Checking our informational interviewing data

Just because we have undertaken study in a particular field to prepare our entry, it does not mean that we necessarily have fit in the field; or that we know the arcane nature of gaining our first position within that sector. Lun notes that our "career-focused majors might not [give us] adequate understanding about [our] career path choice and real-world job opportunities" (2020, p. 1).

In a couple of recent posts we have looked at informational interviewing (here). What we have not yet talked about are some questions we can ask ourselves to ensure that we have had our questions answered by our informational interviewee. However, Lun has done some of the grunt work for us (2020) in studying students undertaking an informational interview assignment. We can apply Lun's methodical approach and can ask ourselves to what degree we can answer the following questions:

1. "I am able to identify the kinds of tasks that could be done in a typical week
2. "I am able to identify the characteristics a person needs to have in this job
3. "I am able to identify the types of advancement opportunities available for an entry-level worker in this career
4. "I am able to identify the hours typical for most jobs in this occupation
5. "I understand how this career could affect my lifestyle
6. "I understand the preparation needed for people in this career
7. "I am able to identify the specialties that are available in this career" (Lun, 2020, p. 3).

They're pretty useful questions to ask. Even better, a list of more reflective questions are provided which we can ask ourselves later; once we have had time to mentally process and digest our interview. We need our "boys in the basement" (King, 1998, p. 120) - our sub-conscious - to work through our impressions, while we get on with other things. Then, once we have enough distance to look back, we will be better able to to understand the tone, the gaps, and what wasn't said. Those questions we work through are (Lun, 2020; NB: "assignment" is edited out):

1. "What is your overall perception of the interview?
2. "How do you think this informational [interview] has helped you to understand the nature of the career in which you are interested?
3. "What aspects of this [interview] were most helpful in guiding your questions and thoughts that added to your increased understanding of the career?
4. "After conducting the interview, how would you say [this] shaped your attitude toward this field?
5. "What was your education plan before this interview [...]? After this [...], what educational goal have you planned?
6. "What was your career goal before this interview [...]? After this [...], what career goal do you have?" (pp. 3-4).

These too are very helpful. 

Sam

References:

King, S. (1998). Bag of Bones. Scribner.

Lun, M. W. A. (2020). Informational interview: Broadening helping field professional students’ perception of employment opportunities in the real world. Journal of Social Service Research, 46(1), 124-132. https://doi.org/10.1080/01488376.2018.1532943