1
COMM 202
Career Fundamentals
T23 & T30
Lyndan Lam
Name tags up!
INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS
2
Today’s Agenda
1. TA Feedback Review
2. Informational Interviews
3. Interview Stream
4. Action Items
3
Where We are Today
Week 10 Week 12Week 11
• Tutorial: Informational Interviews
• What’s due: Resume & Cover Letter
Assignment due on Mar 12th at
11:59pm on Turnitin and COOL
• Networking Event on Mar 13th
6-8pm in CPA Hall
• Lecture: Interview Prep
• What’s due:
• Have your info interview date and
time confirmed
• Networking reflection due March
21st @ 11:59PM on Turnitin
• Last tutorial: Employment interview
questions
• Due (optional for bonus mark):
Interview stream by Apr 2nd @
11:59pm
4
1. TA Feedback Review
5
Thanks for Your Feedback! – T23
Moving forward, I will
START
CONTINUE
STOP
• Group activities/class discussions
• Class resources and news
• Setting up more one-one-one time for feedback
• Uploading slides earlier*
• Adding slides with opportunities for students
• Weekly email + quick email responses
• Timeline for what’s coming up & due
• Being friendly and engaging
• Questions during attendance
• Providing feedback (when asked by students)
• Skips tutorial for Sauder Summit…lololol
6
Thanks for Your Feedback! – T30
Moving forward, I will
START
CONTINUE
STOP
• Specific assignments details + examples
• Sharing more of my experiences
• Posting slides before class*
• More office hours
• Adding slides with opportunities for students
• Attendance questions
• Weekly emails + quick email responses
• Being friendly and engaging
• Songs with ads – get Spotify Premium…lololol
• Scaring you ??
• Speaking fast
7
2. Informational Interviews
aka coffee chats
8
What’s the Point of Informational Interviews?
• Not sure what to option in? Considering
a double option?
• Want to know how to get into a certain
field?
• Want to learn what its ACTUALLY like to
work in a certain field?
Informational interviews are an excellent
way to explore different career paths,
jobs, options and industries
9
What Can an Informational Interview Look Like?
1. In person at a coffee shop or the
professional’s office
2. Over Skype, Google Hangouts
3. Over the phone
10
Story Time! My Informational Interview Experience
11
How to nail your
informational interview
12
Things to Include in the Email
• You’re a student
• How you heard about them or know them
• What you are looking to learn (their career
progression, advice on how to best leverage time at
Sauder, etc.)
• 20 minutes of their time
• Close by suggesting two times you are available to
meet
• Tell them you’re willing to meet them at a location
most convenient for them (near their work, etc.)
13
Reaching Out for a Coffee Chat
This was the personalized LinkedIn invitation note (300
character limit)
14
Her Response
15
Do Your Research Before Meeting
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
• Their company
• Know their major skill sets
• Work history
• Accomplishments
• Associations
• Common interests
WHERE TO FIND INFO
• Internet search
• LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram(?)
• Their personal website
• Ask mutual contacts
16
Have Questions Prepared
Job/Role Related
Advice
Common Interests
Industry/Company
17
Sample Questions
• How did you get into the industry?
• What do you like most about your job and/or field?
• What is one challenge you’re currently facing at work?
• What do you need to do to become successful in this industry?
• How do you think Walmart Scan & Go is going to impact the confectionary category?
• Noticed that you are an active volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters. I’ve also been
a volunteer with Big Sisters in the past and am curious to learn more about what your
experience was like.
• What should I be reading?
• What advice do you have for someone starting out?
Job/Role Related
Company/
Industry
Common
Interest
Advice
18
Things to do During the Meeting
1. Thank them for their time
2. Take charge – you’re the one who called the
meeting. Remind them why they are here
3. Bring a notebook, ask if it’s ok if you take notes, take
notes
4. Ask questions and listen to their responses fully –
don’t feel like you need to ask only the questions
you prepared for. The best conversations are those
where questions flow naturally
5. 15 mins in ask if they are okay to continue
19
During the Meeting Reminders
• Eye contact, smile, handshake, thank you
• Dress the part
• Pay attention to body language
• Bring a notebook and take notes
• Offer your opinions
• Be curious
• Respect their time
• Who pays?
20
Emotional Intelligence During the Meeting
• Watch out for signals – have they closed their book or checked their phone? This means they may need to head back
to work and you should ask them if they are okay to continue
• Acknowledge that they’re busy and you really appreciate them taking time out of their day for you
• Active listening – essential for having a natural conversation. This looks like:
– Maintaining eye contact; not looking elsewhere while they’re talking
– Asking relevant follow up questions to what they say
21
Tell Your Story
• What you would love to do for companies
• What problem have you identified that makes you want to
work in the industry
• Why you feel it’s important to talk to experts in the field
• Use phrases like: ‘I like to…’, ‘I believe...’
