Informational Interview: Definition & Meaning

What Is an Informational Interview?

An informational interview is a short, intentional conversation with a professional who already works in a role, company, or industry you're curious about. Unlike a job interview, you are the one asking the questions, and there is no specific opening on the table. The goal is to learn, not to be evaluated.

In practice, an informational interview usually lasts 20 to 30 minutes, happens over coffee, phone, or video, and is driven entirely by your curiosity. You ask how someone broke into their field, what a typical day looks like, which skills actually matter, and how the hiring process really works from the inside. Because nothing is formally at stake, people are far more candid than they would be across a hiring desk.

Why Informational Interviews Matter

Most jobs are filled through relationships and referrals long before they hit a public listing, so the people you talk to today often become the people who flag opportunities tomorrow. An informational interview is one of the few networking moves that builds a genuine relationship without asking for a favor, which makes it disarmingly effective.

These conversations also sharpen your job search in concrete ways. You learn the exact language a field uses, which feeds directly into stronger resume keywords and a more targeted pitch. You discover which credentials are table stakes versus optional, what salary bands are realistic, and where the real growth is. That intelligence is hard to get from a job description alone, and it helps you decide whether a path is worth pursuing before you invest months chasing it.

How to Run an Informational Interview

Start by identifying five to ten people one or two steps ahead of you, then send a brief, specific request: who you are, why you admire their path, and a clear ask for 20 minutes. Come prepared with five to seven questions, listen far more than you talk, and always close by asking, "Is there anyone else you'd suggest I speak with?" That single question keeps the chain of introductions alive.

A strong opening message might read: "I'm transitioning from teaching into UX research and noticed your path did something similar. Would you be open to a 20-minute call so I can learn how you made that move?" Afterward, send a thank-you note within 24 hours and mention one specific thing you'll act on. If the conversation surfaced skills you lack, fold them into your development plan, and review how to list skills on a resume so the ones you do have land cleanly.

Tips / Common Mistakes

• Never ask for a job. The fastest way to kill goodwill is turning a learning chat into a covert application. Let opportunities surface on their own.
• Research before you ask. Don't waste the meeting on questions a quick search answers; go deep on judgment, trade-offs, and lived experience instead.
• Keep to the time you requested. If you asked for 20 minutes, watch the clock and offer to wrap up at 20 minutes.
• Take notes and follow up. A specific thank-you that references their advice makes you memorable and keeps the door open.
• Treat every contact as a referral source, not a one-off. The point is a relationship, not a transaction.

Related Resources

• Practice interview questions — sharpen the conversational confidence these chats require.
• Common interview questions — see the patterns insiders will reference about their own hiring.
• Career guides — research a field before you request a meeting.
• Resume keywords — turn the language you learn into resume terms that rank.
• Build your resume with Resumly — capture new insights in an ATS-ready resume.
• LinkedIn headline examples — make your profile worth replying to before you reach out.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is an informational interview different from a job interview? In an informational interview you ask the questions and there's no specific opening involved; the goal is learning, not evaluation. A job interview reverses that dynamic, with the employer assessing your fit for a defined role.

What questions should I ask in an informational interview? Focus on judgment and lived experience: how they broke into the field, what a typical day looks like, which skills matter most, and what they wish they'd known earlier. Close by asking who else they'd recommend you speak with.

How do I ask someone for an informational interview? Send a short, specific message explaining who you are, why their path interests you, and a clear request for 20 minutes. Make it easy to say yes by keeping it brief and offering to work around their schedule.

Is it okay to ask for a job during an informational interview? No. Asking for a job undermines the trust that makes these chats work. Let the relationship develop, and opportunities will surface naturally if you've made a good impression.