Prep for Informational Interview
Treat informational interviews professionally, just like you would a formal interview
Practice
write
research
research
Practice
Ending the conversation
Thoughtful questions
Research
Learn about the company
Learn about the industry
Introducing yourself
Review their Linked In
avoid
value
network
Follow Up
Don't do this
Interview has long term value
Building relationships
What comes next
One conversation should not be the end of the relationship.
Within 24 hours:
- Send a thank-you email or LinkedIn message
- Mention something specific you learned from the conversation
Over time:
- Stay connected on LinkedIn
- Occasionally share updates or milestones
- Reach out when you have meaningful updates, questions, or accomplishments
Examples:
- Letting them know you landed an internship
- Thanking them for advice that helped you
- Sharing an article related to a topic you discussed
Professional relationships are built gradually through consistency, authenticity, and mutual respect.
Learn about the industry.
Take time to understand the industry or field they work in. Learn common terminology, major trends, challenges, and types of roles within the industry. Even basic research helps you ask more thoughtful questions and better understand how different careers and companies fit together.
Review Their Linked In.
Before the conversation, spend a few minutes reviewing their LinkedIn profile. Pay attention to their career path, current role, education, and previous experience. This helps you ask stronger questions, identify common interests, and avoid asking questions you could easily answer yourself.
Learn about the company.
Research the company beforehand so you understand its products, services, culture, and industry. Having a basic understanding of the organization allows for more meaningful conversation and shows professionalism, preparation, and genuine interest.
Good Questions to Ask.
How did you get started in your career? What does a typical day look like in your role? What skills are most important for success in this field? What do you enjoy most about your work? What challenges should someone entering this industry expect? What advice would you give someone early in their career? Are there experiences, internships, or certifications that would help me stand out? How would you describe your company culture?
What to Avoid.
- Immediately asking for a job
- Dominating the conversation
- Asking questions you could easily find online
- Speaking negatively about past experiences or employers
Remember, people are more likely to help individuals who are curious, respectful, prepared, and appreciative.
Use your elevator pitch.
Be prepared to give a brief introduction about who you are, what you are studying or interested in, and why you wanted to connect with them. This is a great opportunity to practice your elevator pitch in a natural, conversational setting. Keep it concise, professional, and authentic. You do not need to recite your entire résumé. Focus on creating a confident introduction that helps start the conversation naturally.
This is a valuable career-building tool.
Every conversation helps you:
- Learn more about yourself
- Build confidence
- Expand your network
- Better understand the professional world
You never know which conversation may lead to mentorship, opportunities, referrals, or long-term professional relationships.
Ending the Conversation.
As the conversation wraps up:
- Thank them sincerely for their time and insights
- Ask if there is anyone else they recommend you speak with
- Mention one or two takeaways you found especially helpful
- A simple and professional ending leaves a strong impression.
Example: “Thank you again for taking the time to speak with me today. I really appreciated your advice about breaking into the industry and learning more about your experience at [Company].”
One conversation should not be the end of the relationship.
Within 24 hours: Send a thank-you email or LinkedIn message Mention something specific you learned from the conversation Over time:
- Stay connected on LinkedIn
- Occasionally share updates or milestones
- Reach out when you have meaningful updates, questions, or accomplishments
Examples:
- Letting them know you landed an internship
- Thanking them for advice that helped you
- Sharing an article related to a topic you discussed
Professional relationships are built gradually through consistency, authenticity, and mutual respect.
Building relationships.
Informational interviews are not just about gathering information. They are also an opportunity to begin building genuine professional relationships. Focus on being curious, respectful, and engaged in the conversation. Over time, these connections can lead to mentorship, referrals, industry insight, and future opportunities. Strong networks are built through authentic conversations and consistent follow-up, not by immediately asking for a job.
Prep for Informational Interview
Lynn Herrick
Created on May 14, 2026
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Transcript
Prep for Informational Interview
Treat informational interviews professionally, just like you would a formal interview
Practice
write
research
research
Practice
Ending the conversation
Thoughtful questions
Research
Learn about the company
Learn about the industry
Introducing yourself
Review their Linked In
avoid
value
network
Follow Up
Don't do this
Interview has long term value
Building relationships
What comes next
One conversation should not be the end of the relationship.
Within 24 hours:
- Send a thank-you email or LinkedIn message
- Mention something specific you learned from the conversation
Over time:- Stay connected on LinkedIn
- Occasionally share updates or milestones
- Reach out when you have meaningful updates, questions, or accomplishments
Examples:- Letting them know you landed an internship
- Thanking them for advice that helped you
- Sharing an article related to a topic you discussed
Professional relationships are built gradually through consistency, authenticity, and mutual respect.Learn about the industry.
Take time to understand the industry or field they work in. Learn common terminology, major trends, challenges, and types of roles within the industry. Even basic research helps you ask more thoughtful questions and better understand how different careers and companies fit together.
Review Their Linked In.
Before the conversation, spend a few minutes reviewing their LinkedIn profile. Pay attention to their career path, current role, education, and previous experience. This helps you ask stronger questions, identify common interests, and avoid asking questions you could easily answer yourself.
Learn about the company.
Research the company beforehand so you understand its products, services, culture, and industry. Having a basic understanding of the organization allows for more meaningful conversation and shows professionalism, preparation, and genuine interest.
Good Questions to Ask.
How did you get started in your career? What does a typical day look like in your role? What skills are most important for success in this field? What do you enjoy most about your work? What challenges should someone entering this industry expect? What advice would you give someone early in their career? Are there experiences, internships, or certifications that would help me stand out? How would you describe your company culture?
What to Avoid.
- Immediately asking for a job
- Dominating the conversation
- Asking questions you could easily find online
- Speaking negatively about past experiences or employers
Remember, people are more likely to help individuals who are curious, respectful, prepared, and appreciative.Use your elevator pitch.
Be prepared to give a brief introduction about who you are, what you are studying or interested in, and why you wanted to connect with them. This is a great opportunity to practice your elevator pitch in a natural, conversational setting. Keep it concise, professional, and authentic. You do not need to recite your entire résumé. Focus on creating a confident introduction that helps start the conversation naturally.
This is a valuable career-building tool.
Every conversation helps you:
- Learn more about yourself
- Build confidence
- Expand your network
- Better understand the professional world
You never know which conversation may lead to mentorship, opportunities, referrals, or long-term professional relationships.Ending the Conversation.
As the conversation wraps up:
- Thank them sincerely for their time and insights
- Ask if there is anyone else they recommend you speak with
- Mention one or two takeaways you found especially helpful
- A simple and professional ending leaves a strong impression.
Example: “Thank you again for taking the time to speak with me today. I really appreciated your advice about breaking into the industry and learning more about your experience at [Company].”One conversation should not be the end of the relationship.
Within 24 hours: Send a thank-you email or LinkedIn message Mention something specific you learned from the conversation Over time:
- Stay connected on LinkedIn
- Occasionally share updates or milestones
- Reach out when you have meaningful updates, questions, or accomplishments
Examples:- Letting them know you landed an internship
- Thanking them for advice that helped you
- Sharing an article related to a topic you discussed
Professional relationships are built gradually through consistency, authenticity, and mutual respect.Building relationships.
Informational interviews are not just about gathering information. They are also an opportunity to begin building genuine professional relationships. Focus on being curious, respectful, and engaged in the conversation. Over time, these connections can lead to mentorship, referrals, industry insight, and future opportunities. Strong networks are built through authentic conversations and consistent follow-up, not by immediately asking for a job.