Informational interview: how to ask, 30 questions and a thank-you note

What is an informational interview?

An informational interview is a brief, informal conversation with someone who works in a career, field or organization you want to learn about. You lead it, you ask the questions and the goal is information you cannot get from a job posting: what a normal week looks like, what training actually mattered, what the pay and hours are like at entry level, and what the person wishes they had known earlier.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics describes these meetings as usually lasting 20 to 30 minutes and stresses that the purpose is not to get a job but to find out whether work fits your interests, skills and personality. That framing matters: people agree more readily when they know you are not about to ask for something they cannot give.

Informational interviews are especially useful for career changers testing a new field, students choosing a specialty, people returning after time away who want to know what has changed, and anyone deciding between two job families. They also build relationships that may later lead to introductions, and they are good practice for real interviews.

Who should you ask for an informational interview?

Choose people doing the work you would actually be doing. The BLS article on informational interviewing recommends speaking with people at or near the level you would enter, because a supervisor's day may look nothing like a new hire's. One senior contact is useful for the big picture; most of your conversations should be closer to the ground.

Do basic research first. Read the occupation's profile in the Occupational Outlook Handbook or O*NET so your questions go beyond facts you could look up. If you are still choosing a direction, start with how to choose a career and use informational interviews to test your shortlist.

• People you already know, and people they can introduce you to; a mutual connection is the easiest way in.
• Alumni of your college, community college, high school or training program, often searchable through the career or alumni office.
• Members of professional associations or trade groups, including local chapter volunteers.
• Speakers, authors or panelists whose work you have read or heard, which gives you a specific reason to reach out.
• Employees at organizations you are curious about, found through LinkedIn or the organization's own staff pages.

How to ask for an informational interview (email and message templates)

A good request is short and answers four questions: how you found the person, who you are, what you want to learn and how much time you are asking for. Offer a phone or video option, suggest a range of times rather than a single slot, and make it clear you are not asking about a job. If you reach out through networking for jobs contacts, ask the mutual connection whether you may use their name.

If you get no reply, send one polite follow-up after a week or so. The BLS article suggests about three attempts in total before moving to the next name on your list. The templates below are illustrative; adapt every detail.

30 informational interview questions to ask

You will not have time for all of these. Pick about ten that match what you most need to know, put the three most important first, and let the conversation wander if it is useful. Ask open questions and avoid anything you could answer with a quick search.

• The work: What does a typical week look like for you, and how much of it is spent on which tasks?
• The work: What part of the job did you underestimate before you started?
• The work: Which tasks give you the most satisfaction, and which drain you?
• The work: Who do you work with most closely, and how are decisions made?
• The work: How is success measured in your role?
• The work: How do the hours, schedule and workload change over the year?
• Getting in: How did you get your first job in this field?
• Getting in: Is your path typical, or do most people come in another way?
• Getting in: Which qualifications or certifications really matter to employers, and which are nice to have?
• Getting in: What entry-level roles offer the best learning?
• Getting in: If you were starting today with my background, what would you do first?
• Getting in: Where do people in this field usually find openings?
• The organization: How would you describe the culture on your team?
• The organization: How does this employer usually hire for roles like yours?
• The organization: What kinds of people thrive here, and who tends to struggle?
• The organization: How is this organization different from others in the field?
• The organization: What training or support do new people get?
• The field: What is changing in this field right now?
• The field: Which skills are becoming more important, and which less?
• The field: What are common misconceptions about this work?
• The field: What do typical starting pay ranges look like in this area?
• Advice and fit: From what you've heard today, what gaps do you see in my background?
• Advice and fit: Which of my experiences would translate best, and how would you describe them?
• Advice and fit: What would you want to see on a resume from someone trying to get into this field?
• Advice and fit: Are there related roles I should also look at?
• Advice and fit: What mistakes do career changers or new graduates make here?
• Advice and fit: Which associations, publications or events are worth my time?
• Closing: Is there anyone else you think I should talk to?
• Closing: May I mention that you suggested I contact them?
• Closing: Would it be all right to follow up with a quick update as I make progress?

Informational interview etiquette, from start to finish

Treat the meeting like a short professional appointment. It is more relaxed than a job interview, but the person may one day be a colleague, a reference or a hiring manager, so the impression you make counts.

Avoid asking for a job, handing over your resume without being asked, or asking personal questions such as what the person earns. Asking about typical pay ranges for the role is fine. If they offer to review your resume or pass your name along, accept graciously and follow through quickly.

1. Confirm the day before with the time, format and a link or phone number.
2. Arrive or log in on time, with your questions, a notepad and a current resume in case it is requested.
3. Open with thanks and a 30-second introduction of your background and what you hope to learn, similar to a short answer to “tell me about yourself”.
4. Let them do most of the talking, take brief notes and ask follow-up questions when something surprises you.
5. Watch the clock and offer to wrap up when the agreed time is up, even if the conversation is going well.
6. End by asking who else you should talk to and whether you may use their name.

What to write in an informational interview thank-you note

Send a thank-you by email within a day. Mention one specific piece of advice and what you plan to do with it, so the note shows you listened. Keep it to a short paragraph or two.

A second message a few weeks later, reporting what happened when you followed their advice, is often more valuable than the thank-you itself. It closes the loop and gives the person a reason to keep helping.

Can an informational interview lead to a job referral?

It can, but only if you keep the conversation honest. If you asked for information, do not switch to asking for a job during the meeting. If the person raises an opening or offers to pass your name along, you can say yes. Otherwise, let the relationship develop.

When a suitable role opens later, send the posting, explain in two or three sentences how you match its main requirements, and ask whether they would feel comfortable referring you or would recommend applying directly. Make it easy to decline, and never tell a recruiter that someone recommended you unless they agreed to.

Before you decide, compare notes from several conversations. The BLS article warns against basing a career decision on one person's opinion, so look for patterns across at least a few interviews and check facts such as pay and training against published sources. If you do move toward a new field, a career change resume can turn what you learned into targeted applications.