The Informational Interview: Your Secret Weapon for Getting Hired
Everyone says "network." Almost nobody does this specific thing.
Ask any career advisor their number one recommendation and they'll say networking. Ask them for the specific mechanism and they'll say informational interviews. Ask job seekers how many they've done and the answer is almost always zero.
That gap is your opportunity. Informational interviews are the most effective way to learn about a field, build relationships with decision-makers, and generate referrals. They work because they invert the normal dynamic: instead of asking for something, you're offering your genuine attention and curiosity. People love talking about their work. Let them.
What it is and what it isn't
It is: A 15 to 20 minute conversation with someone working in your target field. A chance to learn. A chance to be remembered.
It is not: A job interview wearing a fake nose and glasses. The moment you turn it into a pitch, you've violated the social contract that made the conversation possible. Don't hand them your resume. Don't ask for a referral. Don't even hint. If they offer, great. If they don't, you've still built something valuable.
How to ask
Find the right people
Target people 1 to 2 levels above where you'd enter, at companies on your target list. Mutual connections are ideal. LinkedIn cold outreach works too, especially if they're active on the platform.
The outreach message
Short. Specific. Easy to say yes to:
"Hi [Name], I'm a [role/background] exploring [target field]. I came across your profile and was impressed by [specific detail]. Would you be open to a 15-minute call about your experience at [Company]? Completely understand if the timing doesn't work."
That's it. Personalized, time-bounded, low-pressure. Don't overthink it.
The response rate
Expect 30 to 40%. Send 10 messages to get 3 to 4 conversations. Follow up once after 5 to 7 days. After two non-responses, move on.
How to run the conversation
Prepare 5 to 7 questions
Have more than you'll need:
- "What does a typical week look like in your role?"
- "What skills are most valuable in this field that nobody talks about?"
- "What surprised you most when you started?"
- "If you were entering this field today, what would you do differently?"
- "What are the biggest challenges your team is facing right now?"
- "Is there anyone else you'd recommend I speak with?"
That last question is everything. It's how one conversation becomes three.
During the conversation
Listen more than you talk. Take notes. Be genuine. People detect inauthenticity instantly. If something they say genuinely interests you, say so. If you disagree, explore it respectfully. Don't be a sycophant.
When 15 minutes approaches: "I want to be respectful of your time. One more question, or should we wrap?" Let them decide. Most will keep going. The ones who don't will remember that you respected their boundaries.
What not to do
- Don't ask for a job during the conversation
- Don't send your resume unless they ask for it
- Don't monologue about yourself
- Don't reschedule or show up late. This person is doing you a favor. Treat it like the gift it is.
The follow-up is where the real value lives
Within 24 hours
Send a thank-you that references something specific: "Your insight about [topic] was particularly helpful and shifted how I'm thinking about [related thing]."
Generic thank-yous are forgettable. Specific ones make people feel valued.
Within 2 to 4 weeks
Share something relevant: an article related to what you discussed, a follow-up on their advice, or a brief update. This keeps the relationship alive without being pushy.
The long game
Some of these relationships will lead to referrals. Some to mentorship. Some to nothing tangible. All of them expand your understanding. Track your informational interviews alongside applications and contacts in Orbyt so you follow up at the right time and never lose track of what you're building.
Why this works so damn well
When a job opens at a company where you've already had 2 to 3 conversations, you're not a stranger submitting a cold application. You're someone they've met. Someone who showed genuine interest. Someone whose name actually rings a bell.
In a market where hundreds of qualified people apply for every role, familiarity is the difference between getting an interview and getting filtered out. It's not fair. It's how it works.
Send one outreach message this week. Just one. See what it opens.
Common questions
What is an informational interview exactly?
It's a fifteen to twenty minute conversation with someone working in a field you're targeting, meant purely for learning and connection. It is not a disguised job interview. You should not hand over your resume, ask for a referral, or hint at wanting one. If a referral happens, it happens naturally, and even without one the conversation still builds something valuable for later.
How do I ask someone for an informational interview?
Target people one to two levels above where you'd enter, ideally through mutual connections or LinkedIn outreach. Keep the message short, specific, and easy to say yes to: introduce yourself, mention something specific that impressed you about their profile, request a fifteen minute call, and explicitly say you understand if timing doesn't work. Personalized and time bounded beats generic every time.
What questions should I ask during an informational interview?
Prepare five to seven questions, such as what a typical week looks like, what skills matter that nobody talks about, what surprised them when they started, what they'd do differently entering the field today, and what challenges their team faces. Always ask if there's anyone else they'd recommend you speak with, since that question is how one conversation turns into three.
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