Informational interview: how to ask, what to ask, how to follow up.
An informational interview is a short conversation with someone in a job or company you are curious about. You are there to learn, not to ask for a job, and that is exactly why it often leads to one.
To get an informational interview, email or message someone in the role you want, explain how you found them, and ask for 15 to 20 minutes to learn about their path. Prepare five or six questions about their work, the skills that matter and how they would break in today. Keep to time, and send a thank-you within a day.
3 copy-ready templates
Illustrative: names, companies, dates and numbers in these templates and examples are fictional. Replace every bracket with your own true details before you send anything.
Request email
When to use: To someone in the role, field or company you are exploring.
Subject: Request for a 15-minute chat about [field] Hi [Name], I found your profile while researching [field / company] and was interested in your path from [A] to [B]. I'm [one line about you] and trying to understand what the work is really like. Would you be open to a 15- to 20-minute call in the next few weeks? I'm happy to fit around your schedule. Thank you, [Your name]
Thank-you note
When to use: Within 24 hours of the conversation.
Subject: Thank you for your time Hi [Name], Thank you for speaking with me today. Your advice about [specific point] was especially helpful, and I'm going to [action you'll take]. I'll let you know how it goes. Best, [Your name]
Questions to ask (pick five or six)
When to use: Choose the ones that match your goal.
About the work: What does a typical week look like? What do you spend the most time on? What's the hardest part of the job? About skills: Which skills matter most day to day? Which would you hire for first? What do new people struggle with? About breaking in: How did you get into this field? How would you do it today? Which roles are good stepping stones? About the company: How does your team work with others? What does success look like in your role? How has the team changed recently? Closing: Who else should I talk to? Is there anything I should read? May I keep in touch?
Disclosure: TryHired makes HIRED, a paid job-search program, so we have a conflict of interest when we mention it. Every template on this page is free to use without buying anything.
Running the conversation
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Before | Read their profile and the company's recent news. |
| First two minutes | Thank them, restate your goal, confirm the time limit. |
| Middle | Ask your questions; let them talk. |
| Last two minutes | Ask who else you should speak to. |
| Within 24 hours | Send the thank-you note. |
The same message, rewritten
Illustrative example with fictional details.
| Version | Example |
|---|---|
| Weak | Could you help me get a job at your company? |
| Strong | I'm trying to understand what the work is really like and how people move into it. Would you be open to a 15-minute call about your path from teaching into UX research? |
Why it matters: Asking for a job turns a learning conversation into a favour. Asking about their path is easy to agree to, and they will often offer help unprompted if the talk goes well.
Mistakes to avoid
- Asking for a job in the conversation.
- Running over time.
- Asking questions a quick search would answer.
- Not following up afterwards.
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Questions people ask
What is an informational interview?
How long should an informational interview be?
What should I ask in an informational interview?
Can an informational interview lead to a job?
How this page is built
Written by Maid Dizdarevic, a career coach and 8x LinkedIn Top Voice. The templates and timing guides are practical advice, labelled as advice. We do not publish response rates or success rates, and every example uses fictional details.
- How a specific employer or recruiter will respond: practices vary by company, industry and person.
- Legal advice: for contracts, severance releases or disputes, talk to an employment attorney or the relevant agency.
- Outcomes: no message, template or program can promise an interview or a job.
- TryHired editorial guidance by Maid Dizdarevic, career coach, Nov 2, 2026.