The Informational Interview: Your Secret Weapon for Getting Hired

Everyone says "network." Almost nobody does this specific thing.

Ask any career advisor their number one recommendation and they'll say networking. Ask them for the specific mechanism and they'll say informational interviews. Ask job seekers how many they've done and the answer is almost always zero.

That gap is your opportunity. Informational interviews are the most effective way to learn about a field, build relationships with decision-makers, and generate referrals. They work because they invert the normal dynamic: instead of asking for something, you're offering your genuine attention and curiosity. People love talking about their work. Let them.

What it is and what it isn't

It is: A 15 to 20 minute conversation with someone working in your target field. A chance to learn. A chance to be remembered.

It is not: A job interview wearing a fake nose and glasses. The moment you turn it into a pitch, you've violated the social contract that made the conversation possible. Don't hand them your resume. Don't ask for a referral. Don't even hint. If they offer, great. If they don't, you've still built something valuable.

How to ask

Find the right people

Target people 1 to 2 levels above where you'd enter, at companies on your target list. Mutual connections are ideal. LinkedIn cold outreach works too, especially if they're active on the platform.

The outreach message

Short. Specific. Easy to say yes to:

"Hi [Name], I'm a [role/background] exploring [target field]. I came across your profile and was impressed by [specific detail]. Would you be open to a 15-minute call about your experience at [Company]? Completely understand if the timing doesn't work."

That's it. Personalized, time-bounded, low-pressure. Don't overthink it.

The response rate

Expect 30 to 40%. Send 10 messages to get 3 to 4 conversations. Follow up once after 5 to 7 days. After two non-responses, move on.

How to run the conversation

Prepare 5 to 7 questions

Have more than you'll need:

• "What does a typical week look like in your role?"
• "What skills are most valuable in this field that nobody talks about?"
• "What surprised you most when you started?"
• "If you were entering this field today, what would you do differently?"
• "What are the biggest challenges your team is facing right now?"
• "Is there anyone else you'd recommend I speak with?"

That last question is everything. It's how one conversation becomes three.

During the conversation

Listen more than you talk. Take notes. Be genuine. People detect inauthenticity instantly. If something they say genuinely interests you, say so. If you disagree, explore it respectfully. Don't be a sycophant.

When 15 minutes approaches: "I want to be respectful of your time. One more question, or should we wrap?" Let them decide. Most will keep going. The ones who don't will remember that you respected their boundaries.

What not to do

• Don't ask for a job during the conversation
• Don't send your resume unless they ask for it
• Don't monologue about yourself
• Don't reschedule or show up late. This person is doing you a favor. Treat it like the gift it is.

The follow-up is where the real value lives

Within 24 hours

Send a thank-you that references something specific: "Your insight about [topic] was particularly helpful and shifted how I'm thinking about [related thing]."

Generic thank-yous are forgettable. Specific ones make people feel valued.

Within 2 to 4 weeks

Share something relevant: an article related to what you discussed, a follow-up on their advice, or a brief update. This keeps the relationship alive without being pushy.

The long game

Some of these relationships will lead to referrals. Some to mentorship. Some to nothing tangible. All of them expand your understanding. Track your informational interviews alongside applications and contacts in Orbit so you follow up at the right time and never lose track of what you're building.

Why this works so damn well

When a job opens at a company where you've already had 2 to 3 conversations, you're not a stranger submitting a cold application. You're someone they've met. Someone who showed genuine interest. Someone whose name actually rings a bell.

In a market where hundreds of qualified people apply for every role, familiarity is the difference between getting an interview and getting filtered out. It's not fair. It's how it works.

Send one outreach message this week. Just one. See what it opens.