What Is a Informational Interview?
An informational interview is a conversation you initiate with a professional to learn about their role, industry, or company. It's not a job interview — it's a research tool that builds your network and uncovers opportunities before they're posted.
Typical Duration
20-30 minutes
Who Initiates
The job seeker / career explorer
Format
In person, phone, or video
Primary Purpose
Research and networking
What Is a Informational Interview?
An informational interview is an informal conversation initiated by a job seeker or career explorer with a professional working in a role, company, or industry of interest. The purpose is to gather insights, advice, and firsthand perspective — not to ask for a job. The conversation typically lasts 20-30 minutes and can happen in person, over the phone, or via video call.
Unlike a job interview, the candidate controls the agenda. You decide who to reach out to, what questions to ask, and what information you're seeking. The professional you're meeting with is doing you a favor by sharing their time and experience, which is why informational interviews follow a different set of etiquette rules than formal interviews.
Informational interviews are one of the most effective yet underutilized job search strategies. Research consistently shows that a significant percentage of jobs are filled through networking rather than applications, and informational interviews are a structured way to build the relationships that lead to referrals.
Why Informational Interview Matters for Job Seekers
Informational interviews matter because they give you access to information you can't find on job boards or company websites: what a role actually involves day-to-day, what the team culture is really like, what skills are most valued, and what career paths look like from the inside.
For job seekers, informational interviews serve three strategic purposes. First, they help you make better career decisions by giving you realistic insight into roles and industries before you commit. Second, they expand your professional network with people who know you as a thoughtful, proactive individual. Third, they can lead directly to job opportunities — many professionals will refer strong informational interviewees to open positions or hiring managers.
The format also builds your interview skills in a low-pressure environment. You practice articulating your background, asking thoughtful questions, and having professional conversations without the stress of being evaluated for a specific role.
How to Conduct an Informational Interview
- 1Identify 5-10 professionals in your target role or industry through LinkedIn, alumni networks, or professional associations. Prioritize connections where you have a warm introduction.
- 2Send a concise, specific outreach message. Mention why you chose them specifically, what you're hoping to learn, and that you're requesting 20-30 minutes of their time — not a job.
- 3Prepare 8-10 open-ended questions focused on their experience, the industry, and career advice. Avoid questions you could easily answer with a Google search. Good examples: 'What surprised you most about this role?' or 'What skills do you wish you'd developed earlier?'
- 4During the conversation, listen more than you talk. Take brief notes but maintain natural conversation flow. Never ask for a job directly — instead ask 'Who else would you recommend I speak with?'
- 5Send a thank-you message within 24 hours that references a specific insight from the conversation. Stay in touch periodically by sharing relevant articles or updates on your career progress.
- 6Keep a tracking spreadsheet of your informational interviews — who you met, key takeaways, follow-up actions, and any referrals they provided.
Example Scenario
You're considering a career transition from teaching to instructional design. You find a former teacher turned instructional designer through a LinkedIn alumni group and send a brief message explaining your interest. Over a 25-minute Zoom call, they explain how they made the transition, which skills transferred, what additional training they needed, and what a typical week looks like. They mention that their company has a junior role opening next quarter and offer to introduce you to the hiring manager.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Terms
Culture Fit
Culture fit describes how well a candidate's values, work style, and behaviors align with an organization's norms and environment. It's one of the top reasons candidates are hired — or rejected — but it's also one of the most subjective criteria in hiring.
Transferable Skills
Transferable skills are abilities developed in one context that apply to a different role, industry, or career. They're the connective tissue of career transitions — the reason a military officer can lead a corporate team or a teacher can excel in corporate training.
Panel Interview
A panel interview puts you in front of two to six interviewers from different departments who evaluate you simultaneously. Understanding the format and preparing for multi-directional questions is the key to standing out.
Created By
InterviewTips.AI Team
Interview Preparation Experts
InterviewTips.AI was built by a team of hiring managers, recruiters, and career coaches who have collectively conducted over 10,000 interviews across tech, finance, healthcare, and education.
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