Informational Interview: How to Ask and What to Say in 2026

You have found someone doing the job you might want. Their career looks interesting, their experience seems relevant, and their contact information is right there. Then you open a blank message and freeze.

How do you ask for their time without sounding pushy? What if you have no experience? And what are you supposed to say once they agree?

An informational interview gives you a way to explore a career before committing to a degree, training program, or job search strategy. You are not asking someone to hire you. You are asking them to help you understand work they know firsthand.

Imagine Maya, a fictional final-year student considering instructional design. She enjoys explaining ideas but assumes the job mostly involves creating attractive slides. One conversation with a working designer reveals something different: interviews with subject experts, accessibility checks, feedback cycles, and learning assessments. That conversation does not hand Maya a job. It gives her a better next step.

That is the goal here: not networking for its own sake, but making better decisions. This guide covers how to ask for an informational interview, what to say during it, and how to turn a short conversation into useful action in 2026.

1. Understand What an Informational Interview Can Do

An informational interview is a planned conversation with someone who can explain a role, industry, organization, or career path. A useful starting request is 15 to 20 minutes, by phone, video, or another format that suits both people.

Unlike a job interview, there is usually no vacancy being discussed and no formal assessment of your suitability. You set the learning agenda, ask questions, and respect the agreed time.

Informational interview vs. job interview

In a job interview, the central question is, Are you the right person for this position? In an informational interview, it is, What do I need to understand before pursuing this kind of work?

That distinction changes your approach. You do not need a polished sales pitch or a list of impressive achievements. You do need a clear reason for reaching out and evidence that you have done some preparation.

• Students can compare majors, internships, and first-job options.
• Recent graduates can learn how entry-level work differs from classroom assignments.
• Career changers can identify transferable skills and gaps worth addressing.
• Working professionals can explore adjacent roles without immediately enrolling in another qualification.

The benefits—and the limits

The biggest benefit is context. A job description might list stakeholder management; a practitioner can explain that it means negotiating priorities with three departments on a Tuesday afternoon.

The limits matter, too. One person's experience may reflect a particular employer, location, or career stage. Their advice may be thoughtful but outdated for beginners. A generous conversation also does not guarantee a referral, internship, or offer.

Treat each conversation as one source of evidence, not a verdict on your future. Compare what you hear with current job postings, official qualification requirements, and other professionals' experiences.

2. Choose People Who Can Answer Your Real Questions

Before searching for contacts, finish this sentence: After this conversation, I want to understand...

Perhaps you want to know whether a master's degree is necessary. Perhaps you need to understand the daily workload, the role of AI tools, or whether a portfolio can demonstrate skills that your degree does not.

A specific learning goal helps you choose a useful person. Otherwise, it is easy to spend your energy contacting impressive people who cannot answer the questions you actually have.

Look for relevance before seniority

A department director may explain strategy well, while someone hired last year may know much more about current entry-level applications. Neither perspective is automatically better. Match the person to the question.

• For entering a field: contact someone who made a similar transition recently.
• For understanding everyday work: choose someone currently performing the role.
• For evaluating training: speak with graduates who used the qualification in practice.
• For understanding hiring expectations: seek a manager or recruiter familiar with that specific role.

Useful places to start include alumni networks, university career services, professional associations, conference speaker lists, and LinkedIn. Instructors, former colleagues, and community organizations may also suggest contacts.

You do not need a prestigious university connection. A shared interest, local professional group, or thoughtful response to someone's public work can provide a legitimate starting point.

Build a small, varied contact list

Start with five people rather than sending the same message to fifty. Note their role, why their experience matters, where you found them, and the question you hope they can answer.

Include different settings if possible. For example, educational technology work at a school district may differ from similar work at a software company. Speaking only to people at one organization can make its practices look like universal rules.

Use public professional channels or contact details shared for networking. Avoid personal phone numbers or private accounts that someone has not offered for professional outreach.

3. Ask for an Informational Interview Without the Awkwardness

A good request makes four things clear: who you are, why you chose this person, what you hope to learn, and how much time you are requesting. It should also make declining easy.

Specificity is more persuasive than flattery. Saying that you read someone's article about adult learning gives them context. Calling them an inspiring visionary usually does not.

An email template for students and recent graduates

Subject: Student question about your instructional design career

Hi Jordan,

I'm a final-year education student exploring instructional design. I found your profile through our university's alumni network and noticed that you moved from classroom teaching into corporate learning.

Would you be open to a 20-minute phone or video conversation sometime in the next two weeks? I'd love to understand what your day-to-day work involves and which skills helped most during your transition.