• Keep it short, positive and focused
22
The Magic “I Owe You”
“Is there anything I can
do for you?”
Offer them help in some
way, and they will be
more likely to want to
help you.
23
Following Up
• Send a thank you email
• Thank them for their time
• Mention something you talked about
• Mention when you will follow up with them next
24
Sample Follow Up
Her response:
25
The Rest of the Story
• Valerie ended up forwarding my resume to HR
• During this time she also forwarded me other marketing job openings she knew of from recruiters
• I got a first round interview with Nestlé – worked hard to continue to next rounds
• Stayed in touch throughout the recruitment process to keep Val updated
• Got the job in the end 
26
3. Interview Stream
27
Interview Stream – Optional Assignment + Practice Tool
• Practice answering interview questions
• Go back and review your recording to see
what was good and where to improve
• 5 general questions will pop up on the screen
and then your webcam will record your
answer
• Will NOT be graded and no one will see your
videos. But you can receive 1 bonus mark if
used before Apr 2nd!
Optional
assignment
due Apr 2nd
for 1 bonus
mark
Don’t let this happen to you!
28
4. Action Items
29
Action Items
1. Set up informational interview (if not done
already)
2. Networking Reflection due March 21st @
11:59pm on Turnitin
3. Lecture Next Week!
30
Opportunities to Check Out!
Competitions
• InnoHacks 2018 by IdeasXChange – product development case competition
Executive Team Hiring
• Young Women in Business UBC
• UBC Marketing Association
• UBC BizTech
• Brand Management Mentorship Program*
Events/Conferences
• Human Resources Management Club (HRMC): Option Insider Workshop
• Supply Chain Club: Neptune Bulk Terminals Tour
• Pacific Venture Capital Competition & Conference
• BizzComm Speakout Event: Dare to Dream
• UBC BizTech x Accenture x SAP: Tech in Careers Night
• UBC eProjects Start Up Crawl
and many more!
31
Questions? Here’s How You Can Get in Touch with Me
Email: comm202.6@sauder.ubc.ca
Tutorials: feel free to approach me before or after
Office hours: available throughout the term as
assignments come up
Call me
maybe?
32
Thanks &
see you next week
(at lecture)

Tutorial 6 - Lyndan

  • 1.
    1 COMM 202 Career Fundamentals T23& T30 Lyndan Lam Name tags up! INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS
  • 2.
    2 Today’s Agenda 1. TAFeedback Review 2. Informational Interviews 3. Interview Stream 4. Action Items
  • 3.
    3 Where We areToday Week 10 Week 12Week 11 • Tutorial: Informational Interviews • What’s due: Resume & Cover Letter Assignment due on Mar 12th at 11:59pm on Turnitin and COOL • Networking Event on Mar 13th 6-8pm in CPA Hall • Lecture: Interview Prep • What’s due: • Have your info interview date and time confirmed • Networking reflection due March 21st @ 11:59PM on Turnitin • Last tutorial: Employment interview questions • Due (optional for bonus mark): Interview stream by Apr 2nd @ 11:59pm
  • 4.
  • 5.
    5 Thanks for YourFeedback! – T23 Moving forward, I will START CONTINUE STOP • Group activities/class discussions • Class resources and news • Setting up more one-one-one time for feedback • Uploading slides earlier* • Adding slides with opportunities for students • Weekly email + quick email responses • Timeline for what’s coming up & due • Being friendly and engaging • Questions during attendance • Providing feedback (when asked by students) • Skips tutorial for Sauder Summit…lololol
  • 6.
    6 Thanks for YourFeedback! – T30 Moving forward, I will START CONTINUE STOP • Specific assignments details + examples • Sharing more of my experiences • Posting slides before class* • More office hours • Adding slides with opportunities for students • Attendance questions • Weekly emails + quick email responses • Being friendly and engaging • Songs with ads – get Spotify Premium…lololol • Scaring you ?? • Speaking fast
  • 7.
  • 8.
    8 What’s the Pointof Informational Interviews? • Not sure what to option in? Considering a double option? • Want to know how to get into a certain field? • Want to learn what its ACTUALLY like to work in a certain field? Informational interviews are an excellent way to explore different career paths, jobs, options and industries
  • 9.
    9 What Can anInformational Interview Look Like? 1. In person at a coffee shop or the professional’s office 2. Over Skype, Google Hangouts 3. Over the phone
  • 10.
    10 Story Time! MyInformational Interview Experience
  • 11.
    11 How to nailyour informational interview
  • 12.
