Knowing networking is critical to their search, most job hunters work hard to arrange face-to-face meetings with contacts. But setting up appointments with all the friends, professional acquaintances and corporate executives you can is just the first step.
More important is knowing what to say once you arrive. Wasting contacts' time is unacceptable, so you should prepare an agenda before each meeting. Decide what want to find out and prepare questions to elicit that information.
To simplify the query-writing process, review the following list of questions. Pick those that are most appropriate and tailor them to fit your situation and speaking style. Form some of your own as well, but don't try to squeeze in too many questions. It's better to leave contacts wanting more than to wear out your welcome. Could you describe one of your typical workdays? What skills are required in your position on a day-to-day basis? What parts of your job do you find most challenging?
What do find most enjoyable? Are there any negatives to your job? How many hours do you work in a typical week? Which seasons of the year are toughest in your job? How would you describe the corporate culture? Use information you know about the company or industry within your questions to show your knowledge base and seriousness. For example, to make No. Is this field growing enough so that there's room for someone like me? Are too many or too few people entering this profession? What developments on the horizon could affect future opportunities?
This industry has changed dramatically in the past five years. What have you seen from inside your company? Where do you think the changes will happen in the next five years? How frequently do layoffs occur? How does it affect employees' morale? Why do people leave this field or company? Who are the most important people in the industry today? Which companies have the best track record for promoting women and minorities?