I'm looking for career insight rather than asking about a job opening. I'm happy to work around your schedule, and I understand if you aren't available.

Thank you,Maya

A short LinkedIn message

Hi Jordan, I'm exploring instructional design after studying education. Your post about accessible learning materials caught my attention. Would you be open to a 15-minute conversation about how you entered the field? No problem if your schedule is full.

If the platform limits your initial message, use the connection request to introduce your reason for connecting. Send the fuller invitation after acceptance rather than squeezing an entire biography into the first note.

A template for career changers

Hi Priya, I currently work in customer support and am exploring learning and development. I noticed you made a similar transition. Would you be willing to share your perspective in a 20-minute call, particularly on transferable skills and useful portfolio projects? I'm seeking advice, not asking you to review an application. I can adjust to your availability.

What to avoid in the first message

• Vague requests: replace 'Can I pick your brain?' with a clear topic.
• Large commitments: do not lead with a request for ongoing mentorship.
• Unsolicited homework: avoid attaching a long résumé and asking for detailed feedback.
• False familiarity: do not imply a mutual contact endorsed you unless they did.
• Pressure: your application deadline does not create an obligation for a stranger.

If there is no response, send one brief follow-up after roughly a week: Hi Jordan, I'm following up on my note about a short career conversation. I'd still value your perspective if you have time, but I understand if now isn't convenient. Thank you for considering it.

After that, move on unless they have invited another check-in. Silence may mean a busy inbox, not a judgment about you.

4. Prepare Questions That Go Beyond a Google Search

Once someone agrees, confirm the date, time zone, format, and expected length. If you send a calendar invitation, include the agreed topic and a working meeting link. Ask before scheduling rather than dropping an unexpected event onto their calendar.

You can share two or three topics in advance so they know what to expect. You do not need to send a questionnaire or ask them to prepare a presentation.

Do enough research to ask better questions

Read their professional biography, look at their organization's work, and review a few current job descriptions. The point is not to become an expert overnight. It is to avoid using limited conversation time on facts that are easy to find.

Then prepare five core questions, with a few optional follow-ups. You probably will not get through a long list in 20 minutes, and racing through questions can prevent useful answers from developing.

Informational interview questions worth asking

• Daily work: 'What took up most of your time last week?'
• Unexpected realities: 'What surprised you about this role after you started?'
• Skills: 'Which skill do beginners underestimate, and where does it show up in your work?'
• Education: 'Which qualifications are required, and which are helpful but optional?'
• Evidence of ability: 'What would a convincing beginner portfolio or work sample demonstrate?'
• Entry routes: 'If you were entering this field now, what would you investigate first?'
• Trade-offs: 'What parts of the job are rewarding, and what parts are difficult to sustain?'
• Next steps: 'What small project could help me test whether I enjoy this work?'

Ask about AI in 2026 without making assumptions

AI use varies by employer and role. Rather than assuming everyone uses the same tools, ask: Which tasks, if any, have changed because of AI tools, and what must a junior employee still be able to do independently?

A useful follow-up is: How do people check accuracy, protect confidential information, and evaluate the quality of AI-assisted work here? This brings the conversation back to judgment and workplace expectations, not just software names.

You can use an AI writing tool to organize your own questions beforehand, but verify any claims it makes about the person or organization. Never invent a shared interest or pretend you read something you have not read.

Handle sensitive topics respectfully

Compensation is a legitimate career consideration. Ask about typical ranges or trustworthy sources rather than demanding someone's personal salary: Where would you look for realistic entry-level pay ranges in this location?

Likewise, ask about general challenges without requesting confidential client details, internal hiring documents, or gossip about colleagues. Give the person room to decline any question.

5. Know What to Say During the Conversation

The call begins. You exchange greetings. Now what?

A simple structure keeps you grounded: thank them, explain your goal, ask and listen, summarize, then close on time. You do not need to perform confidence. You need to be present and curious.

Open with a short introduction

Thank you for making time for me. I'm finishing an education degree and exploring instructional design. I've looked at some entry-level roles, but I'd like a clearer picture of the daily work and how to build relevant experience. I have a few questions, and I'll keep us to the 20 minutes we agreed.

That is enough. Your introduction should orient the other person, not recount your entire academic history. If you are changing careers, add one sentence about your current work and the connection you are exploring.

Use a flexible 20-minute agenda

• Minutes 0–2: introductions and your learning goal.
• Minutes 2–14: three or four priority questions, with follow-ups.
• Minutes 14–18: practical next steps and clarification.
• Minutes 18–20: summarize, thank them, and close.

