How to Conduct Informational Interviews

Whether you’re someone who’s just learned about informational interviews, a student looking to conduct an informational interview for an assignment, or a career seeker trying to expand their network, informational interviews can be a daunting task. If approached intentionally, they can provide great insight, help to guide your career journey, and even tap you into the hidden job market! Keep reading to learn the 5 tips for conducting a successful informational interview.  

• Decide who you would like to speak with. If you want to conduct an informational interview with someone you already know, you’re ahead of the curve! Skip to the next step. If not, don’t worry: thanks to the help of company websites and LinkedIn, you can easily identify who you’d benefit from talking to and a way to reach them.  
  • If there is a specific company or organization, you’re interested in working with, head to their website to see if their management team is listed. Employers who make this information available will often include work email addresses or phone numbers. Tip: look for those who would be decision-makers in the hiring process for positions you’d like to apply for in the future. Meeting with them before a job is available is a great way to show interest.  
  • If contact information isn’t available or you don’t have a specific employer in mind, LinkedIn will be your best friend. You can search by company, position, or name to find people to speak with. If you’re searching by job title, be sure to limit your search results to the geographic area you’d like to work in. Again, try to find someone you think would be a decision-maker! If their contact information isn’t available on LinkedIn, you can use the platform’s messaging function or call their place of employment and request to speak with them.  

• Make initial contact with the person you’ve identified. For many people, making the ask is the most uncomfortable part of the process. Try to remember that they were once in your shoes and will likely be more than happy to help. Having a script ready to go will make this step a lot easier and allow you to contact a handful of people at a time. Your outreach should include:   
  • Who you are: Give some introductory information about yourself (1-2 sentences).
  • What you’re asking of them: Let them know you’d like to conduct a brief (15-20 minute) informational interview. 
  • Why you’d like to interview them: Express interest in their company, their work, or the area they work in and (most importantly) why you are interested. 
  • When you’d be available to meet: Provide 2-3 times you’re available, as well as the format you’d like to meet via (Zoom, Teams, or in person). Make sure to let them know you’re flexible & willing to make other times work if their schedule doesn’t allow for your suggestions!  

• Do your homework. Once you’ve set up the informational interview, do some further research into the person you’ll be speaking with, the requirements of their role, and their company/ organization. This will help guide the questions you ask and show that you care! I would suggest writing out some initial questions that you can add to during the interview. These should be tailored to the specific field, company, or position the interviewee is in, but here are some baseline questions to get you started:  
  • Tell me about your role
  • What does a day at work look like for you?
  • How did you get started in (insert field)? 
  • What has your career path looked like?
  • What do you enjoy most about your job/company?
  • What is the most challenging?
  • What advice would you give someone looking to become a (insert role)? 
  • Additionally, prepare some things to say about yourself during the interview. Having a brief introduction to yourself, your experience, and your interests written down will help you come across as polished and professional.

• Conducting the interview. Plan to show up at least 5-10 minutes beforehand if you’re meeting in person, and ensure your tech is working and ready to go if you’re meeting virtually. Dress to impress, but don’t overthink it! Keep in mind the type of company or organizational culture that the interviewee works in and try to match what is acceptable and professional in that context.  
  • Start the meeting by thanking them for their time. After all, they didn’t have to meet with you, they chose to. Take a moment to formally introduce yourself (here’s where your homework comes in handy) and allow them to do the same before diving into your questions. After establishing a conversational environment, you can start asking your questions. As the interview goes on, you may have additional questions that you hadn’t written down. Be mindful of their time but ask away!
  • Finally, the last question you should always ask in an informational interview is this: “Who else would you recommend I speak to?” Utilizing their network can save you time finding others to interview, and you can always reach out with “So-and-so recommended I connect with you to talk about…” If you’re conducting informational interviews as part of your job search, the first one rarely turns into an opportunity. But by the second or third interview, you should have some options available to you!

• After the interview. Be sure to thank the interviewee for their time (again!) within 24 hours of the interview. Ask if you can stay in contact with them via LinkedIn or email—this shows interest, keeps your name in front of them, and allows you to be in-the-know when they are hiring!  

Following these steps will help you conduct intentional, meaningful, and productive informational interviews—growing your professional network and expanding your potential opportunities. Who knows? Maybe they have a role in mind that would be a great fit for you (now or in the future!) You’re sure to stand out in the sea of applicants when a personal connection has already been established.  

For more information on healthcare careers, professional development, and workplace tips, check out our other blog posts!