What is the best way to request an informational interview?

1 Identify your goals

Before you reach out to anyone, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve from the informational interview. Do you want to learn more about their role, their company, their industry, or their career journey? Do you want to ask for advice, feedback, or referrals? Do you want to establish a long-term relationship or a one-time conversation? Having specific and realistic goals will help you narrow down your list of potential contacts, tailor your message, and prepare your questions.

2 Research your contact

Once you have identified who you want to talk to, you need to do some background research on them. Find out as much as you can about their professional profile, their current and past positions, their education, their interests, and their achievements. You can use LinkedIn, Google, or their company website to gather this information. The more you know about your contact, the more you can show your genuine interest, relevance, and appreciation.

3 Write a concise and polite email

The next step is to write an email that introduces yourself, explains your purpose, and requests a meeting. Keep your email short, clear, and courteous. Start with a friendly greeting and a brief introduction of who you are and what you do. Then, state why you are contacting them and what you hope to learn from them. Mention how you found their contact information and what you have in common, such as a mutual connection, a shared interest, or a relevant experience. Next, ask if they would be willing to spare some time for an informational interview, and suggest a few options for the date, time, and format of the meeting. Finally, thank them for their consideration and end with a professional sign-off.

5 Prepare and conduct the interview

Once you have secured the meeting, you need to prepare yourself for the interview. Review your goals and research, and prepare a list of relevant and open-ended questions that you want to ask. You should also have your resume, portfolio, or business card ready in case they ask for it. On the day of the interview, be punctual, polite, and professional. Dress appropriately, smile, and make eye contact. Start with some small talk and rapport-building, then move on to your questions. Listen actively, take notes, and show your interest and appreciation. Avoid asking for a job, a favor, or anything that might make them uncomfortable. Instead, focus on learning, sharing, and building a connection.

6 Follow up and maintain the relationship

After the interview, you should send a thank-you note within 24 hours. Thank them for their time, their insights, and their advice. Highlight what you learned, how you benefited, and how you plan to apply it. You can also ask for their feedback, their suggestions, or their permission to stay in touch. If they agree, you should keep them updated on your progress, your achievements, or your challenges. You can also send them relevant articles, resources, or referrals that might interest them. The goal is to nurture and sustain the relationship, not to exploit or annoy them.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?