The document provides guidance on conducting informational interviews to help with career planning and job searching. It advises identifying target companies and individuals within those companies to contact. Suggestions are given for creating a target list, marketing plan, cover letter, and follow up after the interview. Sample questions are listed to ask during informational interviews as well as tips for proper preparation, dress, and follow up etiquette. Recommended online resources on informational interviews are also provided.

1. Informational InterviewsVicki S Berg, MBAWoods Chapel Crossroads Career

2. Identify Your TargetWhat companies do you want to target?Are they in your industry?How will they help you?Who within those companies can help you?Hiring managersPeople in a job you would like to do

3. Marketing PlanTarget listInitial list of 50 companiesChemical ManufacturingAshfield Chemical Co.J & J BiosciencesXYZ Chemicals, Inc.Pharmaceutical ManufacturingGarden State Labs, Inc.Merris LimitedR.P. Sloan CorporationConsulting FirmsChemicals Management, Inc.Gilbert Sullivan AssociatesW.G. Pierson Associates, Inc.Sources:Google “company listings” or “business listings” to see a list of sources on the web. Check local libraries for free access to sites.Source Web AddressHoover’s Hoovers.com/listsDun & Bradstreet Dnb.comYahoo Biz.yahoo.com/p/industries.htmlKansas City Business Journal Kansascity.bizjournals.comZip Code 2 Business Zipcode2business.comInformation courtesy of Nancy McPheeters

4. Target Companies:Midwest Section PGA Brad Demo 1960 NW Copper Oaks Circle Blue Springs MO 64015 816-229-6565 www.midwestpga.comCatholic Charities - Catholic Community Services, Kansas Jan Lewis 2220 Central Ave Kansas City KS 66102 913-621-1504 www.catholiccharitiesks.orgAmerican Red Cross, Wyandotte County Chapter Jason Williby 1600 Washington Blvd Kansas City KS 66102 913-321-6314 www.kck.redcross.orgKansas City Shippers Association Ron Almos 333 N James St Kansas City KS 66118 913-281-3337 Hotel and Lodging Association of Greater Kansas City Tom Holden 1600 Genessee St, Ste 603 Kansas City MO 64102 816-421-3646 www.kansascitylodging.orgKansas City Convention and Visitors Association Richard Hughes 1100 Main St., Ste 2200 Kansas City MO 64105 816-221-5242 www.visitkc.comAmerican Institute of Architects Dawn Kirkwood 104 W Ninth St, Ste 101 Kansas City MO 64105 816-221-3485 www.aiakc.orgKansas City Sports Commission and Foundation Kevin Gray 1308 Pennsylvania Ave Kansas City MO 64105 816-474-4652 www.sportskc.orgCatholic Charities of Kansas City Michael Halterman 1112 Broadway Kansas City MO 64105 816-221-4377 www.catholiccharities-kcsj.orgKansas City Metropolitan Bar Association Rae Jean McCall 1125 Grand Blvd, Ste 400 Kansas City MO 64106 816-474-4322 www.kcmba.orgLegal Aid of Western Missouri Gregg Lombardi 1125 Grand Ave, Ste 1900 Kansas City MO 64106 816-474-6750 www.lawmo.org

5. Create Your LetterHas someone recommended you speak to this person?Be sure to mention that person’s nameEasier to get an interview with a recommendation

6. Vicki S Berg, MBAPO Box 1015Mission, KS 66202Vberg1@kc.rr.com918-629-5741 September 15, 2010Nancy DuVallHope House PO Box 577Lee’s Summit, MO 64063 Dear Ms. DuVall,I had a wonderful visit with Bob Glaser last week who suggested I contact you. I am new to the Kansas City area and wouldlike to visit with you for about 30 minutes to get some advice about non-profits in the area. I have been working with non-profitsin Oklahoma for twenty-five years but would like to visit with someone who has knowledge of the Kansas City area. I will callyou next Monday, April 12, to set a meeting at your convenience.Thank you for your time and assistance.Sincerely, Vicki S Berg, MBA918-629-5741vberg1@kc.rr.comwww.linkedin.com/in/vsbergwww.vickisberg.com