    12 Things to Includein the Email • You’re a student • How you heard about them or know them • What you are looking to learn (their career progression, advice on how to best leverage time at Sauder, etc.) • 20 minutes of their time • Close by suggesting two times you are available to meet • Tell them you’re willing to meet them at a location most convenient for them (near their work, etc.)
  • 13.
    13 Reaching Out fora Coffee Chat This was the personalized LinkedIn invitation note (300 character limit)
  • 14.
  • 15.
    15 Do Your ResearchBefore Meeting WHAT TO LOOK FOR • Their company • Know their major skill sets • Work history • Accomplishments • Associations • Common interests WHERE TO FIND INFO • Internet search • LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram(?) • Their personal website • Ask mutual contacts
  • 16.
    16 Have Questions Prepared Job/RoleRelated Advice Common Interests Industry/Company
  • 17.
    17 Sample Questions • Howdid you get into the industry? • What do you like most about your job and/or field? • What is one challenge you’re currently facing at work? • What do you need to do to become successful in this industry? • How do you think Walmart Scan & Go is going to impact the confectionary category? • Noticed that you are an active volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters. I’ve also been a volunteer with Big Sisters in the past and am curious to learn more about what your experience was like. • What should I be reading? • What advice do you have for someone starting out? Job/Role Related Company/ Industry Common Interest Advice
  • 18.
    18 Things to doDuring the Meeting 1. Thank them for their time 2. Take charge – you’re the one who called the meeting. Remind them why they are here 3. Bring a notebook, ask if it’s ok if you take notes, take notes 4. Ask questions and listen to their responses fully – don’t feel like you need to ask only the questions you prepared for. The best conversations are those where questions flow naturally 5. 15 mins in ask if they are okay to continue
  • 19.
    19 During the MeetingReminders • Eye contact, smile, handshake, thank you • Dress the part • Pay attention to body language • Bring a notebook and take notes • Offer your opinions • Be curious • Respect their time • Who pays?
  • 20.
    20 Emotional Intelligence Duringthe Meeting • Watch out for signals – have they closed their book or checked their phone? This means they may need to head back to work and you should ask them if they are okay to continue • Acknowledge that they’re busy and you really appreciate them taking time out of their day for you • Active listening – essential for having a natural conversation. This looks like: – Maintaining eye contact; not looking elsewhere while they’re talking – Asking relevant follow up questions to what they say
  • 21.
    21 Tell Your Story •What you would love to do for companies • What problem have you identified that makes you want to work in the industry • Why you feel it’s important to talk to experts in the field • Use phrases like: ‘I like to…’, ‘I believe...’ • Keep it short, positive and focused
  • 22.
    22 The Magic “IOwe You” “Is there anything I can do for you?” Offer them help in some way, and they will be more likely to want to help you.
  • 23.
    23 Following Up • Senda thank you email • Thank them for their time • Mention something you talked about • Mention when you will follow up with them next
  • 24.
  • 25.
    25 The Rest ofthe Story • Valerie ended up forwarding my resume to HR • During this time she also forwarded me other marketing job openings she knew of from recruiters • I got a first round interview with Nestlé – worked hard to continue to next rounds • Stayed in touch throughout the recruitment process to keep Val updated • Got the job in the end 
  • 26.
  • 27.
    27 Interview Stream –Optional Assignment + Practice Tool • Practice answering interview questions • Go back and review your recording to see what was good and where to improve • 5 general questions will pop up on the screen and then your webcam will record your answer • Will NOT be graded and no one will see your videos. But you can receive 1 bonus mark if used before Apr 2nd! Optional assignment due Apr 2nd for 1 bonus mark Don’t let this happen to you!
  • 28.
  • 29.
    29 Action Items 1. Setup informational interview (if not done already) 2. Networking Reflection due March 21st @ 11:59pm on Turnitin 3. Lecture Next Week!
  • 30.
    30 Opportunities to CheckOut! Competitions • InnoHacks 2018 by IdeasXChange – product development case competition Executive Team Hiring • Young Women in Business UBC • UBC Marketing Association • UBC BizTech • Brand Management Mentorship Program* Events/Conferences • Human Resources Management Club (HRMC): Option Insider Workshop • Supply Chain Club: Neptune Bulk Terminals Tour • Pacific Venture Capital Competition & Conference • BizzComm Speakout Event: Dare to Dream • UBC BizTech x Accenture x SAP: Tech in Careers Night • UBC eProjects Start Up Crawl and many more!
  • 31.
    31 Questions? Here’s HowYou Can Get in Touch with Me Email: comm202.6@sauder.ubc.ca Tutorials: feel free to approach me before or after Office hours: available throughout the term as assignments come up Call me maybe?
  • 32.
    32 Thanks & see younext week (at lecture)