Leaving the Military Soon? Employ This Little-Known Networking Tool to Tap Into the Hidden Job Market

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 09:38:38 -0400

As I sit here in my home office, I am seriously trying to recall whether this networking tool was discussed in my TAP workshop. Honestly, I don't think it was. Shame really, because, when I discovered the power of this tool, it increased my chances of "success after the uniform.” At this point, you're probably wondering what I'm talking about. So, here it is: I'm talking about informational interviews.

What exactly is an informational interview? If you are at the point of leaving the military within the next 6 to 12 months, you have probably either started preparing for job interviews or maybe you've already gone on an actual interview. Now it’s time to learn about the informational interview. It can be just the thing that gets your transition moving forward faster!

I stumbled on this little nugget before leaving the military and employed it to gain some information about a few military endeavors I had before leaving active duty. Basically, it is an informal conversation between you and someone who has first-hand details about something of interest to you. What would this look like in terms of transitioning from the military? Basically, you would meet, informally, with someone that is working for a company or in an industry that can give you information you might not know otherwise. Effectively, it is a research method. In this case, your version of Google, is the person with whom you meet.

Let me give an example using a fictional situation at RallyPoint:

Let's say you have a marketing degree and maybe some marketing experience from before joining the military. Now, you are about 2 or 3 months out from leaving the military and you notice that RallyPoint is hiring for marketing jobs. Because you have done a little research or read this blog (wink, wink), you decide to reach out to someone who is already working for RallyPoint in this capacity. You send a friendly direct message asking to set aside some time to talk on the phone because he or she is not in your local area. In that message, you inform the person that you just want to gather information about the job and RallyPoint. He or she happily accepts your invitation to speak and, just like that, you have arranged an informational interview! You make a list of things to discuss with this walking, talking, book of knowledge such as:

• What type of questions does the hiring manager ask during the job interview?
• What do you do on a day-to-day basis?
• How is the work environment?
• What is RallyPoint's company culture?
• Is your boss a good mentor?

After the phone discussion, you now have "insider knowledge" and decide to apply for the job. Because of the information you gathered, you know what type of interview questions to prepare for, what the job is like, how RallyPoint is as a company, and whether your potential boss is a good mentor. If you ask me, besides your qualifications and education, you have everything you need to make a good impression. Not only that, but the person with whom you had the informational interview can serve as your cheerleader from the inside. He or she may even put in a good word with the manager on your behalf, which could lead to you getting the call for an interview before even applying. Yeah, that could happen...it's called the hidden job market.

You would be surprised how many people get jobs without applying for them. The hidden job market is out there and informational interviews are a great way to break into it. Consider that potential co-workers are not the only source for knowledge. Reach out to a management -level contact for an informational interview. Asking the right questions of this individual can give you an advantage in your transition and blow the hidden job market wide open.

Keep in mind that informational interviews are NOT the same thing as job interviews! When arranging informational interviews with potential co-workers or potential managers, do not take this time to ask for a job. That person with whom you are meeting will feel misled because you made the mistake of asking for a job at the wrong time. You do not want to burn a bridge before you even get a chance to cross it.

Let’s recap and fill a few gaps. To successfully setup an informational interview, you should:

1. Find someone that is working for the company or in the industry of interest.
2. Send a friendly email or message that explains briefly who you are and ask to set aside a time to speak with them, either in person or by phone. (Do not expect to have the informational interview the same day you send the email or message. Respect the individual's time and ask to speak at their earliest convenience.)
3. Prepare questions and take notes of the answers given. Those answers could be the key to you landing a job later.
4. Do NOT ask for a job during the conversation. It is misleading and unprofessional.
5. Around 24 hours after speaking with the person, send a thank you email or message, reiterating how much you enjoyed the conversation.
6. Rinse and repeat (with different people/companies/industries).

Remember when Neo tapped into the Matrix? You could be "The One" in your transition if you can master informational interviews and tap into the hidden job market.