7. Create Your Letter (con’t)Create a list of target companiesCreate a generic letter that you can use as a mail merge or create for each companyBe sure to have a target individual within each company

8. Vicki S Berg, MBAPO Box 1015Mission, KS 66202Vberg1@kc.rr.com918-629-5741 September 15, 2010«CEO_or_Executive_Director»«Organization_Name»«Address»«City», «State» «Zip»Dear «Last_Name»,I am new to the Kansas City area and would like to visit with you for about 30 minutes to get some advice about non-profits and associations in the area. I have been working with non-profits in Oklahoma for twenty-five years but would like to visit with someone who has knowledge of the Kansas City area. My goal is to secure a mid-level position as director of administration, business manager or controller. I would appreciate hearing your advice on career opportunities in the non-profit industry, on conducting an effective job search, and on how best to uncover job leads. Thanks so much, in advance, for any insight and advice you would be willing to share. I look forward to contacting you early next week to set up a telephone informational interview. Thank you for your consideration. Thank you for your time and assistance.Sincerely,Vicki S Berg, MBA918-629-5741vberg1@kc.rr.comwww.linkedin.com/in/vsbergwww.vickisberg.comEnclosure: Resume

9. Resume vs Marketing PlanWhether to attach a resume is a personal preferenceIf you are being referred by someone, use your own discretionIf you are sending to someone you don’t know, add your resume but use your marketing plan when talking to them

10. Follow UpAlways follow-up on timeLook at this as a job interviewFollow-up the phone call with a confirmation emailConfirm your appointment a day or two beforeLife changes for you and the person you plan to interview

11. Dress for SuccessFind out about the corporate culture and appropriate dressIs the typical attire jeans and company logo shirts?Is the typical attire business casual?Dress one step above

12. Be PreparedTreat this as you would a first interviewResearch the companyResearch the individualHave your questions readyKnow the information you would like to find out from themYou are not trying to get a job, just get information

13. Sample QuestionsAre you optimistic about the company's future and your future with the company? How is the economy affecting this industry? How did this type of work interest you and how did you get started? What are the most important personal satisfactions and dissatisfactions connected with your occupation? What attracted you to this industry, your company, and your job? What do you enjoy most about this industry, the company, and your job? What aspects of your career have you found most and least rewarding and why? Any regrets? What part of this job do you personally find most satisfying? Most challenging? What do you like and not like about working in this industry? What things did you do before you entered this occupation? Which have been most helpful?Why did you decide to work for this company? What do you like most about this company? From your perspective, what are the problems you see working in this field? What are the major frustrations of this job? Do you have any special world of warning or encouragement as a result of your experience? What do you see as possible next steps for you? How do you value/measure your results and effectiveness? What have been your biggest surprises in this field?

14. Critical QuestionsBased on our conversation today, can you suggest other people who may be able to provide additional information or perspectives to me? May I have permission to use your name when I contact them? Have you heard of any events or developments that suggest a particular company might have a need for someone like me?

15. Follow-Up to the InterviewTreat this as you would a job interviewSend an email thank you as soon as you get homeSend a hand-written thank you within 48 hours

16. Good Resources for Informational InterviewsWhat is an Informational Interview?http://jobsearch.about.com/cs/infointerviews/a/infointerview.htmhttp://www.quintcareers.com/informational_interviewing.htmlhttp://careerplanning.about.com/cs/occupations/a/info_interviews.htm

17. Good Resources for Informational InterviewsInformational Interview Questionshttp://jobsearch.about.com/od/infointerviews/a/infointervquest.htmhttp://www.quintcareers.com/informational_interview_questions.htmlhttp://www.careerchoiceguide.com/informational-interview-questions.htmlhttp://www.careerchoiceguide.com/informational-interview-questions.html

18. Good Resources for Informational InterviewsTips, Tricks and Hintshttp://www.quintcareers.com/informational_interviewing-dos-donts.htmlhttp://www.vanderbilt.edu/career/students/getArticle.php?article=56

19. Contact InformationVicki S Berg, MBA918.629.5741vberg1@kc.rr.comwww.vickisberg.comwww.linkedin.com/in/vsberg