Informational Interview Guide: How to Ask, What to Say & Follow Up

An informational interview is a conversation you request with someone who has a job, career path or employer you want to understand better. You are the one asking the questions. There is no open position, no resume screening and no hiring decision. The person is simply sharing experience, and you are gathering information to make better career decisions.

That sounds modest, but it is one of the highest-return activities in a job search. You learn what the work actually involves beyond the job description, discover terminology and skills hiring managers care about, and build relationships with people who may later vouch for you. It is the practical core of networking for your job search, and it is especially valuable for students, career changers and anyone targeting a competitive industry.

Hiring is a risk-management exercise. Employers prefer candidates who come recommended by someone they trust, because it reduces uncertainty. Informational interviews put you in position to be that recommended candidate. They also help in ways that have nothing to do with referrals.

• Reality check on a career. Hearing a working analyst, nurse or product manager describe a normal Tuesday is more useful than any job posting.
• Language and keywords. You learn which skills and tools matter, so you can tailor your resume and your "tell me about yourself" answer.
• Access to the hidden market. Some roles are filled informally or only advertised internally. People you have spoken with are more likely to tell you.
• Interview practice with low stakes. Speaking about your background to a friendly professional builds fluency before a real first job interview.
• Clearer direction. Sometimes you learn that a path is not for you, which is also valuable and much cheaper than finding out after taking the job.

For career changers the benefit is greater still: contacts can tell you how people with your background have successfully moved across, which is the kind of insight that makes career change interviews far easier.

The best contacts are one step or two steps ahead of where you want to be. A recent graduate in your target role often responds faster and remembers the struggles more clearly than a senior executive. Start with the warmest sources and work outward.

On LinkedIn, filter by company, job title and school. A strong LinkedIn profile matters here, since the person will almost certainly look at it before replying. Aim for a mix of roles: people doing the job now, people who hired for it, and people who recently moved into it.

How many people should you contact?

Not everyone replies, so plan for roughly one in three or fewer to say yes when writing cold. Contacting ten to fifteen people over a few weeks typically yields several conversations. Keep a simple spreadsheet with name, date contacted, status and next step.

Good outreach is short, specific and easy to answer. Customize every message; generic templates are obvious and ignored.

Email template: warm connection

Subject: Quick question from a fellow [School] alum
Hi [Name],
I am a [year/role] at [school or company] and found your profile through [source]. I am exploring a career in [field], and your path from [previous role] to [current role] at [company] is exactly the kind of experience I would like to learn from. Would you be open to a 15–20 minute call in the next couple of weeks? I am happy to work around your schedule. Thank you for considering it.
Best, [Your name]

LinkedIn connection request (under 300 characters)

Hi [Name], I am a [role] interested in [field] and admire your work on [specific thing]. Would you be open to a brief chat about how you got started? Happy to keep it to 15 minutes.

Request through a mutual contact

Hi [Name], [Mutual contact] suggested I reach out. I am exploring [field] and would value 15 minutes of your advice on how to get started. If it is easier, I can send a few written questions instead.

If you hear nothing, one polite follow-up after about a week is fine. After that, move on. Never send more than two messages.

Preparation shows respect for the other person's time. Spend 30 to 45 minutes on each contact.

• Research the person. Read their LinkedIn, recent posts, talks and company news. Note a career turning point you can ask about.
• Know your own story. Be ready with a 60-second summary of who you are and what you are exploring. Our guide to walking through your resume helps you structure it.
• Write 8–10 questions. Rank them so the most important come first.
• Set your goal. Decide what you want to leave with: insight about the role, feedback on your resume, two names to speak with next.
• Test your tech. For video calls, check audio, lighting and background. See our tips on video interview setup.
• Dress and show up on time. Treat it as professionally as a job interview, because first impressions carry over.

Arrive with notes, but keep the conversation natural. The goal is to sound curious, not scripted.

Their path

• How did you get started in this field?
• What was your first job, and how did it lead to this one?
• What surprised you most about this career once you were in it?
• If you were starting again today, what would you do differently?

The role and daily work

• What does a typical day or week look like?
• What parts of your job do you enjoy most, and which are the hardest?
• Which skills or tools do you use constantly?
• How does your team work with other departments?
• What are the biggest challenges your industry faces right now?

Getting in and growing

• What qualifications or experiences matter most for someone entering this field?
• What do hiring managers look for in entry-level candidates?
• Which mistakes do you see newcomers make?
• How did you build your network in this industry?
• Are there certifications, courses or books you would recommend?
• What does career progression look like here?

The company and culture

• How would you describe the culture at your organization?
• What makes people succeed or struggle at your company?
• How does your company support learning and development?
• What do you wish you had known before joining?

Closing questions

• Based on what I have shared, is there anything in my background you would suggest I strengthen?
• Would you be willing to look at my resume and tell me how it reads for this field?
• Is there anyone else you would recommend I speak with?
• Is there anything I should have asked that I did not?
• How can I be helpful to you?

Start by thanking them and confirming the time: "I know you are busy, so I will keep us to 20 minutes unless you have more time." Give your 60-second introduction, then move into your first question.

• Listen more than you talk. Aim for the other person to speak at least 70 percent of the time.
• Follow the thread. If an answer sparks a better question, ask it instead of sticking to the script.
• Take brief notes. Write down names, books, tools and advice you plan to act on.
• Watch the clock. At the agreed time, offer to wrap up. If they want to continue, that is a good sign.
• End with the referral question. "Who else would you suggest I talk to?" is the most important question of the call, because it multiplies your network.

If they offer to review your resume or mention an opening, accept graciously. Many informational interviews end with advice on making your resume ATS-friendly or an invitation to apply, and you should have an updated copy ready to send afterward.

Most people stop after the call. The follow-up is where informational interviews pay off.

Within 24 hours: the thank-you note

Hi [Name], thank you for taking the time to speak with me today. Your advice about [specific insight] was especially helpful, and I am going to [specific action]. I will reach out to [referral] as you suggested. I appreciate your generosity.

See our guide to the thank-you email after an interview for structure and tone that carry over directly.

Within a few weeks: the update

Tell them what happened: you spoke to the person they recommended, you took a course, you applied for a role. People like to know their advice mattered.

Over the long term

• Share a relevant article or congratulate them on a promotion.
• Reconnect when you apply to their company, and ask whether they are comfortable making an introduction.
• Offer help in return when you can.
• If they refer you for a job, keep them informed about the outcome, and prepare thoroughly using our guides on interview preparation and following up on a job application.

Finally, keep your contacts in your tracker and review your overall plan in our job search strategy guide. Treat informational interviews as one stream among applications, networking and skills building, not as a replacement for them.