- How do most people enter the industry (field)?
- How did you break into the industry (field)?
- The position I'm interested in is_.
- How strong are my qualifications for it?
- What can I do to improve my qualifications?
- What kind of job am I qualified for that will lead to this position?
- For someone coming in at my level, what kind of career path can I expect?
- What are the characteristics of the people who are successful at this work?
- What are their strongest skills? What do most people find difficult about this work?
- Are there any particular obstacles that you think I might encounter?
- What are the long-term trends that are influencing the industry (field) right now?
- What effect are they having on the position I'm considering?
- How do you see the industry (field) changing in the next few years?
- Where do you think there will be the most growth?
- Are there any particular difficulties that the industry (field) is experiencing right now?
- What professional publications do you recommend that I read?
- What would a realistic first-year income be?
- What could I expect to be earning in 5 years? In 10 years?
Professional Organizations and Trade Shows
Another way to begin a networking process-especially to develop contacts in a particular field or industry-is to join professional organizations and to attend trade shows. Professional organizations hold meetings on a regular basis-some monthly-and will frequently allow you to attend a session as a guest. For information about these meetings, call companies in your locale and get the name and phone number of the local organization's president. Attending trade shows will usually be more productive if you're planning to make a job change at a future time, since you won't be able to meet people until the next event takes place. The professional organization's president will be able to give you information about these functions as well. Contacting this person also presents an outstanding opportunity to get advice about companies to see (see job-search strategy no. 1).
When going to professional meetings, you'll find it easy to meet people and strike up conversations. Many organizations, in fact, schedule time for this networking activity before a meeting begins. To remember the different people you'll meet, plan to note on a sheet of paper, or on the backs of business cards you'll be given, something that makes an impression on you. It could be what someone looks like, a statement the person makes, a question he asks, or a topic the two of you discuss. If you're employed, always bring with you an ample supply of business cards. If you're unemployed, bring several copies of your resume. Be judicious, however, about how many copies of your background you hand out. You don't want to appear desperate. You can always call someone on the phone the following day to continue your networking effort. In the event that you've just moved to a new part of the country, contacting the president of a professional organization will be an excellent way to begin your job search by launching a networking process.
Clearly, the cornerstone of networking is the development of referrals. Your pursuit of these introductions, however, shouldn't be limited to the networking strategies. Consider anybody you speak with, regardless of the strategy that initiated contact, as a source for referrals to other companies. For example, if you're told that your background isn't appropriate for an organization's needs, ask for introductions elsewhere. Or, if a manager sends you a letter informing you that he won't be extending an offer, call to thank him for advising you and then ask if he knows of openings for you at other companies. The suggestions from these managers are especially valuable. Since they have interviewed you, they understand your abilities and personality. They can judge accurately where you will fit in at other organizations. Unfortunately, few job-seekers take these additional steps. This costs them an immeasurable number of interviews and offers.
