Questions when Meeting
When meeting with a contact, it is important to know what you would like to discuss with them in order to take advantage of the time they have given you.
Possible Questions to Ask:
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How did you decide to work in this field? For this company?
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What is your background? How did you position yourself for this field?
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What do you see as the strategic goals for the company? For your department?
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What kinds of challenges do you face in this industry? What keeps your CEO up at night?
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What have you learned through your position? What skills do you typically use?
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What skills are most important to be successful in your organization?
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Do you have any advice for me as I go through the job-search process?
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What are the most difficult problems/decisions/challenges you face?
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Is there anything that has surprised you about this field/company, either positive or negative?
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When people leave this organization, what types of positions do they pursue?
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If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?
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Is your firm currently hiring in the XYZ division?
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[If yes] I would be very interested in applying. Is there a contact that I should follow up with directly, or if I sent you my resume, would you be able to forward it on?
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[If no] Are there other divisions that might have roles that could be a fit with my background and interests? I would appreciate you keeping me in mind if positions surface at your firm in the future or if you hear of other opportunities in this industry that might be a fit.Are there books/trade journals you would recommend that I read to best prepare for a career in this industry?
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Are there any professional associations or conferences that are especially relevant for this industry?
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If you were in my position, embarking on a career in this industry, what companies would you suggest I target?
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Can you recommend other people I might talk to in this industry?
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