares for the informational interview in advance by researching the career and organization, formulating relevant questions, and directing the flow of questions for the interview.  Conducts themselves with professionalism, using professional communication and following all policies and procedures of the employer. Examples could be confidentiality, dress code, safety, security, etc.

Career Development Office | Krasa, 010 | 630.829.6041 | [email protected] | www.ben.edu/career page 2

 Never turns the conversation into a , or asks for a job. Remember, the primary purpose of the interview is to investigate the career and obtain information to assist you with your career and/or job search endeavors.

Role of the Professional/ Work Site Host  Shows interest in meeting with student/graduate and introduces them to the various aspects of their work.  Is willing to dedicate part of their work day to answering questions and sharing information. (specified period of time will be agreed upon in advance between the Career Development Office and employer)  Provides students with information relevant to career and job alternatives, and helps them understand skills, qualities, education/training needed for the job  Is willing to share referrals for networking purposes and advice to assist in their career planning and/or job or internship search.

Preparation for a Job Shadowing Experience or Informational Interview

Before the Job Shadow/Informational Interview • Learn as much as possible about the career path and organization. • Carefully compose relevant questions you would like to ask. • Dress professionally, according to the organization’s dress code. First impressions count! • Bring a copy of your resume for an informational interview, but only distribute it upon request. • Arrive at least 10 minutes before the job shadow/interview.

During the Job Shadow/Informational Interview • Actively participate/engage in activities that are a part of the job shadowing experience. • Take the lead and direct the conversation or interview process and ask your list of relevant questions. • Create a good rapport by being an interested and active listener. • Adhere to all policies of the organization and to the time that was agreed upon. • Remember this is not a job interview. It is a chance for you to gather information and advice. • Let the interviewer bring up the topic of openings within the company if applicable. • Toward the end of the interview, ask for pointers/advice and additional contacts who may be helpful • Collect a business card from the individual(s) you met.

After the Job Shadow/Informational Interview • Take detailed notes about the information gathered and review the information. • Send a thank-you note within 24-48 hours of your interview. You may send an emailed thank you note or a handwritten note card. The thank you note can be short, the length of a typical note card or several paragraphs for an emailed note, and should thank the person for their time and address what you gained from the experience. • Extend a personalized invitation on LinkedIn to have that person connect with you. • Follow up with the person periodically to let them know about your progress

Sample Questions to ask at Job Shadow or Informational Interview

 What is your job title?  What are your responsibilities?  What is a typical day like for you?  Why did you choose this career? How did you become interested in this field?  Tell me about your educational background?  What do you think is the best/appropriate educational preparation for this career?  If an advanced degree was required, how competitive was it to get into grad school?

Career Development Office | Krasa, 010 | 630.829.6041 | [email protected] | www.ben.edu/career page 3

 How tough was graduate school?  Does a person in your line of work need a license or special credential?  What career path did you follow to get to this point in your career? Has your career progress been planned or affected by external factors?  What are the education, skills, and work experience requirements for your position?  How do you help your organization meet its goals?  What do you like most about your job? What do you like least? Why?  What part of your job do you find most challenging and why?  What are some specific skills or personal attributes that allow someone to be successful in this career?  What knowledge did you lack, but wish you had, when you began this job?  When do you need to use good oral communication skills?  How do you use writing skills on the job?  What kind of problems are you faced with on the job? What skills do you need to solve these problems?  What is the role of technology in your organization? How do you use it specifically?  What do you expect in terms of the future of this field? Will any additional exist in the future that don’t exist today?  What advice do you have for someone who may be exploring this career or getting into this field?  If you were to start over, would you choose the same career path? A different path? What would you do differently?  Can you suggest other professionals in the field who might be helpful to me?

Sample Thank You Note:

February 26, 2015

Dear Mr. Jones,

Thank you so much for the opportunity to shadow you at work yesterday. It was a pleasure meeting you and your colleagues and learning more about the field of law. After shadowing you and having the opportunity to discuss your career in more detail, I have become more excited at the possibility of becoming a lawyer someday. Your areas of specialty in health law and working with the elderly are particular interesting for me and ones that I plan to consider in the future.

Thank you again for your time and insight into this profession. The experience will help me a great deal as I continue to weigh my options and decide on a career path.

Best regards,

Julie Smith

**In addition to connections provided by the Career Development Office, Benedictine students are encouraged to pursue their own job shadowing and informational interviewing opportunities by connecting with Benedictine faculty, staff, fellow students and alumni, and other members of the community using LinkedIn, the Office of Alumni Development and through their own personal and professional network.

Career Development Office | Krasa, 010 | 630.829.6041 | [email protected] | www.ben.edu/career page 4

Job Shadowing/Informational Interview Request Form Career Development Center

Please complete and return this form to Career Development. Name: Date:

Email: Phone:

Student ID Major: number: Graduation Date (completed or expected):

Occupational area(s) of interest: 1. 2.

3. 4.

Received Job Shadowing & Informational Interview Guidelines Handout: ______(initials)

FOR OFFICE USE ONLY: Notes:

Shadowing/Informational Interview Completed:

Name of Organization Contact Person Name & Contact Info Date 1.

2.

3.

4.

Career Development Office | Krasa, 010 | 630.829.6041 | [email protected] | www.ben.edu/career page 5