6 answers
Sophie
Student
2
Questions
Updated
1699 views
How do you ask for informational interviews?
I have been told that asking for brief informational interviews from connections is a good way to learn more about industries. What I don't know is how to ask for them. Is there a preferred channel of communication? What level of formality is expected? Are there expected social rules I haven't forseen?
6 answers
Johnson Tran
Tutor
101
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Johnson’s Answer
Hi Sophie,
Informational interviews are much easier than job interviews, so don't worry about being perfect. Just respect their time and be clear about why you're reaching out.
A short email or LinkedIn message works well. Introduce yourself, mention your interest, and ask if they have 15-20 minutes to talk about their experience.
Try something like:
"Hi [Name], I'm a student exploring [industry] and found your profile. Your career path is fascinating—would you have 15-20 minutes to chat in the next few weeks? I'd love to ask a few questions about how you started."
Here are some tips:
- Keep your message brief.
- Be flexible with scheduling.
- Prepare some questions in advance.
- Don't ask for a job or internship right away.
- Send a thank-you note afterward.
Most people enjoy discussing their work if you show genuine interest. If someone doesn't respond, don't worry. Networking is about reaching out to many people; you only need a few good conversations to learn a lot.
Good luck! Getting comfortable with this now will really help when you're ready to start your career search.
Informational interviews are much easier than job interviews, so don't worry about being perfect. Just respect their time and be clear about why you're reaching out.
A short email or LinkedIn message works well. Introduce yourself, mention your interest, and ask if they have 15-20 minutes to talk about their experience.
Try something like:
"Hi [Name], I'm a student exploring [industry] and found your profile. Your career path is fascinating—would you have 15-20 minutes to chat in the next few weeks? I'd love to ask a few questions about how you started."
Here are some tips:
- Keep your message brief.
- Be flexible with scheduling.
- Prepare some questions in advance.
- Don't ask for a job or internship right away.
- Send a thank-you note afterward.
Most people enjoy discussing their work if you show genuine interest. If someone doesn't respond, don't worry. Networking is about reaching out to many people; you only need a few good conversations to learn a lot.
Good luck! Getting comfortable with this now will really help when you're ready to start your career search.
Thanks. I feel more confident to reach out now. Initially when I did it, I feared that I was asking for too much, like their trade secret or something
Layo
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Advisor | Freelance Writer | TRIO Program Director
1117
Answers
Tacoma, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
Hi Sophie,
Reaching out for an informational interview can be exciting and rewarding. Sending an email or text is a great way to start.
Introducing yourself in a letter helps others get to know you and understand your goals. Look for people from your school or community who can help connect you to the right person for the interview. This could be a professor, a teacher, a fellow student, or even someone from a local employment center.
When you reach out, be clear and direct. Write a short introduction like a cover letter, explaining who you are and why you're contacting them.
Let them know you're interested in a brief phone chat to gather information, not to seek a job. This approach shows your eagerness to learn and makes a positive impression.
Reaching out for an informational interview can be exciting and rewarding. Sending an email or text is a great way to start.
Introducing yourself in a letter helps others get to know you and understand your goals. Look for people from your school or community who can help connect you to the right person for the interview. This could be a professor, a teacher, a fellow student, or even someone from a local employment center.
When you reach out, be clear and direct. Write a short introduction like a cover letter, explaining who you are and why you're contacting them.
Let them know you're interested in a brief phone chat to gather information, not to seek a job. This approach shows your eagerness to learn and makes a positive impression.
Jezlea Ortega
Tech Architecture
102
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Jezlea’s Answer
LinkedIn is the most widely accepted channel for reaching out to professionals you do not already know personally, while email works better for people you have a warmer connection to through school, events, or mutual contacts. People respond to authenticity far more than polish so write like yourself rather than trying to sound overly formal or impressive.
The structure that works best is short, specific, and centered on them rather than you. Open with one sentence establishing who you are and how you found them, follow with a genuine specific reason you reached out to them in particular rather than anyone else in their field, make a clear and low pressure ask for fifteen to twenty minutes of their time, and close with something that makes it easy to say yes like offering to work around their schedule entirely. The biggest mistakes people make are writing too much, being vague about what they want, or making the request feel like a job application in disguise. An informational interview ask should feel like a curious student wanting to learn from someone they genuinely admire.
The structure that works best is short, specific, and centered on them rather than you. Open with one sentence establishing who you are and how you found them, follow with a genuine specific reason you reached out to them in particular rather than anyone else in their field, make a clear and low pressure ask for fifteen to twenty minutes of their time, and close with something that makes it easy to say yes like offering to work around their schedule entirely. The biggest mistakes people make are writing too much, being vague about what they want, or making the request feel like a job application in disguise. An informational interview ask should feel like a curious student wanting to learn from someone they genuinely admire.
