What are informational interviews and why should you do them?

Informational interview: speaking with someone about their knowledge for insights on their career path & areas of interest. This is not a request for a job or an interview!

They can feel intimidating at first. Reaching out to someone you don’t know, asking for their time, and trying to figure out what to say can feel like a lot, especially if you’re early in your career. There’s often that hesitation of wondering whether they’ll respond at all, or if you’re asking for too much.

At the same time, they’re one of the most useful ways to actually understand what a career looks like beyond job descriptions. It’s one thing to read about a role online, and another to hear directly from someone who is doing it day-to-day. Those conversations tend to give you a much clearer picture of what the work is actually like, what skills matter, and what paths people took to get there.

They also become easier with practice. The first one can take a lot of time, thinking through what to say, rewriting emails, second guessing everything. Over time, it becomes more natural. You get more comfortable reaching out, and the process feels less like a big step and more like a normal part of exploring careers.

How to find people to have informational interviews with

Mutual Connections

LinkedIn is usually one of the easiest places to start. Looking through second-degree connections can give you a list of people who are already somewhat within your network. You can reach out directly, or if you’re more comfortable, ask your mutual connection to introduce you.

Starting this way can make the process feel less overwhelming. There’s already some level of connection, even if it’s indirect, which can make reaching out feel more natural. Over time, as you build confidence, it becomes easier to expand beyond just mutual connections.

Organizations/ Societies/ Community Service and Outreach

Professional organizations and societies are often full of people at different stages in their careers. Conferences, events, and outreach programs create opportunities to meet people in a more natural setting before reaching out again later.

These environments can make the first interaction feel more organic. Instead of a completely cold message, you’re following up after a conversation or shared experience. That small difference can make it easier to start building a connection.

Ask for recommendations from advisors and people you have already had informational interviews with

This is often one of the most effective approaches. Advisors and mentors usually have networks of people they trust, and their recommendations can give you a strong starting point.

A helpful habit is to ask at the end of each informational interview if there’s someone else they recommend speaking with. Over time, this creates a chain of conversations that naturally expands your network without needing to start from scratch each time.

How to craft the email/LinkedIn message

  • Introduce yourself and your career interests briefly
  • Say why you are interested in talking with them about X career path
  • Give date and time options (email only, because LinkedIn messages have a character limit)
  • Keep it short and sweet

Writing the message is often the part that feels the most difficult. There’s a tendency to overthink it, trying to make it perfect or worrying about how it will be received. In reality, keeping it simple is usually more effective.

The goal isn’t to explain everything about yourself, but to give enough context so the person understands why you’re reaching out. Being clear about your interest in their career path and respectful of their time goes a long way.

It also helps to remember that not everyone will respond, and that’s normal. Response rates can vary, and it’s not necessarily a reflection of your message. Keeping the email concise and specific makes it easier for someone to quickly read and decide whether they’re available to chat.

An example: Dear Dr. X, I hope you are doing well! I am reaching out because [a bit about you/your interests] and am eager to learn about what a career path in [X] looks like. I noticed [mention mutual connection/organization/how you found them] and I’d love to learn a some insight from you if you would be willing to chat!

How to prepare

  • Check out their LinkedIn and where they’ve worked
  • Think of a couple questions specific to who you’re talking to
  • Respond promptly and clearly with when you are available
  • Take a notebook
  • Send a calendar invite (with a zoom link if it’s virtual)

Preparation doesn’t need to be complicated, but having a general idea of who you’re speaking with makes the conversation smoother. Looking at their background helps you ask more relevant questions and shows that you’ve taken the time to understand their experience.

Having a few questions prepared also helps avoid awkward pauses. The conversation doesn’t need to be overly structured, but having a starting point makes it easier to keep things flowing.

It’s also helpful to treat the conversation with a level of professionalism, even though it’s informal. Being on time, prepared, and respectful of their schedule makes a good impression and sets the tone for future interactions.

Generic Questions for looking at jobs post-PhD

  • How did you transition into your field?
  • Was a postdoc helpful?
  • Do you have any advice what current PhD students can do to be better prepared to transition into X?

These types of questions are useful because they open up the conversation rather than leading to simple yes or no answers. They give the person space to share their experience, which is usually where the most valuable insights come from.

You can also adjust these questions depending on who you’re speaking with. The more specific you can be to their background, the more detailed and relevant their answers tend to be.