Request Informational Interview: 6 Templates + Best Practices

Request Informational Interview: 6 Templates + Best Practices

Informational interviews are valuable opportunities to learn about careers, industries, and roles from experienced professionals. These templates help you request informational interviews effectively.

What to Include in an Informational Interview Request

A good informational interview request should include:

Essential elements:

• Clear subject line: Include your name and purpose
• Brief introduction: Who you are and your current status
• Specific reason: Why you're reaching out to them specifically
• What you want to learn: Specific topics or questions
• Flexible scheduling: Offer multiple options (video, phone, in-person, email)
• Respectful tone: Acknowledge their time is valuable
• Professional closing: Thank you and contact information

Optional but helpful:

• Reference to mutual connections
• Specific thing you admire about their work or company
• Prepared questions (but keep it flexible)
• Offer to help them in return

Subject Lines for Informational Interview Requests

Standard:

• "Informational Interview Request - [Your Name]"
• "Career Advice Request - [Your Name]"
• "Learning About [Industry] - [Your Name]"

Specific:

• "Career Transition Advice - [Your Name]"
• "Recent [Field] Graduate - Career Advice"
• "[Industry] Exploration - [Your Name]"

With connection:

• "Informational Interview Request - Referred by [Name]"
• "[Mutual Connection] - Career Advice Request"

Brief:

• "Quick Career Advice - [Your Name]"
• "15-Minute Chat Request - [Your Name]"

Best practices:

• Include your name
• Be clear about the purpose
• Keep it professional
• Make it easy to identify

When to Use Each Template

Standard Request: Use for most informational interview requests - professional and complete.

Career Transition Request: Use when you're transitioning to a new field and want to learn from someone who made a similar transition.

Recent Graduate Request: Use when you're a recent graduate exploring career opportunities.

Industry Exploration Request: Use when you're exploring a new industry or field.

Brief Request: Use when you want to be concise or when reaching out to someone very busy.

Through Mutual Connection: Use when you have a mutual connection who suggested you reach out.

Best Practices for Informational Interviews

Before the interview:

• Research the person and their company
• Prepare thoughtful questions
• Be clear about what you want to learn
• Respect their time constraints

During the interview:

• Be punctual and prepared
• Listen actively and take notes
• Ask thoughtful questions
• Be respectful of their time
• Don't ask for a job or referral (unless they offer)

After the interview:

• Send a thank you email within 24 hours
• Reference something specific from your conversation
• Offer to help them in return
• Keep the relationship going

Questions to Ask

Career path:

• How did you get to where you are today?
• What was your career path?
• What decisions were most important in your career?

Role and industry:

• What does a typical day look like in your role?
• What do you enjoy most about your work?
• What are the biggest challenges in your field?

Skills and experience:

• What skills are most valuable in this field?
• What experiences prepared you best?
• What would you recommend for someone starting out?

Industry insights:

• What are current trends in the industry?
• What changes do you see coming?
• What advice do you have for someone entering this field?

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don't:

• Ask for a job or referral in the first email
• Be vague about what you want to learn
• Request too much time (keep it to 15-30 minutes)
• Forget to follow up with a thank you
• Be pushy or demanding

Do:

• Be specific about what you want to learn
• Respect their time and boundaries
• Prepare thoughtful questions
• Send a thank you email afterward
• Build genuine relationships

Related Resources

For more guidance on professional networking:

• Networking Email - Templates for networking emails
• Follow-Up After Meeting - Templates for following up after meetings
• Professional Email Templates - Browse all professional templates