Rawan Hashim
Dartmouth Alum | Consultant
5
Answers
Springfield, Virginia
Updated
Rawan’s Answer
Hi Sophie,
There are a few ways you can go about this.
First, I would recommend having a document of templates for inquiry/intro messages to send to individuals of interest for these informational "coffee chats." You want to make sure they're fairly concise in length as people are usually looking for 3-4 sentences that they can read quickly to understand your request. I would recommend starting with 1 sentence including your name, school/university, area of study and specific interest. Then continue with another sentence indicating why you're specifically reaching out to this person, followed by your request. These informational meeting requests are not meant for you to try and highlight details about your skills as it's more-so about you gaining knowledge about what/how the person you're reaching out to can help you at the stage you're in.
LinkedIn and your school's alumni relations office are usually the best resources for reaching out to folks. Before doing so, make sure your profile on the platform you're using is up to date and includes the information you'd want highlighted. This looks like updating your headshot if possible, all relevant experience, activities, interests, and maybe even a short bio about yourself and goals.
Be sure to frame your questions in a way that asks about how you can navigate the field/role, company, interview prep, courses, and their specific experience.
Good luck!
There are a few ways you can go about this.
First, I would recommend having a document of templates for inquiry/intro messages to send to individuals of interest for these informational "coffee chats." You want to make sure they're fairly concise in length as people are usually looking for 3-4 sentences that they can read quickly to understand your request. I would recommend starting with 1 sentence including your name, school/university, area of study and specific interest. Then continue with another sentence indicating why you're specifically reaching out to this person, followed by your request. These informational meeting requests are not meant for you to try and highlight details about your skills as it's more-so about you gaining knowledge about what/how the person you're reaching out to can help you at the stage you're in.
LinkedIn and your school's alumni relations office are usually the best resources for reaching out to folks. Before doing so, make sure your profile on the platform you're using is up to date and includes the information you'd want highlighted. This looks like updating your headshot if possible, all relevant experience, activities, interests, and maybe even a short bio about yourself and goals.
Be sure to frame your questions in a way that asks about how you can navigate the field/role, company, interview prep, courses, and their specific experience.
Good luck!
Andrés Saránsig Molina
Talent Acquisition Manager
1
Answer
Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador
Updated
Andrés’s Answer
Great question Sophie. The 1st thing I would advise is to start connecting with relevant professionals in the fields you are interested in using LinkedIn. That's what feels more natural.
How? Research the top companies in those industries, and start sending connection requests to people who work there, in roles that fit what you are looking for. It might take time to do so, but I guarantee someone will reply.
Be warm, professional, and sincere. Show actual curiosity and investigate before engaging someone about their trajectory, the field, and topics you would like to discuss
Another thing I would recommend is to start attending networking events that you know of, and start getting into conversations with these folks. In these scenarios, always showcase interest in learning and understanding. Being curious about people's experiences is something that can open doors.
Be authentic, curious, honest, and consistent.
Best of luck!
How? Research the top companies in those industries, and start sending connection requests to people who work there, in roles that fit what you are looking for. It might take time to do so, but I guarantee someone will reply.
Be warm, professional, and sincere. Show actual curiosity and investigate before engaging someone about their trajectory, the field, and topics you would like to discuss
Another thing I would recommend is to start attending networking events that you know of, and start getting into conversations with these folks. In these scenarios, always showcase interest in learning and understanding. Being curious about people's experiences is something that can open doors.
Be authentic, curious, honest, and consistent.
Best of luck!
Iris Garcia
Certified Medical Assistant
20
Answers
Pasadena, Texas
Updated
Iris’s Answer
Hello Sophie,
My advice is to keep your request professional, friendly, and simple. Email or LinkedIn are great ways to reach out, especially if you don't know the person well. Introduce yourself, explain your interest in their career, and politely ask if they would be willing to spare 15–20 minutes to share their experience.
I also recommend preparing a few questions ahead of time, being respectful of their schedule, and sending a thank-you message afterward. Don't be discouraged if someone doesn't respond right away. From my experience in healthcare, building professional relationships and asking questions can open doors to opportunities you may not have considered. Most people are happy to share their knowledge when you show genuine interest!
My advice is to keep your request professional, friendly, and simple. Email or LinkedIn are great ways to reach out, especially if you don't know the person well. Introduce yourself, explain your interest in their career, and politely ask if they would be willing to spare 15–20 minutes to share their experience.
I also recommend preparing a few questions ahead of time, being respectful of their schedule, and sending a thank-you message afterward. Don't be discouraged if someone doesn't respond right away. From my experience in healthcare, building professional relationships and asking questions can open doors to opportunities you may not have considered. Most people are happy to share their knowledge when you show genuine interest!
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