Questions I Ask During a Networking Call
I am learning that the BIGGEST part of job hunting, and even just cultivating the career that I want, is networking. Shout out to all the socially anxious folks that just tensed up! I promised (as a fellow socially anxious person) it's not that bad. Your network is truly your net worth, and idk about other industries, but the environmental/sustainability (idk which one to call it at times) industry is pretty welcoming. There’s more people willing to connect with you than you think. So to help calm your nerves about what to actually talk about when you finally muster up the courage to schedule a call with someone you want to connect with, here’s a list of some questions I ask. These are question that will really get you the answers that you need about the industry and help you get the specific help that you need as you move along.
1. What Types of projects do you work on in your role?
It’s so important to get a good understanding of what you are getting yourself into and to have a good understanding about the type of work that exists out there. I find this question VERY helpful when talking to someone who works in a role I aspire to work in. Sometimes the job title alone doesn't give enough information about what your day to day tasks look like and you don't want to end up in a situation where you got into a role and hated it (been there, done that). I also find this question helpful when I am talking to someone who has worked in a role I have worked in for a longer time than me. It helps me understand how they articulate the work that I do in a way that shows the value my day-to-day tasks add to the company. Even though I was trying to transition out of a role, I still took the time to talk to people that had been in that role longer than me so that I can collect some good industry jargon and get a better sense of what I actually do. Sometimes we get so lost in the day to day tasks that we don't see the big picture and how our work is viewed by those we work for and this is a way to broaden that view. Speaking well of your skills is how you can get into a new role.
2. How were you able to speak to what you did in your last role to get into your current role?/How did you describe your previous work experience to show the value that you can add to your new role?
You can also ask about how they were able to pivot from Role A to their current role, but in my experience, the way this question is worded prompts the person to give specifics about what they highlighted. Sometimes we don't realize the gold mine of skills and experiences we are sitting on until we hear how people spoke to their skills. I noticed that something really holding me back was not knowing how to articulate my skills. Listening to how folks articulate their skills helped me take a second look at my skills and understand the expertise I bring to the table.
3. What are the most challenging parts of your job?
Again, we gotta know what we are getting ourselves into. Not to say that there won't be challenges in a new job, but understanding specific challenges helps you prepare. You want to show up as your best and what better way to do that then to be ALREADY ready to address particular pain points.
4. Is this a more technical or advisory role?
I learned to ask this question recently in a conversation. The person I was talking to actually asked me if I was looking for a more technical or advisory role. If you are on the more technical side you would possess knowledge of a particular subject relating to technology and could be doing things along the lines of engineering, coding, or data analysis. For a job that is more advisory, you would not need knowledge in a technology topic, but you would be understanding particular pain points within a company to help with creating a roadmap to achieving success. This question is very helpful for knowing the types of jobs to go for where your skills and interests align.
5. How much about the work in the job were you expected to know coming in? Was most of it learning on the job or extensive training.
I have learned that there are some jobs that just want to know if you are teachable and then there are some jobs where they essentially want you to teach THEM. Sustainability teams are pretty new in some companies and a lot of people are building the car while driving in these roles. This is great to understand where you fit in based on how much you know about a particular subject area. You want to make sure you are not going to be putting energy into trying to get a role where you don’t have enough knowledge.
6. What companies and job titles should I look into for positions doing this type of work? Do you know of any open positions?
This is a great question to ask for obvious reasons. I have found that people are sooooo willing to share this type of information with me. They know what it's like to be on this side of things and they are looking for opportunities to pay it forward. Plus taking initiative to reach out to someone to learn more about their work could ACTUALLY put you in line for an interview for a role you didn't even apply for (speaking from experience). Don't be afraid to ask this! You're not a loser begging for crumbs, you are a HIIIIIIGHLY qualified individual looking for a place to contribute to good work being done. Ask this question with that energy. Trust me, the person you are talking to can feel it!
7. What courses or certifications were useful for you to excel in this position?
We love a Forever-Student! Talking to folks in this field and learning that the positions that I wanted required R and/or GIS proficiency led me in the direction of what to learn. That set me up well for some jobs I have held. Understanding the knowledge needed to do the work a role requires and showing up with that in hand when it’s your turn to interview (because your time WILL come) will help set you apart. It’s like getting insider knowledge. Plus I have found that folks I have talked to have been happy to share info on where to find the course and certifications and even if there are discounts available.
8. What was the interview process like for this role and how did you prepare for it?
This question has given me sooo many gems for interviews I have had. Getting into the mind of a hiring manager/recruiter/interviewer is so important. The interview is literally the thing that stands between you and that job you want and knowing what's ahead can help you show up as your best. I have found that some people are really open about their experiences and are willing to give you a heads up on how to even answer certain questions.
9. Is this a more outdoorsy role or a desk job?
If you are like me and would really like a job that gets you outside, consider throwing this question onto your rotation. I learned that an Environmental Scientist at two different companies does not have the same function. At one company they may be performing lab tests and crunching numbers, while at the other they may be hiking in the wilderness collecting samples and doing remediation work. Don’t let the fact that two multiple companies use the same name for a particular role fool you, they are NOT THE SAME!!! Really dig into the WHERE with this question here. You don't want to end up working in an environment that you did not intend to be in.
Pun intended….teehee
10. How is the work that you did in your previous role the same/different from the work you did in this role?
If they are coming from a role that is either similar to what you have done or completely unrelated from the industry this is a good opportunity to listen to how they speak to their past experiences in relation to the work that they do. Take notes here! You will need this jargon for your resume, cover letter, and/or interview. This question helped me understand how folks are articulating their skills and where I was going wrong.
11. What organizations should I look into joining to connect with more professionals in the field?/ Do you know of any upcoming events in the industry?
There are so many circles out there and you don't know what you don't know. Getting into the right rooms to talk to the right people is soooo important. This is more than just for getting a job. This is literally for the rest of your career. Despite some of us being awkward turtles and socially anxious, human beings are social creatures. Having good relationships in the industry honestly makes the space more enjoyable and you will probably end up finding your tribe. It is important to know your peers and be connected with people in this industry because there are so many cool projects going on and you never know when you can get an opportunity to lend some expertise.
12. What skills/experiences on my resume/LinkedIn profile should I highlight that will speak to the value I bring to this type of role?
Like I said before, sometimes we don't know the gold mine that we are sitting on. This job market can really make you feel like everything AND nothing is important on your resume at the same time. From indecisive hiring managers, flaky recruiters, and to poorly written job descriptions, sometimes it’s hard to know what a job is actually looking for. Having someone that is in the industry (especially in a job that you aspire to be in) give intel is really useful!
