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Job Shadowing
| What is a Job Shadow? |
A job shadow is time spent with a person who performs work you may have an interest in doing. Job shadow events provide you with opportunities to gather information on a variety of career possibilities before deciding where to focus your attention. You “shadow,” observes, and "ask questions" of individual workers.
The job shadow learning experience typically is from three to four hours, occasionally a full day. |
| Benefits of a Job Shadow |
- Narrow your career focus.
- Make a career decision.
- “Try on” a job without accepting it.
- Get advice or feedback.
- Learn about new areas.
- Gain understanding of competencies needed for a successful career.
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| When to Job Shadow? |
A job shadow activity takes several hours from your regular work or school and the work of the person you shadow. Therefore, you should only undertake a job shadow after you have investigated career objectives using other methods, such as researching on the Internet/intranet, reading, networking, informational interviewing and coaching.
When you have substantially narrowed down career opportunity areas you would like to explore, you may be ready to “try on” a job with a job shadow. |
| Preparing for a Job Shadow |
- Investigate and focus your career options using various methods, such as researching areas of interest, conducting informational interviews, and networking.
- Do self-assessment activities to identify your strengths, values, interests and skills.
- Call the person in the target area. Be specific about your intent. Make it clear you are looking for information to help you focus on a career objective. Mention how you received the person’s name. Ask if you can shadow the person at his/her office when it is most convenient. Do not pressure your contact into saying "yes".
- Gather information about the department/division. Talk to others and/or read available material.
- Prepare a resume.
- Be prepared with a clear set of questions to ask when it seems appropriate.
- Determine your goals and objectives for the shadow experience.
- Dress professionally.
- Confirm appointment time and meeting place.
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| During the Job Shadow |
- Arrive at designated location on time.
- Begin by thanking the individual for spending time with you. Tell him/her you would like to get information about opportunities in the field to help you narrow your career focus.
- Be professional.
- When you have an opportunity to ask questions, ask the most important questions first, because you must be very careful not to take too much of the person’s time.
- Show interest and enthusiasm.
- Be on time, and don't stay longer than the scheduled time
- Close the shadow by thanking the person for his/her time and valuable information. Ask for the names of other contacts who might offer additional help and whether you can use his/her name as a reference.
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| After a Job Shadow |
- Record the information you received. Treat this effort as a research project with carefully recorded and filed data.
- Always send a brief thank-you note within 48 hours. Include some of the insights you gained from the shadow activity and what you enjoyed.
- Keep in contact with the people you’ve interviewed or shadowed. They’ve invested time in you and your future and will want to know what’s happening.
- Obtain informational interviews with the additional contacts you’ve just received.
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| Prepare some Questions |
Come prepared with several questions, in case you feel you need to fill in "dead time".
- What did you learn in school that helped you most on the job?
- What do you wish you had studied more?· What kind of technology is most important to this particular job? Hardware? Software? Skill levels?
- What skills are most important in performing this job at the highest level?
- What personal traits are important?· Is public speaking important in this job?
- Is writing important in this job? What kind – reports, letters, articles? May I see some examples?
- What education is required to obtain an entry-level position in this occupation?
- Do you have to continue studying to stay current in your field?
- How important is decision-making in your job? What kind of decisions do you make?
- Describe a challenge or problem you have faced and how you solved it.
- Is this job most effective in a team environment or better done independently? Why?
- Who are your customers?
- How important is customer service, and how would you describe good customer service?
- What happens when you make a mistake?
- What is the best part of your job?
- What part of your job do you like the least?
- In your opinion, what is the most important learning I should leave with today?
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