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Apr 12 at 2017 10:03 AM

SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 10:03:22 -0400

From the start NETWORKING from my WTU to DDS is what got me working for DOD and let me tell the people you meet through the agency is crazy because it could you old commander or your very first Platoon Sergeant and that has happened to me a few times but what is nice is I still have friends and LEADERS at the SENIOR level of the ARMY who are making the big changes and every once in awhile they call me, for input, crazy but silly, oh me. NETWORKING is the KEY TO YOUR SUCCESS not taught in ACAP or TAPS class it tool we use as humans to get ahead and always know that someone is watching or taking care of us, Best way said for example: I got this resume that I've been working on and I want to show my battle buddy from the Army because he's really good at wording things, well you think he not going to share this resume if it good with other friends of his in the ARMY or retired and when the word gets out, you could end up with up with a nice paying job with benefits that maybe you can relax at a few years or even retire, while there you can start net working a whole piece of the pie as it grows..

TYPES OF NETWORKING YOU MIGHT OF NOT KNOWN.

RALLY POINT
TWEETER
FACEBOOK
ETC.
FAMILY
FRIENDS AND RETIREEIES

Response by SFC Andrew Miller made Apr 12 at 2017 10:29 AM

SFC Andrew Miller — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 10:29:24 -0400

This was stressed in the ACAP/TAP class I went through. If you are a retire, you are eligible to go through again if you are within reasonable proximity of an installation. You might be surprised the things that you missed the first time around.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Apr 12 at 2017 11:32 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 11:32:22 -0400

This is a great idea! I did it by getting to know employees of Government contractors with whom I planned to apply after retirement. It helped me better understand the business and companies.

May not work well with Government agencies if the employee you contact is aware their boss has opened a position for hiring. They may have been cautioned not to talk to potential applicants for fear of generating EEO or union complaints. Don't be too surprised if you get referred to the HR department or hiring manager.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 12 at 2017 5:01 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 17:01:11 -0400

This is such a great idea SGT Private RallyPoint Member! I was already doing this on a smaller scale talking and e-mailing people in fields I am interested in. I need to step it up and start interviewing people in the editing and publishing industries, hint, hint!

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2017 6:24 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Apr 2017 18:24:54 -0400

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2017 8:13 AM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 08:13:57 -0400

100% agree. Informational interviews are vital to the career building process. They are less formal, and provide a great opportunity for a more conversational style interview because there is nothing on the table to lose. As part of our career plan OweYaa.com we have all our candidates schedule and conduct these kinds of interviews. Great stuff!

Response by 1LT Anthony DeToto made Jul 12 at 2017 7:56 AM

1LT Anthony DeToto — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 07:56:19 -0400

Resources you should consider in conjunction with TAP:

USO
http://www.combinedarms.us
http://www.1836veterans.com
The Book: What Color is My Parachute
White Paper: Naive Networking
T-Letter - The Only Cover Letter You Will Ever Need

Home

Response by SPC Todd Rhoades made Aug 15 at 2017 8:41 PM

SPC Todd Rhoades — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 20:41:24 -0400

Wasn't aware of the terminology, but I did this in reverse just a few months ago while at my battalion reunion. I informed command of a labor need in my area that could be easily stepped into by certain MOS and if anyone transitioning out was interested I would hook them up with contacts and a reference.

Response by SFC Johnathan Severs made Mar 19 at 2018 8:22 PM

SFC Johnathan Severs — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 20:22:18 -0400

Service members and their spouses alike should take advantage of the tools out there to help them. Hire Heroes USA is just that and will help prepare you for a career outside of the military. Free and continuous, I can’t stress how important knowing things like informational interviews to resume writing is outside of the uniform.

Spot on!

Learn more at http://www.hireheroesusa.org or inbox me

Hire Heroes USA

Hire Heroes USA is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that empowers U.S. military members, veterans and military spouses to succeed in the workforce.