QUESTIONS TO ASK PERSONS WHO WORK AT THE TARGET COMPANY

 

*  They may give you information as to who to contact within the department where you want to work.

*  Who is the hiring manager?

*  Difficulties the company is having -- problems that need to be solved

*  How the company treats employees

*  Who is the company’s competition?

*  Do any of the people you need to see ever come into the cafe/coffee shop (assuming this is where you are talking with this person)?

*  New directions the company is going so you may see if your skills might fit?

     

GATEKEEPERS - you can meet them in person or on the telephone

*  Your questions here may be much the same as those listed above, if you still need answers to your questions. She/he certainly knows the department heads, hiring managers, sales force etc.                   BE KIND TO THIS PERSON & MAKE A GOOD IMPRESSION

 

PERSONS WORKING IN A DEPARTMENT USING YOUR SKILLS

*  Problems they may be having

*  If they are hiring or might be in the near future

*  Who the hiring manager is

*  Working conditions in the department and company

*  Would they get a resume in the right hands for you

*  Competitors who might be hiring

 

HR MANAGER OR WORKER IN HR DEPARTMENT

*  Questions about vacancies, hiring practices, possibility of a job interview if an opening is there or even if it is not.

 

SALES DEPARTMENT (working on the premise you could do an informational interview with a member of the sales team for important information)

*   Information about the company

*  Who is the company’s competition?

*  Competitors who are hiring of laying off?

*  Problems the company is experiencing.