16 Feb Templates for Requesting Informational Interviews
Templates for Requesting Informational Interviews
Informational interviews are a great way to gain valuable knowledge in pursuit of career goals. Informational interviews can often lead to career opportunities, although you should never bank on it as your only job searching tactic. Informational Interviews will most certainly open you to new connections that can play a big part in your career as it evolves. Not a lot of people make Informational Interviews part of their job search, so make them a part of yours and see how they propel your job search and career advancement!
But first, if you haven’t read my post “Informational Interviews: What They Are, Why They Are Important and How to Request Them,” start there to learn how informational interviews can benefit you and my favorite strategies for requesting informational interviews.
For informational interviews to be most useful for you, be very clear on the information you are seeking. Knowing specifically what you are looking to understand will make your time more productive. It will also help secure meetings as people are more likely to say “yes” when the reason for your request is crystal clear. When requesting an informational interview, let people know specifically how they can support you and be respectful of their time.
Once you are clear on the “what” and the “why” for conducting your Informational Interviews, make a list of the “who;” people who are the best sources of the information you are seeking. This list should include people who have information from firsthand experience. Don’t be afraid to also include people who don’t directly have the information you are seeking but likely know someone who does.
Now you are ready to start sending out your requests for Informational Interviews.
Here are four templates you can customize and use to request informational interviews. Each one is positioned for the relationship you have (or don’t have) with the person you are emailing.
1. Requesting an Informational Interview from Someone You Know
Sending an email request for an informational interview to someone you know is the easiest and, therefore, most desirable of all the requests. You may already be a friend or acquaintance with the individual, which enables you to be more casual in your request, but you should always remain professional. Be sure you are clear in the request and what exactly you are looking for from them in the informational interview.
Subject: Can We Talk About [subject of your informational interview]?
Hi [Name],
I hope all is well with you and [add something personal here: a common interest, refer to their family or job. Examples: your marathon training is going strong; you’re having fun coaching little league; you and your husband had a great vacation in Hawaii; you’re crushing your sales goals at Company].
Me? I am working to make this year a big one. I am looking to make a career change to go into [an industry, a field, a company]. I’ve learned a lot working as/at [what you do or where you work], but the time has come for me to expand my skills and responsibilities. I believe [industry/field/company] will be a great place for me and vice versa. I can utilize the experience and knowledge I have acquired while working in/at [industry/field/company] and apply them to drive results in the/at [industry/field/company] that I am really interested in and passionate about.
With your extensive knowledge of/experience in [industry/field/company], you are THE person to talk to about my upcoming journey and the reality of what it will take. I would love the opportunity to sit down and chat with you about it and get your no-holds-barred answers to some of my questions on what it will be like working in [industry/field/company], what it takes to succeed and some of the challenges I may need to overcome.
May I get some time on your calendar in the next few weeks? Knowing how busy you are, I know it’s a big ask. So while I am more than happy to take you to lunch, happy hour or coffee (yes, I’m offering to pay!), if a phone or video call works better for your schedule, that will work too!
Please let me know what day or time works best for you. I will work my schedule around yours.
Thank you so much for your assistance. You have always been a big supporter of mine and I look forward to learning from and sharing this new phase in my career with you.
I look forward to seeing you soon.
Warm Regards,
[Your name]
[Your email address]
[Your phone number]
2. Requesting an Introduction from Someone You Know
When you don’t directly know someone with the background or experience you desire to speak with for an informational interview, but you do know people with connections you’d like to meet with, start by asking your connection(s) for an introduction. Use LinkedIn to find the name of the person you would like to request an informational interview with and ask a contact for an introduction to him or her.
As always, being very specific in your request and spelling out what you are asking will always yield the highest return. You are more likely to get assistance with a specific referral request than a blanket “can you introduce me to anyone in the fashion industry or who works at Acme company?” A broad, unclear request requires more effort than most people have time for or are willing to give. Instead, you be the one to take on the heavy lifting. Do your research to find who would be the ideal person to have an informational interview and then ask your contact for a simple introduction.
