How to Prepare for Informational Interviews

Informational interviews are a powerful, low‑pressure way to learn about a role, industry, or company from someone who lives it every day. When you know how to prepare for informational interviews, you turn a casual conversation into a strategic career move. In this guide we’ll walk through every step—from research and outreach to follow‑up—so you can walk into each chat confident, curious, and ready to make a lasting impression.

What Is an Informational Interview?

An informational interview is a brief, usually 20‑30 minute conversation where you ask a professional about their job, career path, and the organization they work for. Unlike a job interview, you’re not being evaluated for a position; you’re gathering intelligence to shape your own career decisions.

“I treat informational interviews as free mentorship sessions. They give me a window into the day‑to‑day reality of roles I’m considering.” – Career coach, LinkedIn

Why They Matter (And the Numbers Behind Them)

• 73% of professionals say networking helped them land their current job (source: LinkedIn Global Talent Trends 2023).
• 58% of job seekers who conduct informational interviews report a clearer understanding of required skills and company culture.
• A well‑prepared informational interview can lead to referrals, which increase interview chances by 2‑3× according to a study by Jobvite.

These stats prove that mastering the art of informational interviews isn’t just nice‑to‑have—it’s a career accelerator.

When to Request an Informational Interview

Step‑By‑Step Preparation Checklist

1. Identify Your Goal – What specific insight do you need? (e.g., day‑to‑day responsibilities, skill gaps, company culture).
2. Select the Right Person – Aim for someone 1‑2 levels above the role you’re interested in, or a peer who recently transitioned.
3. Research Deeply – Use LinkedIn, company blogs, and news articles. Note recent projects, awards, or product launches.
4. Craft a Concise Outreach Email – Keep it under 150 words, personalize, and propose a 20‑minute slot.
5. Prepare a Question List – Prioritize 5‑7 high‑value questions (see section below).
6. Practice Your Pitch – Use Resumly’s Interview Practice tool to rehearse your opening and flow.
7. Set Logistics – Confirm time zone, platform (Zoom, Teams, phone), and test tech.
8. Follow‑Up Promptly – Send a thank‑you within 24 hours and outline next steps.

Crafting the Perfect Outreach Email

Below is a template you can copy‑paste and tweak. Keep it personal, brief, and action‑oriented.

Subject: Quick 20‑Minute Chat? – Curious About Your Role at [Company]

Hi [First Name],

I’m a marketing professional exploring a transition into product management. I was impressed by your recent launch of the XYZ feature (see the press release [link]) and would love to hear about your experience shaping product strategy at [Company].

Would you have 20 minutes for a brief call next week? I’m flexible and can work around your schedule.

Thank you for considering, and I appreciate any insight you can share.

Best regards,
[Your Name]
[LinkedIn Profile] | [Phone]

Pro tip: Mention a specific project or article to show you’ve done your homework. This dramatically increases response rates.

Setting the Agenda (Do’s & Don’ts)

Do:

• State your purpose in the first minute (e.g., “I’m exploring product management and would love your perspective”).
• Keep the conversation focused on the interviewee’s experience, not your resume.
• Ask permission before diving into deeper topics.

Don’t:

• Turn the chat into a sales pitch for yourself.
• Ask about salary or compensation in the first meeting.
• Overrun the agreed time without asking.

High‑Impact Questions to Ask

1. Can you walk me through a typical day in your role?
2. What skills or experiences were most valuable when you first started?
3. What challenges do you face regularly, and how do you overcome them?
4. How does your team measure success?
5. What professional development resources have helped you the most?
6. What’s the company culture like, especially regarding collaboration and feedback?
7. Are there any upcoming projects that excite you?
8. What advice would you give someone transitioning into this field?
9. How do you stay current with industry trends?
10. Would you be open to reviewing my resume or cover letter for feedback? (Great segue to Resumly’s AI tools.)

Feel free to reorder or add questions that align with your goal.

Practice Makes Perfect – Use Resumly’s Interview‑Practice Feature

Before the call, rehearse your opening and question flow with Resumly’s Interview Practice tool. The AI simulates a conversational partner, gives real‑time feedback on tone, pacing, and filler words, and even suggests stronger phrasing. A polished delivery shows respect for the interviewee’s time and boosts your confidence.

