“Finding Hidden Job Opportunities”: Using “Informational Interviews” To Build Your Network and Discover Unadvertised Jobs

Recent studies show that fifty percent of the time people find a job through a personal contact. Surprisingly, however, more than 80% of the time, those people found their jobs not through close contacts (spouse, relative, best friend, close business contact), but through someone they vaguely knew – a mere acquaintance or distant contact – actually got better jobs, because they were exposed to opportunities they would have never known about and to connections further afield. The Informational Interview is one of the most powerful and direct ways to expand your network of “weak links.”

In this entertaining and practical 35 minute presentation, learn to get and use Informational Interviews to:

• Gain access to the hidden job market
• Expand your network of contacts in your field of interest for future opportunities
• Gather valuable insight from information industry professionals on career planning, industry changes and job search strategies
• Discover the “realities” of a specific Information Services career field and what it is really like to work in a given role or segment
• Evaluate whether a career or segment is compatible with your skills, interests, lifestyle and goals
• Receive specific suggestions on how and where to acquire the experience and knowledge required
• Develop confidence in interviewing with professionals by discussing your interests and goals
• Gain referrals to other professionals in the same field for additional networking

Date & Time: March 16, 2011    4:00 – 5:00 p.m.                                                                       Place: University of Toronto, Faculty of Information, Room 728, 140 St. George Street, Toronto   Light Refreshments! Free Admission.

This event is jointly presented by: ExLibris Association; University of Toronto Faculty of Information Alumni Association; Faculty of Information Life and Times Committee