The Ultimate Guide to Asking for and Conducting an Informational Interview

July 8, 2024

Networking & Branding

5 min read

The Most Underrated Networking Tool in Your Job Search

What if you could get an insider's view of a company, learn about the challenges of a specific role, and get career advice from an experienced professional, all without the pressure of a formal job interview? That's exactly what an informational interview is. It's a casual, 20-30 minute conversation with someone in a company or industry that you're interested in. The golden rule is that you are not asking for a job; you are asking for information and advice. It is the single most powerful, low-pressure way to build your professional network and gather the intelligence you need to land your dream job.

Step 1: Identify Your Targets

Before you can ask for an interview, you need to find people to talk to. Think about the companies you admire and the roles you aspire to have.

LinkedIn is Your Best Friend: Use LinkedIn's search filters to find people with the job title you want at your target companies. The most effective approach is to look for 'warm' connections:

* Alumni: Use your university's alumni search tool on LinkedIn. People are generally very willing to help a fellow alum.

* 2nd-Degree Connections: These are people who are connected to your existing connections. You can ask your mutual connection for an introduction.

Company Websites: The 'About Us' or 'Team' page can also be a good source, especially for smaller companies.

Step 2: Craft the Perfect Outreach Email or Message

Your initial request is critical. It needs to be short, professional, respectful of their time, and, most importantly, easy to say 'yes' to.

Key elements of a good request:

A clear and concise subject line.

Explain who you are and why you are contacting *them specifically (e.g., 'I was so impressed by your recent talk on marketing analytics').

Clearly state that you are looking for advice, not a job.

Ask for a specific, small amount of time (e.g., '15-20 minutes').

Be flexible and offer to work around their schedule.

Template:

Subject: Request for Advice - Aspiring Product Manager

Dear [Name],

My name is [Your Name], and I'm a [Your Role/Student] with a deep interest in product management. I've been following [Their Company]'s work for some time and was particularly impressed by the recent launch of [Specific Product Feature].

As I am exploring a career transition into the tech industry, I was hoping you might be willing to share some of your insights from your experience at [Their Company]. Would you be open to a brief, 15-20 minute virtual coffee chat in the coming weeks to share your career journey and any advice you might have?

Thank you so much for your time and consideration.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

Step 3: Prepare for the Conversation

Do not go into an informational interview unprepared. This is your chance to make a great impression.

Do Your Homework: Research the person's career path on LinkedIn. Research their company's recent news and products. Do not ask any questions that you could have easily answered with a five-minute Google search.

Prepare Thoughtful Questions: You are the interviewer. It is your job to lead the conversation. Prepare more questions than you think you'll need. Group them into categories: their role, their company, and their career path.

* Good Questions to Ask:

* 'Could you tell me a bit about your journey to your current role at [Company]?'

* 'What does a typical day or week look like for you?'

* 'What are the most challenging and most rewarding aspects of your job?'

* 'What do you think are the most important skills for someone to succeed in this field?'

* 'What is the company culture like at [Company]? What do you enjoy most about working there?'

* 'What advice would you have for someone like me who is trying to break into this industry?'

Step 4: During and After the Interview

Be a Professional: Even though it's informal, treat it with the same professionalism as a real interview. Be on time and dress appropriately.

Respect Their Time: Start by thanking them for their time and confirming the amount of time they have. Stick to it.

Take Notes: This shows you are engaged and value their advice.

Ask the Magic Question:** As you are wrapping up, always ask this question: *'Based on our conversation, is there anyone else you think it would be helpful for me to talk to?' This is how you turn one conversation into three and exponentially grow your network.

Send a Thank-You Note: Within 24 hours, send a personalized thank-you email. Thank them for their time and mention one specific piece of advice you found particularly helpful. This reinforces the connection and leaves a lasting positive impression.