Day‑Of Checklist

• Test your tech – Camera, microphone, internet speed.
• Have a notepad – Either digital or paper for quick jotting.
• Set a quiet environment – Minimize background noise.
• Review your research – Company news, interviewee’s recent posts.
• Warm‑up – Do a 2‑minute vocal warm‑up (e.g., humming) to clear your voice.
• Smile and maintain eye contact – Even on video, it translates to warmth.

Follow‑Up: The Thank‑You Email Blueprint

A thoughtful thank‑you reinforces your professionalism and keeps the door open for future help.

Subject: Thank You – Insightful Conversation About [Topic]

Hi [First Name],

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me yesterday. I especially appreciated your insight on [specific point], which gave me a clearer view of how to approach [related challenge].

I’ve attached a brief summary of the key takeaways for your reference. If you have any additional resources or suggestions, I’d love to hear them.

Thanks again, and I hope we can stay in touch.

Best,
[Your Name]
[LinkedIn] | [Phone]

Tip: Mention one actionable step you’ll take based on the conversation. It shows you value their advice.

Turning Insights Into Action

1. Update Your Resume – Incorporate language you heard the interviewee use. Use Resumly’s AI Resume Builder to align keywords.
2. Tailor Your Cover Letter – Reference a project or value discussed. Resumly’s AI Cover Letter can help you craft a compelling narrative.
3. Fill Skill Gaps – If a skill was highlighted, run a quick check with Resumly’s Skills Gap Analyzer.
4. Network Further – Use the Networking Co‑Pilot to identify other contacts in the same company or industry.
5. Apply Strategically – Leverage the Job Match feature to find roles that align with the new insights.

Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

Mini Case Study: From Informational Interview to Offer

Background: Sarah, a data analyst, wanted to move into product analytics at a tech startup.

1. Research: She identified the Head of Product Analytics on LinkedIn, read their recent webinar, and noted a new feature launch.
2. Outreach: Using the email template, she secured a 20‑minute Zoom call.
3. Preparation: Sarah practiced her opening with Resumly’s Interview Practice and drafted 6 targeted questions.
4. Conversation: She asked about the team’s data stack, challenges in measuring feature adoption, and recommended resources.
5. Follow‑Up: Sent a thank‑you email, attached a one‑page summary, and asked if she could review her portfolio.
6. Result: The interviewee introduced Sarah to the hiring manager, who invited her to a formal interview. Within a month, Sarah received an offer.

Takeaway: A well‑prepared informational interview can become a direct pipeline to a new role.

Leverage More Resumly Tools to Supercharge Your Journey

• AI Cover Letter – Turn interview insights into a tailored cover letter that speaks the company’s language.
• Job Search – Find openings that match the skills you discovered.
• Application Tracker – Keep tabs on every contact and follow‑up date.
• Career Guide – Dive deeper into industry‑specific advice.
• Blog – Stay updated with the latest networking strategies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How long should an informational interview last?

Typically 20‑30 minutes. Respect the interviewee’s time and ask if they’d like to extend.

2. Should I prepare a resume to share?

Only if the interviewee offers to review it. Otherwise, keep the focus on learning.

3. What if I don’t get a response to my outreach email?

Follow up after 5‑7 business days with a polite reminder. If still no reply, move on to another contact.

4. Can I conduct an informational interview over email?

While possible, a live conversation yields richer, nuanced insights. Use email only when a call isn’t feasible.

5. How many informational interviews should I aim for per month?

Aim for 3‑5 quality conversations. Quality beats quantity; each should align with a specific career question.

6. Is it okay to ask for a referral during the interview?

Only after you’ve built rapport and the interviewee has offered to help. Phrase it as, “If you think my background fits any openings, I’d appreciate a referral.”

7. What if the interviewee says they’re too busy?

Offer a shorter time slot (10‑15 minutes) or ask for a future date. Show flexibility.

8. How do I keep track of all the contacts and notes?

Use Resumly’s Application Tracker or a simple spreadsheet with columns for contact, date, key takeaways, and follow‑up actions.

Conclusion: Mastering the Art of Preparation

When you know how to prepare for informational interviews, you turn casual chats into strategic career moves. By researching thoroughly, crafting concise outreach, practicing with AI tools, and following up thoughtfully, you’ll build a network that not only informs you but also opens doors.

Ready to level up your preparation? Try Resumly’s Interview Practice today, polish your resume with the AI Resume Builder, and let the Networking Co‑Pilot guide you to the right contacts.

Start scheduling those informational interviews now—your next career breakthrough could be just one conversation away.