Top 10 Questions to Rock Your Informational Interview

Let’s talk about a secret weapon for your career: informational interviews. These aren’t your typical job interviews with sweaty palms and rehearsed answers. They’re casual chats with industry pros that can unlock insider knowledge, build your network, and maybe even open doors to your dream job. If you’re not using informational interviews to level up, you’re missing out!

In this post, I’m breaking down everything you need to know to nail an informational interview, including:

• What an informational interview is and why it’s a game-changer

• How to land one (without feeling like a pest)

• How to prep like a pro

• The 10 best questions to ask to spark a killer conversation

• Bonus tips to leave a lasting impression

Ready to get the inside scoop from someone who’s already where you want to be? Let’s dive in!

What’s an Informational Interview, Anyway?

Unlike a job interview, an informational interview isn’t about landing a gig on the spot. It’s a low-pressure conversation where you pick the brain of someone in a role, company, or industry you’re curious about. Think of it as a coffee chat (virtual or IRL) with someone who’s living the career you’re eyeing.

Why bother? These chats can:

• Teach you things no job description will reveal

• Help you build connections with people who can vouch for you later

• Give you a real sense of what a job or industry is actually like

Plus, if you play your cards right, your interviewee might just say, “Hey, you’d be perfect for this role we’re hiring for!” No pressure, though—your goal is to learn and connect, not to pitch yourself (yet).

How to Score an Informational Interview

Landing one of these chats is easier than you think. Here’s a simple plan to get you in the room (or on the Zoom):

1. Find Your Person: Use LinkedIn to search for professionals in your dream role or industry. Narrow it down with specific filters like job title, company, or location. For example, searching “Product Manager Google San Francisco” will pull up folks doing exactly what you’re curious about.

2. Get Their Contact Info: Need their email? Plug their name and company domain into a tool like hunter.io to generate a corporate email address. Verify it with a free email checker like Mailtester to make sure it’s legit.

3. Do Your Homework: Before reaching out, dig into their LinkedIn, X posts, or any public content (blogs, videos, etc.). Find something specific—a project they led, a post they shared, or a career move they made—that you can reference to make your outreach personal.

4. Send a Killer Cold Email: Write a short, friendly email that mentions the specific thing you found interesting about them. Explain why it resonated and politely ask for a quick 15-20 minute chat to learn more about their work. Keep it genuine, not salesy.

How to Prep Like a Pro

Don’t let the casual vibe fool you—winging it won’t cut it. To make the most of your informational interview, prep like you’re going on a first date with your career crush. Here’s how:

• Research Your Interviewee: Revisit their LinkedIn, X, or other public profiles to understand their career path and current role.

• Study Their Company: Check out the company’s website, recent news, or X posts to get a sense of their mission, challenges, and big wins.

• Prepare Smart Questions: Write down thoughtful questions (see below!) to keep the conversation flowing and show you’ve done your homework.

The more you know, the more you’ll impress and the richer the conversation will be.

The 10 Best Questions to Ask

Great questions are the heart of an informational interview. They spark insight, show you’re engaged, and make the conversation memorable. Here are the top 10 questions to ask, plus why they work:

1. Can you walk me through your career journey to your current role? Sets the stage by giving context and a natural flow to the conversation.

2. What does a typical day in your role look like? Paints a vivid picture of their daily responsibilities and work vibe.

3. What are the toughest parts of your job? Uncovers the real challenges, helping you understand the role’s demands.

4. What’s the most rewarding part of your work? Balances the challenges with the fun, motivating stuff that keeps them going.

5. What’s the biggest challenge you or your team is facing right now? Dives into current issues, showing you’re curious about their world.

6. Are there any upcoming projects you’re excited about? Shifts to a positive, forward-looking topic that sparks enthusiasm.

7. What skills are critical for success in your role? Helps you identify what to learn or highlight if you want a similar job.

8. What advice would you give someone starting out in this field? Offers actionable tips you can apply to your own career path.

9. Any must-read publications or resources for this industry? Points you to ways to keep learning and stay in the loop.

10. Personalized Questions (Ask 3+): Craft at least three questions tailored to their role, company, or recent work based on your research. Shows you’ve done your homework and makes the chat feel unique.

Bonus Tips to Nail It

Want to leave your interviewee thinking, “Wow, that was a great chat”? Try these:

• Dress Smart: Go business casual—no t-shirts, but you don’t need a full suit either.

• Bring the Essentials: Have a notebook, pen, and your questions ready (digital or physical).

• Start Strong: Kick off with a confident intro—say who you are, why you’re there, and thank them for their time.

• Respect Their Schedule: Keep it to 20-30 minutes unless they want to go longer.

Don’t Skip the Follow-Up

Your interviewee took time out of their busy day to chat with you—that’s huge! Show your appreciation with a quick thank-you email within 24 hours. Mention something specific from the conversation, like a tip they shared or a project they mentioned, to keep the connection warm. This isn’t just polite—it’s a chance to build a relationship that could lead to referrals or mentorship down the line.

Why Informational Interviews Are Worth It

Informational interviews are like planting seeds for your career. They give you insider knowledge, grow your network, and might just lead to unexpected opportunities. With the right prep and questions, you’ll walk away smarter, more connected, and ready to take on your next career move.