{"id":50318,"date":"2019-04-30T11:18:17","date_gmt":"2019-04-30T09:18:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.embl.org\/events\/?p=509"},"modified":"2022-07-29T10:20:39","modified_gmt":"2022-07-29T09:20:39","slug":"6-ways-to-enhance-your-scientific-career-with-networking-and-informational-interviews","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/course-and-conference-office\/2019\/04\/6-ways-to-enhance-your-scientific-career-with-networking-and-informational-interviews\/","title":{"rendered":"6 ways to enhance your scientific career with networking and informational interviews"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Do you want to know how networking and informational interviews can enhance your scientific career? Are you unsure of whether to stay in academia or not? Find out how to use your contacts and professional networking sites to find and obtain the right job for you.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Use your personal contacts<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Use existing contacts to get first hand, tailored information from people who’ve made the transition into different types of careers. You might also be a member of different networks such as an alumni association or a scientific society where you can find people to talk to about their careers, or perhaps you are attending a conference where you can speak to people directly about their experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    1. Don\u2019t be afraid of professional networking<\/strong> sites<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Make the most of what\u2019s on offer, be it LinkedIn<\/a>, ResearchGate<\/a>, Xing<\/a> or other local sites. Search for people who have similar skills or backgrounds as you, contact them and ask if they’d be willing to talk to you about their career. Join groups on these sites to talk to people in similar fields as you are in or want to get into.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      1. Set up some \u201cinformational interviews\u201d<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        An informational interview is an informal discussion about careers where you can get advice and information \u2013 it is not something that will lead to a job but should rather be a source of inspiration and advice. Get in touch with the people who might be able to offer you some sound advice, and ask if they can spare 20 minutes for you to pick their brains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        1. Prepare for your informal interview<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          One way to structure these informational interviews is to use REVEAL*<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n