There are at least 4 major ways you can identify a professional with whom to conduct a career information interview.

1. Networking: Consider how people in your family, social groups, school, job, or community might give you leads (connections) with people in the career you are interested in).

2. Professional Associations: Using the career-related library books and computer databases you learned about in class, find the web addresses of professional associations in your field. Look up their website, identify a contact person in your city, and email or phone that person.

3. Colleges and Universities: Phone, email, or visit the academic department related to your career interest at a local college or university. Tell the person in the department that you would like to find a professional to interview for career information.

4. Telephone Directory: Refer to the Yellow Pages (commercial) or the Blue Pages (government) for your metropolitan area, looking under various key words. Make a list of potential companies or agencies and their phone numbers.

STEP B: THE INTERVIEW. You will need to arrange an appointment in advance.

1. Call to set up an appointment. Explain your purpose. If applicable, mention the name of the person who referred you. If possible, arrange to conduct the interview at the person’s job site.

2. Prepare in advance a list of interview questions, including those related to your specific values and concerns (see handout).

3. Confirm your appointment by phone the day before.

4. Arrive about 5 minutes early. Interview your contact. Be sure to ask for other leads. Adhere to your time limit as closely as possible.

5. Immediately after the interview, mail a hand written thank-you note.

STEP C: THE WRITTEN REPORT. When you have completed your interview, write a summary of your experience. Your report should be 1-2 pages and must be typed and double-spaced. Include the following items. You may either use an essay format or itemize your responses separately. If you choose to itemize, please write your responses in complete sentences.

1. The career area you are investigating (ACCOUNTING)

2. The name, job title and company of the person you interviewed.

3. How you heard about this person.

4. The date and location of your interview.

5, A thorough summary of the information the person provided you (e.g., related to his/her background, the career area in general, the duties and nature of the job itself, recommended education and training, etc.).

6. Your overall impressions (e.g., regarding the process of setting up the interview, how you were received, the work environment, etc.).

7. What you gained personally from this interview.

8. How you now feel about pursuing this career and/or what you will do next.

Suggested Questions for an Occupational Visit

Most interviews will last about 30-45 minutes. Prepare questions ahead of time so that you will have a more productive interview. Be on time for the appointment!

Before you go for a visit, you should become generally familiar with the occupation. Do some research prior to setting up the interview.

Mention WHY you are interested in a particular field.

The following are some questions which are often used in occupational interviews:

1. What is your job like?

What do you do on a typical day?

What kinds of problems do you deal with?

What kinds of decisions do you make?

2. What are the most important personal satisfactions connected with your

occupation?

3. What are the things you like least about your job? Why?

Do you control these things or are they controlled for you?

4. What social obligations go along with a job in your occupation?

Are there organizations you are expected to join?

Are there other things you are expected to do outside of work hours?

5. What things did you do before you entered this occupation?

6. Does any of your previous experience help you?

7. What courses in college helped you most?

8. What was your college major?

9. What sorts of changes are occurring in your field?

10. What does the future look like to you, job-wise?

11. How does a person progress in your field?

12. What are the advancement opportunities?

13. What are the major qualifications for success in this particular occupation?

Personal traits, likes and abilitites?

14. How does your job relate to your lifestyle?

15. What kinds of people do you have to deal with in your job?

16. What is the salary range for someone entering this field?

17. What would be your advice to students preparing for their life career?

18. Is there anyone else in a related occupation with whom you would suggest I

talk?

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