Informational interviews have the potential to play a powerful role in your career journey when used appropriately. You can save yourself lots of time and energy by gathering information about areas you’re interested in exploring from other knowledgeable professionals. In this article, we will cover everything you need to know to nail your next informational interview.

The goal of an informational interview

An informal conversation aimed at gathering information about a particular role, field, or company. It is a great research tool to gain firsthand information about the realities of the work you’re interested in pursuing.

Note: As the title suggests, the goal is information gathering, not securing a job.

Reasons to request an informational interview with someone

Unlike other requests, you don’t necessarily have to have an established relationship with the person you’re requesting to interview, although you’ll likely get a better acceptance rate from those you know. The key is to clearly identify and communicate why you’re requesting to meet with them. A good candidate for an informational review will meet one or more of these criteria:

Work for a company you’re interested in
Have more experience in a career path you’re interested in
Have a credentialing you’re interested in

Benefits of an informational interview

As you’ve probably guessed, the key benefit of an informational interview is learning more about a specific role/company/credentialing. However, there are definitely additional benefits to be realized. First, depending on the information shared, you may learn about additional opportunities you might not have previously known about. Second, if you and the person vibe well, it’s an opportunity to cultivate a professional relationship and expand your network.

Questions to ask during an informational interview

If you have specific questions based on your experience or previous research, you should certainly ask them! Below are some general questions to consider if you find yourself struggling to identify what to ask.

How did you get into this line of work?
What are your main responsibilities in your role?
What does a typical day look like?
What do you enjoy most about the job?
What do you enjoy least about the job?
What are the top 3 skills needed to be successful in this line of work?
What advice can you give someone like me who’s looking to pursue a similar path?
How can I connect with others on this path for additional informational interviews?

Sample informational interview request

Hi [insert first name],

I’d love your help to get a better understanding of [insert topic they can help you better understand]. I see you [insert what makes you think they’re suited to help + display your admiration for them]. I currently [insert what you currently do] and am looking to [insert what you’re hoping to do next].

Please let me know if you would be willing to meet with me for 25 minutes next week [insert where you’ll meet - ex: via Zoom]. If so, please provide a few times that work for you and I’ll send across an invite.

Looking forward to chatting with you!

[insert your name]

Next Steps

If a career change is on your agenda, identify at least one angle (company, role or credentialing) for a potential informational interview. Once you have your angle, find someone who satisfies that angle and request a 25-minute coffee chat. Bonus points: Send them a $5 gift card to Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts so they can actually feel the love of getting coffee on you!