How to Conduct an Informational Interview

Building relationships outside of your workplace enhances your personal and professional growth. One powerful tool to help build those relationships is the informational interview.

We discuss how informational interviews can enhance your job search and give you a walk-through of the five key steps you can take to hold one effectively.

What is an informational interview?

An informational interview is a friendly and purposeful question-and-answer discussion with someone who has extensive experience in the field you’re interested in.

During an informational interview, you have the chance to soak up helpful knowledge in an informal setting and gain unique insights while building an authentic connection with your interviewee.

Informational interviews expand your network, open doors to future career possibilities, and can help you land a job.

What are the benefits of informational interviews?

Textbooks and online resources provide limited industry knowledge and guidance.

By learning about your interviewee’s perspectives and the challenges they’ve faced, you’ll gain a realistic view of the industry that can guide your future career decisions.

The person you’re interviewing can also:

• give you personalized advice about your specific situation
• introduce you to new contacts
• provide ongoing support as you progress in your career

How to conduct an informational interview in 5 steps

Follow these five steps to confidently approach a professional for an informational interview:

1. Set clear objectives for your informational interview

Before the interview, define your goals and what specific information or insights you want to gain. Having a clear focus will guide your questions and make the conversation more productive.

Ask yourself:

• What do I hope to learn from this interview?
• How can it help me with my career?
• What resources or recommendations can this person provide to support my career growth?
• How can I set up my interviewee to succeed during this interview?

2. Find the right person to interview

Approaching someone you admire can be intimidating, but most professionals are genuinely excited to share their expertise and will be more open than you think.

Start by reaching out to former colleagues, friends of friends, or professionals on LinkedIn who have relevant expertise or work in your dream field.

Once you’ve found the right person, it’s time to connect!

Start by introducing yourself by writing a friendly and professional LinkedIn message that expresses your interest in that person’s field or expertise.

To make it easier for them to respond, be clear about your intention for an informational interview and suggest a specific format such as a video call, in-person chat, or phone conversation. Requesting a 15–30 minute timeframe lowers the barrier for entry, as these conversations typically last 20–30 minutes but can extend to an hour if you make a strong connection.

Here’s an example to help you get started:

3. Prepare thoughtful questions to ask for your informational interview

To ensure you’ll have a productive conversation, prepare a list of engaging and relevant informational interview questions that explore industry trends, career paths, and potential challenges.

Doing a quick search on your interviewee’s background and their industry’s recent developments can help you ask specific, well-informed questions that reflect your genuine interest.

Below are some examples of potential questions to ask in an informational interview:

4. Engage actively and professionally with your interviewee

During the informational interview, show enthusiasm by encouraging stories and embracing silence to elicit deeper insights. Prompt your interviewee to recount specific anecdotes by saying, “tell me about a time when…”, and use thoughtful follow-up questions to further your understanding.

To demonstrate professional initiative, arrive 10–15 minutes early and offer to pay for their coffee or lunch since the person is doing you a favor.

Next, be mindful of your body language, even in virtual settings. As the person you’re interviewing is speaking, try:

• maintaining good eye contact through the camera
• nodding appropriately
• projecting a confident and attentive presence

Also, consider asking for permission to take notes during the conversation, signaling that you value their insights and want to capture important information. These actions demonstrate your commitment to learning. To ensure your networking continues beyond a single interview, conclude the meeting by asking for recommendations of other professionals in the field you could contact.

5. Follow up and continue building the relationship

Don’t be a stranger! After the interview, send a heartfelt thank you LinkedIn message or email to show your appreciation for the person’s time and insights. Feel free to mention specific points that resonated with you or actionable takeaways you gained from the conversation.

Finally, stay connected by actively sharing relevant resources and insights or offering assistance whenever the opportunity arises. Nurturing these relationships will unlock new opportunities, such as job referrals or collaborations.

Here’s an example template of a thank you LinkedIn message to inspire you:

Remember, informational interviews aren’t just about gathering information — they’re about building relationships. Through these meaningful connections, you’ll discover new possibilities and set yourself on a path to long-term success.

Happy interviewing and networking!