Subject: Requesting an Introduction to [Name]
Hi [Name],
I hope all is well with you and [add something personal here: a common interest, refer to their family or job. Examples: your marathon training is going strong; you’re having fun coaching little league; you and your husband had a great vacation in Hawaii; you’re crushing your sales goals at Company].
Me? I am working to make this year a big one. I am looking to make a career change to go into [an industry, a field, a company]. I’ve learned a lot working as/at [what you do or where you work], but the time has come for me to expand my skills and responsibilities. I believe [industry/field/company] will be a great place for me and vice versa. I can utilize the experience and knowledge I have acquired while working in/at [industry/field/company] and apply them to drive results in the/an/a [industry/field/company] that I am really interested in and passionate about.
I understand you know [Name of Person You Want an Informational Interview with]. [Name] (Name’s LinkedIn profile URL) would be an ideal person to talk to about my upcoming journey and the reality of what it will take. I would love the opportunity to sit down and chat with [him/her] about it and get their no-holds-barred answers to some of my questions on what it will be like working in [industry/field/company].
Would you be willing to make a quick introduction for me? I would really appreciate it. You can let me know if/when the introduction was made by forwarding me the email or sending me a message. Once I know you’ve made the introduction, I will happily take it from there.
If you want to include a little about me in the introduction, I am [provide a bit about your experience, years in the industry or company, or area of specialty, but keep it brief]. You can include my LinkedIn profile [LinkedIn profile URL].
Please let me know if you have any questions or require additional information. And, if you know of someone else who would also be beneficial for me to speak to, I welcome an introduction to them as well.
Thank you in advance for your help. You have always been a big supporter of mine and it means a lot to me.
Warm Regards,
[Your name]
[Your email address]
[Your phone number]
3. Requesting an Informational Interview with Someone You Don’t Know but Have Been Introduced To
With the success of your Request for an Introduction email, you’ll have an opening to send an Informational Interview Request directly to your ideal person to interview. Include who introduced you within the Subject Line and the email/message body to remind them how you are connected to them.
Once again, be specific in your request. This is even more important since you don’t yet know the person. You don’t want them to say “no” to your request because they aren’t clear what they will be committing to.
Subject: Introduced by [Name] re: [Industry/Field/Company]
Hi [Name],
[Name] was kind enough to introduce us. Knowing you are an expert on/at [industry, field, company], I asked him/her to connect us. Thank you for being open to me reaching out.
I am looking to make a career change and go into [industry, field, or a company]. I’ve spent the last [timeframe] at/in the [company or industry] as [what you do or where you work]. I’ve learned a lot and am proud of my accomplishments, including [briefly state one big win or result to establish credibility, NOT to pitch yourself for a job], but the time has come for me to broaden my skills and apply my experience in a new direction.
I believe [industry/field/company] will be a great place for me and vice versa. I can utilize the experience and knowledge I have acquired while working in/at [industry/field/company] and apply them to drive results in an/a [industry/field/company] that I am really interested in and passionate about.
With your extensive knowledge of/experience in [industry/field/company], you are a tremendous resource to learn more about my upcoming journey and the reality of what it will take. I would love the opportunity to sit down and chat with you about it and get your no-holds-barred answers to some of my questions on what it will be like working in [industry/field/company], what it takes to succeed, and what unexpected .
May I please get 20-30 minutes on your calendar in the next few weeks? I know you are extremely busy and promise to be respectful of your time. I am more than happy to take you to lunch, happy hour or coffee. However, if a meeting in your office or phone or video call works better for your schedule, that will be great.
Please let me know what day or time works best for you. I will work my schedule around yours.
Thank you in advance for your time and assistance. I look forward to speaking with you soon.
Warm Regards,
[Your name]
[Your email address]
[Your phone number]
[Your LinkedIn Profile URL]
4. Requesting an Informational Interview with Someone You Don’t Know Without an Introduction
Without an introduction or established relationship, it becomes more challenging to get an Informational Interview. Not impossible, but definitely more challenging. In today’s world, not a lot of professionals will take meetings with people they don’t know or have any connection to.
