Brooke Weissert wrote:
have often been told to request informational interviews with
organizations in which I am interested and am trying to use this method
in my current job search. (I have arts/ museum/marketing/pr/development
experience)

Brooke,

This is an excellent method, particularly if you are still a student.
The status of "student" is less threatening. Have the questions prepared
ahead of time. The information could be what their career path was
leading up to their present position. I am always fascinated when you
ask people about this and find that most are not working in the field
they studied. What they like best about their job, what they like least,
etc. The idea is to come away with two new names of contacts.

If you are not a student, then you can do the "cold calls." Have a list
of your target people. Call and tell them you have a 30 second
commercial (or short pitch which is scripted--yes it is a sales call--to
sell yourself). If they are busy they will tell you. If they tell you to
send materials, seasoned sales people would tell you they do not do that
because statistically 86% of the time the other person just cannot say
"No." You can use your judgement. Remember, that the cardinal rule of
sales is a no is just a no, do not take it personallly.  This is not
easy--these are tips I picked up at a recent seminar on "cold calls"
given by  a pro. Sales people do 15-30 calls a day. And we thought
museum work was tough;>)

Terri McNichol
Museum Consultant

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