How to run an informational interview

Updated September 2026. This 2024 story has been updated with practical steps from the current Academy.

An informational interview is a short conversation to learn from someone’s experience. It can clarify a role, company, or career path and help a professional relationship develop. It is not a disguised job interview or a demand for a referral.

Prepare a reason to connect

Research the person’s work and write one or two genuine questions. Explain why their perspective is relevant to your exploration.

Make a small request

Ask for a limited amount of time and make it easy to decline. If the person agrees, confirm the time and the topic in advance.

Listen and follow the answer

Start with a brief introduction, then ask about the work, challenges, learning, and how success is measured. Follow useful threads rather than racing through a script.

Close the loop

Summarize what you learned, thank the person, and agree on any appropriate next step. Send a specific thank-you and follow through on promises.

Put it into practice: Write five questions for one person whose work you are trying to understand. Remove anything answered by a public website.

Practice with the professional conversations lesson and track the next step in MissionXP.