This is a guide, not a stopwatch exercise. If the first answer reveals something important, follow it. A conversation that answers three questions deeply can be more useful than one that skims twelve.

Follow the detail, not just your script

Suppose Maya's contact says, 'The difficult part isn't building the course. It's finding out whether training is actually the solution.'

Maya could jump to her next prepared question. Instead, she asks: Could you give me a nonconfidential example of how you work that out?

Now she learns about diagnosing performance problems—a part of the profession she had not considered. This is where informational interviews become especially valuable: they reveal questions you did not know to ask.

Other useful follow-ups include 'What did that look like in practice?', 'Does that vary across employers?', and 'What would someone new to the field do first?'

Take notes without disappearing into them

Ask, Is it okay if I take a few notes? Capture key phrases and actions rather than trying to produce a transcript. Maintain attention and leave room for pauses.

Do not record, transcribe, or add an AI meeting assistant without explicit permission. Explain what a tool would capture and how the information would be used, and follow applicable rules and organizational policies. Simple handwritten notes are often enough.

Close without turning the conversation into a job request

As the agreed end approaches, say: We're nearly at time, and I want to respect your schedule. My biggest takeaway is that I should practice needs analysis before investing in another software course. Is that a fair summary?

Then ask one final question, such as 'Is there a resource or type of professional you suggest I learn from next?' If they mention a person, ask permission before using their name in an introduction.

If they offer to review your résumé or discuss an opening, you can accept. Just do not make an undisclosed job pitch the price of their generosity.

6. Follow Up in a Way That Shows You Listened

A useful thank-you message does three things: acknowledges their time, names a specific insight, and states what you plan to do with it. Send it within a day or two while the conversation is fresh.

A thank-you email you can adapt

Subject: Thank you for the instructional design conversation

Hi Jordan,

Thank you for speaking with me today. Your explanation of how you identify learning needs helped me understand the role beyond course-building tools.

I'm going to try the small project you suggested: interviewing a volunteer coordinator and outlining a short onboarding resource. I'll focus on the audience's needs before choosing a format.

I appreciate your time and practical advice. Best wishes, Maya

Notice what is missing: another list of questions, a surprise résumé attachment, and an immediate request for an introduction. Gratitude should not create a new assignment.

Turn notes into a decision record

Right after the conversation, separate your notes into three categories:

• What I heard: specific examples and advice from this person.
• What I infer: what those examples might mean for my career choice.
• What I will test: a concrete action or question to investigate next.

This separation prevents an easy mistake: turning 'My team values portfolios' into 'Every employer requires the same portfolio.'

Choose one manageable experiment. That might mean comparing five job postings, speaking with a second practitioner, completing a small project, or checking a credential requirement with an official licensing body.

Keep the connection warm without forcing it

If appropriate, ask whether they would welcome a short update after you try their suggestion. A later message can be simple: I completed the onboarding outline you suggested. Testing it with two volunteers showed me how much I enjoy revising explanations based on feedback. Thank you for pointing me in that direction.

You do not need to send monthly messages or manufacture reasons to stay visible. A genuine update is more meaningful than a rigid networking routine.

7. Make Your First Conversation a Starting Point

You may still be thinking, Why would someone want to talk to me?

Some people will not have time. Others enjoy helping newcomers, reflecting on their work, or supporting people from their community. You do not have to know which category someone falls into before asking. You only need to offer a clear, respectful choice.

If a live call is difficult because of access needs, time zones, or caring responsibilities, suggest an alternative: If a call isn't convenient, would you be comfortable answering two questions by email? Written conversations can still provide useful insight.

A practical plan for the next seven days

• Day 1: write one career question you want to investigate.
• Day 2: identify five relevant people with varied perspectives.
• Day 3: send two short, personalized invitations.
• Day 4: review current roles and prepare five questions.
• Day 5: practice your opening aloud until it sounds natural.
• Days 6–7: organize any replies, confirm arrangements, and continue researching while you wait.

The goal is not to secure a conversation within a week at any cost. It is to replace vague career anxiety with a repeatable learning process.

For Maya, the most valuable result was not a new contact in her address book. It was discovering that she needed to test whether she enjoyed investigating learning problems, not just designing presentations. That insight could help her choose a course, build a more relevant project, or decide on a different path.

A successful informational interview does not always make you more excited about a career. Sometimes it helps you rule one out before spending months or money on it. That is progress, too.

You do not need to have your future figured out before reaching out. Start with one honest question, one thoughtful message, and a willingness to listen. The next step in your education may not be another course. It may be a conversation that helps you choose the right one.