However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it a go! Especially if, try as you might, you simply can’t find a connection to your ideal Informational Interview person. It’s worth a shot to try and land an informational interview with your ideal person.
Since you will be sending a meeting request to a stranger who has no idea who you are, what you do or your abilities (or even if you’re an ax-wielding murderer), you’ll need to provide more information about yourself than in previous messages to establish credibility. You will also need to demonstrate you’ve done your homework and determined they are uniquely qualified to provide you the information you are seeking. Show them you’ve done your research and that you believe they are the only person that can provide the information you seek. Don’t leave them thinking you did a simple search on LinkedIn, stumbled across their name and are “throwing it out there” to see if they’ll take a meeting with you.
Subject: Informational Interview Request
Dear [Mr. or Ms. Last name],
As a thought leader and strategic driver in the/at [industry/field/company], I am reaching out to request a brief meeting with you about working and succeeding in it/ there.
I’ve spent the last [timeframe] at/in the [company or industry] as [what you do or where you work]. I am proud of my accomplishments, including [briefly state one big win or result to establish credibility, NOT to pitch yourself for a job]. I am now ready to broaden my skills and apply my experience in a new direction and believe [industry/field/company] will be a great place for me and vice versa. I can utilize the experience and knowledge I have acquired while working in/at [industry/field/company] and apply them to drive results in an/a [industry/field/company] that I am really interested in and passionate about.
With your extensive knowledge of/experience in [industry/field/company], you will be a tremendous resource to learn more about desired career change and the reality of what it will take. I would appreciate the opportunity to sit down and chat with you about it and get your no-holds-barred answers to some of my questions on what it will be like working in [industry/field/company], what it takes to succeed and challenges I may need to overcome.
Would it be possible to get 20-30 minutes on your calendar in the next few weeks? I know you are extremely busy and promise to be respectful of your time. I am more than happy to take you to lunch, happy hour or coffee. However, if a meeting in your office or phone or video call works better for your schedule, that will be great. I appreciate any time you have available.
Please let me know what day or time works best for you. I will happily work my schedule around yours.
Thank you in advance for your time and assistance. I look forward to speaking with you soon.
Warm Regards,
[Your name]
[Your email address]
[Your phone number]
[Your LinkedIn Profile URL]
5. Following Up Your Requests
You may not receive a response with your first request. Professionals are busy and receive many emails and messages a day. They may fully intend to respond to you but get distracted or forget to before your email is buried in their inbox. When you send your initial request for an informational interview, don’t assume the answer is “no” if you don’t receive a response. Don’t despair and don’t give up (yet).
After a reasonable amount of time, (a week is about right for your request to still be fresh in their mind without looking like you are pestering them), send a follow-up email reminding them of your request and that you are still interested in meeting or talking with them.
Still no response? I suggest making one phone call to their office. You’ll likely get their voicemail, so leave a clear and concise message, along with your name, why you are calling and your phone number. Be sure not to speak too fast so they can properly capture your name and contact information. I often repeat my information twice to be sure they get it. If you haven’t heard anything after three requests, assume the answer is “no” and move on.
When you get a “yes” to your request, book a time that is most convenient for the person you will be interviewing. Make it as easy for them as possible.
Always send a post-informational interview thank you note to the person you met with or spoke to within 48 hours of your meeting. In addition, send a thank you to the person who made the introduction for you. Let them know you met with the person, how much you enjoyed the meeting, and how much you appreciate their assistance in making it happen. If there were any action items from the meeting, share them.
If you were not successful in securing an informational interview, still send a message to the person who introduced you letting them know you were not able to connect with the person to have a meeting, but you very much appreciate them making the introduction on your behalf.
Informational interviews are an extremely valuable tool because they offer those looking to change the career path both networking opportunities and occupational information. Whether you are working to get a job, change roles or simply exploring different professional paths, informational interviews are an effective way to learn what it is really like working in a new industry or company.