What Is an Informational Interview?
An informational interview is an informal conversation where you proactively reach out to industry professionals, requesting 15-30 minutes of their time to learn about their career experiences, industry insights, and advice. This is NOT a job interview - your goal is to learn and build connections, not to directly ask for a job.
"The informational interview is one of the most underutilized tools in the job search process. It allows you to learn about an industry without pressure while building connections that may help you in the future."
— NYU Wagner Career Services
Gain Industry Insights
Learn about industry trends, daily work, and career paths to make more informed career decisions.
Build Professional Network
Connect with industry professionals, expand your network, and pave the way for future opportunities.
Get Career Advice
Receive valuable advice on job searching, skill development, and career planning from experienced professionals.
How to Request an Informational Interview
Find the Right Contact
Find professionals working at target companies or industries through LinkedIn, alumni networks, or industry events. Prioritize alumni, second-degree connections, or people with shared backgrounds.
Send a Request Email
Send a concise, professional email explaining who you are, why you're reaching out, and what you'd like to learn. Be clear that you only need 15-20 minutes of their time.
Prepare Your Questions
Prepare 5-8 thoughtful questions in advance. Research the person's background and company. Don't ask questions you could easily Google.
Conduct the Interview
Be on time, listen carefully, and take notes. Stay within the agreed time. Before ending, ask if you can stay in touch.
Follow Up with Thanks
Send a thank-you email within 24 hours, mentioning specific points from your conversation. If they recommended others, reach out promptly and mention who referred you.
Request Email Template
Subject: Stanford Student Seeking Career Advice in Product Management
Dear [Name],
My name is [Your Name], and I'm a senior at Stanford studying Computer Science. I found your profile on LinkedIn and was impressed by your career journey from software engineer to product manager at [Company].
I'm currently exploring career paths in product management and would love to learn from your experience. Would you be willing to spare 15-20 minutes for a brief phone call or virtual coffee chat? I'm particularly interested in hearing about:
- How you transitioned from engineering to product management
- What skills are most valuable in your current role
- Any advice for someone starting their career in this field
I understand you're busy, so I'm happy to work around your schedule. I'm available [suggest a few time slots] but can adjust to whatever works best for you.
Thank you for considering my request. I really appreciate your time.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your LinkedIn URL]
[Your Phone Number]
- • Explain who you are and how you found them
- • State why you're reaching out (be specific)
- • Be clear about what you want to learn
- • Respect their time (only ask for 15-20 minutes)
- • Offer flexible scheduling options
Questions to Ask
Preparing thoughtful questions is key to a successful informational interview. Here are sample questions organized by category that you can select and adapt based on your needs:
Career Path
- How did you get into this industry?
- What has your career path looked like?
- If you could start over, what would you do differently?
- What's the typical career progression in this field?
Day-to-Day Work
- What does a typical day look like for you?
- What's the most challenging part of this job?
- What do you enjoy most about your work?
- What skills and qualities are needed for this role?
Industry Insights
- What are the biggest challenges facing this industry?
- How do you see this industry evolving in the next 5 years?
- What emerging trends should newcomers pay attention to?
- What resources would you recommend for learning about this industry?
Job Search Advice
- What advice would you give someone trying to enter this field?
- What experiences or skills do you think are most valuable?
- When hiring, what qualities do you look for in candidates?
- Can you recommend anyone else I should speak with?
During the Interview: Do's and Don'ts
Do
- Start on time and stay within the agreed duration
- Listen carefully and take notes
- Show that you've done your research
- Ask thoughtful, specific questions
- Ask if you can stay in touch before ending
- Ask if they can recommend others to speak with
Don't
- Directly ask for a job or referral
- Ask questions you could easily Google
- Dominate the conversation without letting them speak
- Exceed the agreed time limit
- Only talk about yourself without showing interest in them
- Show up unprepared
Post-Interview Follow-Up
Within 24 Hours
Send a Thank-You Email
Reference specific points from your conversation and express gratitude
Within 1 Week
Reach Out to Referrals
If they recommended others, contact them promptly
1-2 Months Later
Share Your Progress
Update them on how you've applied their advice
Thank-You Email Template
Subject: Thank You for Your Time Today
Dear [Name],
Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me today. I really appreciated hearing about your experience at [Company] and your insights on [specific topic discussed].
Your advice about [specific advice] was particularly helpful, and I plan to [how you'll apply it]. I also found your perspective on [another topic] very valuable as I think about my career path.
I'll definitely look into [resource/person they mentioned] as you suggested. Please let me know if there's ever anything I can do to help you.
Thanks again for your generosity with your time. I hope to stay in touch!
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Pro Tips
Research the person thoroughly before the call - know their background, recent projects, and interests
Have a clear goal for what you want to learn, but be open to unexpected insights
Treat every informational interview as practice for real interviews
Keep a spreadsheet tracking who you've talked to, key takeaways, and follow-up actions
The best time to do informational interviews is when you're NOT actively job searching
Quality over quantity - 5 meaningful conversations beat 20 superficial ones