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What is an informational interview?
Definition: An informational interview is a short, informal conversation in which you ask someone about their job, career path, company, or industry so you can learn, not so you can ask for a job. You request the meeting, prepare the questions, and keep it brief, usually twenty to thirty minutes. Done well, it gives you real insight and starts a relationship that can last for years.
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Why it matters
Job postings and company websites tell you little about what a role is really like. A person doing the work can tell you what a normal week looks like, what skills matter, and which paths into the field actually work. That saves you from chasing the wrong job or missing the right one.
An informational interview is also the start of a relationship. Many people later hear about openings, get referred, or receive advice from someone they first met this way. The conversation itself is small. What matters is whether you follow up and stay in touch afterward.
How it works
Asking for the conversation
The best requests are short, specific, and easy to accept. Say who you are in one sentence, why you are reaching out to this person in particular, and what you would like: a twenty minute call to hear about their path into the field. Mention any shared connection, school, or employer. Offer to work around their schedule. Do not attach a resume or mention a job opening. A warm introduction from someone you both know makes a yes much more likely, so ask your network who can connect you before you send a cold message.
Running the conversation
Prepare five or six open questions and expect to get through three or four. Good ones include: How did you get into this work? What does a typical week look like? What do you wish you had known when you started? What skills matter most here? What is changing in the field? Who else would you suggest I talk to? Listen more than you talk, take brief notes, and watch the clock. End on time, even if the conversation is going well, and thank them for their time.
Following up
Send a thank you within a day. Mention one specific thing you learned and, if it fits, one thing you plan to do because of it. If they offered an introduction, make it easy by sending a short note they can forward. Then keep the relationship alive. A few months later, send an update on what you did with their advice, or share an article related to something they said. People enjoy hearing that their help mattered, and that update is often what turns one conversation into an ongoing connection.
Examples
- A nurse thinking about moving into healthcare administration asks a hospital operations director for twenty minutes to hear how she made the same switch.
- A college senior studying economics asks an alumnus at a consulting firm what his first year was really like and which skills mattered most.
- A mid career teacher exploring instructional design talks with a former colleague who made the move, then asks for two more people to speak with.
- A sales manager considering a move into partnerships asks a friend's contact at a software company how partnership roles are measured there.
Putting it into practice
- Pick three people whose work you want to understand, and ask mutual contacts whether they can introduce you.
- Send a short request that names why you chose them and asks for twenty minutes, with no mention of a job.
- Prepare five or six open questions and end the conversation on time.
- Ask at the end who else they think you should talk to.
- Send a thank you within a day that mentions one specific thing you learned.
- Set a reminder to send an update in a few months on what you did with their advice.
Write the message in 20 seconds
Free, no signup. The example is filled in: press the button, then replace it with your own situation. In Capstone, a message like it is written for each person you know when their check-in is due.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a job interview and an informational interview?
In a job interview, an employer evaluates you for a specific opening and leads the conversation. In an informational interview, you ask someone about their work to learn, and you lead the conversation with your own questions. There is no job on the table. Asking for one during an informational interview usually makes it awkward and can end the relationship before it starts.
What questions should you ask in an informational interview?
Ask open questions about the person's experience: How did you get into this field? What does a typical week look like? What do you wish you had known starting out? What skills matter most? What is changing in the industry? Who else should I talk to? Pick the few that matter most to you, since time is short.
How do you ask for an informational interview?
Send a brief message that says who you are, why you want to talk with this person specifically, and what you are asking for, such as twenty minutes by phone. Mention any shared connection or background. Offer flexibility on timing and do not attach a resume. If a mutual contact can introduce you, that usually works better than a cold request.
How long should an informational interview last?
Ask for twenty to thirty minutes and stick to it. A short request is easier to say yes to, and ending on time shows respect for the person's schedule. If they offer to keep talking, it is fine to continue, but let them make that choice. You can always ask for a second conversation later.
Should you send a thank you after an informational interview?
Yes, always, ideally within a day. Keep it short: thank them for their time, mention one specific thing you learned, and note any next step, like following up with someone they suggested. A few months later, send a brief update on what you did with their advice. That second message is what keeps the connection alive.
Had the coffee chat. How do you stay in touch? Put them on a rhythm of every few months. When they are due, Capstone drafts a short update in your voice, like a thanks for advice you used.
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A study of 20 million LinkedIn members found that acquaintances, more than close friends, led to new jobs (Science, 2022). Capstone keeps those people warm. You approve every message, and it goes from your own email or phone.