Informational Interviews: How to Get Them and What to Ask
Informational interviews open doors job boards miss. In 2025, 54% of U.S. workers were hired through a connection. Learn how to request one and what to ask.
In 2025, 54% of U.S. workers were hired through a connection (MyPerfectResume survey of 1,000 workers, via CPA Practice Advisor, 2025). Referrals and warm introductions open doors that job boards never show. Informational interviews are how you build the relationships that lead to those referrals.
An informational interview is a 15–20 minute conversation with someone in a field or role you are exploring. You are not asking for a job. You are learning about their work, their path, and their advice. The goal is insight, not an offer. The connection you build often leads to both.
Networking is not optional when more than half of U.S. hires come through a connection. An informational interview builds that connection deliberately, rather than hoping your network already exists. It turns a stranger into someone who can vouch for you when a role opens up.
This guide shows how to request informational interviews, what to ask, and how to follow up so that one conversation compounds into more.
What an informational interview is (and is not)Permalink to “What an informational interview is (and is not)”
An informational interview is low-pressure learning, not a job interview. You do not need to be perfect. You do not need to have the right background yet. You need curiosity and respect for the other person's time.
What it is:
- A 15–20 minute conversation about their work and path
- A chance to learn insider details that do not appear in job descriptions
- A way to build genuine connections before you need them
- Practice speaking about your career change intentions before you are in high-stakes interviews
What it is not:
- A job interview or a sales pitch
- A guarantee of a referral or job lead
- A request for them to review your resume for career change or portfolio
- A way to bypass standard hiring processes
Career coaches consistently call informational interviews one of the most effective tools for career changers because they build networking confidence and surface real insights faster than reading job postings (The Muse, 2024; CareerShifters, 2024).
How to request an informational interviewPermalink to “How to request an informational interview”
Most people say yes if you ask clearly and briefly. The key is to make it easy for them to say yes, not to impress them with your life story.
Email or LinkedIn message template (career changer)Permalink to “Email or LinkedIn message template (career changer)”
Subject: Question from a [your current field] professional exploring [target field]
Hi [Name],
I am [one sentence about who you are, e.g., your current role and what you are exploring].
I came across your work through [how you found them: LinkedIn, their company, an article, or a mutual connection] and was interested in [one specific thing about their work or background].
I am exploring a transition into [target field] and would value 15–20 minutes of your time to ask a few questions about your path and work. I am not asking for a job or a referral, just your perspective.
Would [two specific time options, e.g., Tuesday morning or Thursday afternoon] work for a brief call? I can also make it convenient with [your calendar link] if that is easier.
Thank you for your time,
[Your name]
What makes this template workPermalink to “What makes this template work”
- One-sentence intro. They do not need your whole story.
- Why them specifically. People respond to personalized requests, not generic networking.
- Explicit "no job ask." Reduces their anxiety about saying yes.
- Specific time options or a calendar link. Removes the scheduling back-and-forth that kills these conversations.
- Brief. The entire message fits on one phone screen.
Where to find people to interviewPermalink to “Where to find people to interview”
Start with second-degree connections on LinkedIn, people your connections know. A warm introduction dramatically increases response rates. Then look for alumni from your university, people at companies you admire, or authors of articles you found useful. The goal is quality conversations, not a high volume of cold outreach.
Questions to ask in an informational interviewPermalink to “Questions to ask in an informational interview”
Your questions should draw out their experience, not information you could find on their company website. Ask about their path, their work, and their advice for someone making the switch.
About their pathPermalink to “About their path”
- How did you get into this role?
- What is your typical day like?
- What do you wish you had known before you started?
- If you could start your career over, what would you do differently?
About the workPermalink to “About the work”
- What are the most rewarding parts of this job?
- What are the hardest or most discouraging parts?
- What challenges do you face most often?
- How does this role collaborate with other teams or functions?
About breaking inPermalink to “About breaking in”
- What skills or experiences matter most for someone transitioning into this field?
- What would you tell someone switching careers who is where I am now?
- Are there common misconceptions people have about this work?
- How do people typically find opportunities in this field?
One question to avoidPermalink to “One question to avoid”
Avoid asking, "Can you refer me?" unless they offer it. Your job in this conversation is to learn and build rapport. If they are impressed, they will often volunteer, "Send me your resume, I'll pass it along." That is the moment, not an upfront ask.
Best practices that make people want to helpPermalink to “Best practices that make people want to help”
The best informational interviews feel like a conversation between peers, not an interrogation. Follow these principles:
Be prepared. Research their background and company beforehand. Ask questions that show you did your homework. Commenting on something specific from their LinkedIn profile or a recent project they worked on proves you are serious.
Respect their time. End on time or slightly early. If they seem engaged and offer to keep talking, that is their choice. Do not push past 20 minutes unless they invite it.
Take notes. Writing down what they say serves two purposes: you remember the details, and they see you value their input enough to record it. Ask permission first by saying, "Mind if I take notes?" Almost everyone appreciates the courtesy.
Listen more than you talk. A common mistake is spending the first 10 minutes telling your life story. They want to help, not be talked at. Keep your background brief and focus on learning from them.
Follow up. Send a thank-you note within 24 hours. Mention one specific thing they said that helped you. Keep the door open for future questions. If they introduced you to someone else, copy them on the thank-you to that person. This simple act often leads to further introductions.
Common mistakes that burn bridgesPermalink to “Common mistakes that burn bridges”
These patterns turn a potential ally into someone who never responds again:
- Oversharing. Turning the conversation into a therapy session about your career frustrations.
- Not asking. Sending vague messages like "I'd love to pick your brain" without a clear request or time frame.
- Treating it like a job interview. Trying to impress them with your qualifications or asking for a job before they have offered any help.
- Ghosting. Failing to send a thank-you note or follow up after they gave you their time.
- Asking for too much. Requesting a resume review, portfolio critique, or extended mentoring in the first conversation.
- Being generic. Sending copy-paste messages that clearly went to dozens of people.
How informational interviews fit into your broader strategyPermalink to “How informational interviews fit into your broader strategy”
Informational interviews are one piece of a complete portfolio guide for career changers. They help you validate that your target role is a good fit, learn what skills matter most, and build relationships that turn into referrals. Pair them with skill-gap analysis and portfolio projects to move from exploration to offer.
How Traecta helpsPermalink to “How Traecta helps”
Traecta — Your Personalized Career Roadmap prepares targeted informational interview questions based on your career transition goals, so you show up to each conversation with the right questions for your specific switch and the skills you already have.
TakeawaysPermalink to “Takeaways”
- Connections open doors that job boards never show. In 2025, 54% of U.S. workers were hired through a connection. Informational interviews build those connections before you need them.
- Ask for 15–20 minutes, not a job. Be clear, brief, and specific. People say yes to curiosity, not sales pitches.
- Follow up. A thank-you note within 24 hours keeps the door open. The connection you build today compounds into referrals tomorrow.
Start your first conversation this week. The people who get hired are the ones who ask.
