An informational interview is a short conversation (15–30 minutes) with someone in a career you’re exploring. You ask about their work, not for a job. Find people through your network, LinkedIn or professional groups, send a brief, specific request, come with questions, respect their time and send a thank-you note within 24 hours.
Why informational interviews work
Job descriptions tell you what a job is supposed to be. People who do the job tell you what it’s actually like: the schedule, the stress, the rewards, the culture and how they got in. A few conversations can save you months or years in the wrong program.
They also build relationships. People you talk to often remember you when openings come up.
Who to ask
- Friends, family, neighbors, teachers and former coworkers, and the people they know
- Alumni from your high school or college
- People on LinkedIn with the job title you’re exploring
- Members of professional associations or local trade unions
- Instructors at community colleges and training programs
How to ask
Keep it short, specific and easy to say yes to.
If you don’t hear back in a week, send one polite follow-up. Then move on.
Before the conversation
- Read their profile and the career pages on our site so you can ask deeper questions.
- Pick your top 8–10 questions from the list below.
- Prepare a 30-second introduction about yourself and why you’re exploring this field.
25 questions to ask
Grab the printable informational interview question list. A few favorites:
- What does a typical day or week look like?
- What surprised you most when you started?
- What do you enjoy most, and least?
- What skills matter most for success?
- How did you get into this field?
- What training or credentials do employers actually care about?
- If you were starting over, what would you do differently?
- How do people usually advance and increase their pay?
- What kind of person thrives here, and who struggles?
- Who else would you recommend I talk to?
During the conversation
- Be on time and keep to the time you asked for.
- Listen more than you talk and take notes.
- Don’t ask for a job. If they offer help, accept gratefully.
- End by asking who else you should talk to.
After the conversation
Send a thank-you message within 24 hours that mentions one specific piece of advice you’ll use. Update them later when you take a step they suggested: people love hearing that they helped.
Frequently asked questions
How long should an informational interview be?
Ask for 15–30 minutes and stick to it. If the person wants to keep talking, let them lead.
Is it okay to ask how much they earn?
Avoid asking someone’s personal salary. Instead ask about typical pay ranges and how people increase their earnings, and check our BLS salary data.
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