KevLibraryGuy wrote:
Lately, my job counselor has been placing a lot of emphasis on networking, and, specifically, on trying to land informational interviews. As if asking a total stranger for advice isn't hard enough, the only avenue for realistically doing so-- LinkedIn-- doesn't let you message people unless you are connected to them in some way shape or form.
It gets worse, though. I have tried asking my former classmates...and I can never get around to asking them. Not only do I feel embarrassed and ashamed to admit to them that, while they've been employed for a few years now, I'm still hopelessly jobless, but I can never find the right words for asking the question of them in the first place.
It's frustrating, it's difficult, it's humiliating, and I hate it. End of story.
If you hate it and don't want to do it, you don't HAVE to do it.
Would it be easier to call people you don't know? With a script you've written yourself?
Something along the lines of "Hi, I'm Bob and got your name from Suzy Q. I'm looking to get into your line of work and am hoping you might be willing to let me buy you a coffee and pick your brain for 15 min".
01 Sep 2015, 2:33 pm
