INTRODUCTION

In part 4, we covered multiple ways to write engaging LinkedIn connection invites. This section will cover techniques to progress the relationship beyond the LinkedIn connection and ask for an informational interview. Let’s begin!

You’ve sent your personalized LinkedIn invite. The person accepts. Now what?

Most people invite someone to connect, wait for them to accept, and leave it at that. You’re going to do things differently.

Once this person becomes a 1^st-degree connection, you can view the profiles of their connections. You can also use LinkedIn’s messaging feature to continue the conversation beyond the 300-character limit from the invitation.

Start by sending a thank you message. Most people won’t do this, which will help you stand out in the new connection’s mind. When it comes to writing thank you notes, stick to the following guidelines:

Thank You For Accepting My LinkedIn Invite

These 5 examples can be modified and adapted across various scenarios. The main focus is on moving the conversation forward and arranging an informational interview.

What’s an informational interview?

An informational interview is an informal but highly focused conversation with someone who works in a specific role you aspire to have someday or a specific company, industry, or other area of interest.

The goal of the meeting is to:

The informational interview is an effective research tool and an important job search strategy sadly missing from many university career management curriculums.

Why is this effective?

Because talking with people who work in a job, field, or at a company of interest gives you firsthand information about what it’s like to work in said job, field, or company. Additionally, you increase your confidence and decision-making about whether it’s a good fit for you and your career goals.

Informational interviews can be used by anyone at any career stage and are a great way to find out about jobs that have not yet been publicly advertised. This strategy is what my colleagues and I refer to as “the hidden job market.”

I didn’t know it at the time, but I first used the informational interviewing technique while I was in high school. My mom’s a great cook, and I loved watching the playfulness that went into the chopping, stirring, and tasting aspects.

One of her friends is an executive chef, and we arranged to have me shadow her during a local catering event. That evening, I got an idea of what goes into creating a menu and wine list and coordinating the catering team. While the experience was exciting, I also learned it would involve many long nights and event planning, the latter of which I’m highly adverse to.

The rest of this post will cover how to ask and craft a message to request an informational interview.

Step 1: Define your Learning Goal

The only expectation is to gain insight, such as:

The goal is NOT to ask for a job. Your specific learning goal will drive the types of questions you ask this person during the conversation.

Step 2: Prepare Your Elevator Pitch

Your elevator pitch is the 30-second spiel that answers the question, “tell me about yourself,” while focusing on the person and/or company’s needs and how your skills, knowledge, and experiences can help them.

• Who you are and what you do (or what your aspire to)
• Your field of interest and the position(s) you are looking for
• 2-3 core things you want the person to remember about you

Your elevator pitch is important because it is the starting point for conversations. It is meant to be flexible and adapted to different situations. In the context of informational interviewing, your pitch should focus on your career interests and how the person can help you learn more about a specific position, company, or industry.

Step 3: Ask

I recommend sending your message through email, the preferred and easiest form of communication, in case this person does not check their LinkedIn messages frequently.

First, create an engaging subject line.

To appeal to this person’s utility and curiosity, find a common interest, such as a hobby, mutual connection, university alumni, etc. By doing this, you’ve shown that you’ve put effort into your message (and took the time to learn something about them), which will more likely yield a positive response.

If someone has referred you, mention their name in the subject line and right away in the body of your email message, especially when emailing someone you don’t know.

Subject line examples:

If you don’t know this person or cannot identify a common interest between the two of you, the following subject lines can be just as effective:

Second, write your message to ask for an informational interview.

After you’ve created an attention-grabbing headline, write a short, friendly message that communicates who you are, why you are writing, and the action you want them to take (i.e. informational interview).

This next section will cover sample scripts you can adapt when asking someone for help. I recommend starting with people you know, like friends, family, and acquaintances. Both approaches, when done right, can be very effective. The blue text indicates areas you can fill in or modify based on your situation.

Emailing Someone You Know

Subject: Catching Up and Collecting Information

Hi [First Name],

I hope you’re well. [Insert additional greetings, if applicable].

I am considering a career move and exploring opportunities as a [Career Target] in [Industry X]. I have heard great things about [Company X], and I would appreciate your insights into the organizational culture and the types of opportunities and challenges you experienced in your career path. To be clear, I’ll only be asking for information, not a job.

Do you have some spare time in the next few weeks to get together for lunch or a cup of coffee (my treat!)? Does one of the proposed dates and times below work for you?

If you’re too busy to get together now, a short 15–20-minute phone call would be great too.

I look forward to catching up and hearing about what’s been happening with you. Thank you so much for your help on this, and please let me know if there’s anything I can do to help you.

Sincerely,

[Your First Name]

Emailing Someone You Know for a Referral

Subject: Need Assistance with an Introduction

Hi [First Name],

I hope all is well with you. [Insert additional greetings, if applicable].

After working as an [Role] at [Company] for [#] years, I am exploring opportunities with employers in [Industry]. I believe with your vast experience and excellent network that you can help connect me with a few people who can provide some insights about working at [Company X] or in [Industry X]. I aim to set up 2-3 informational interviews, 15-20 minutes, with these folks and learn about their career paths. Please note, I won’t be asking for a job, only for information.

I’m focusing my efforts on [Industry/Company] for opportunities as a [Target Position]. Since you know [Industry/Company] so well, I would appreciate your help in learning more by introducing me to people you know who work in [Industry] or hold [Position], such as:

Please feel free to include my LinkedIn profile in your introduction, which can be found [Your LinkedIn URL]. I have also included a short introductory blurb about my background and years of experience working as an [Position] in [Industry/Company]. I promise not to send a resume unless they ask for one.

If you have any questions, please give me a call or send me an email with any questions. Finally, let me know if there’s anything I can do anything to help you.

Sincerely,

[Your First Name]

Emailing a Stranger after a Referral

Subject: [Name of Referral] for Informational Interview

Hi [First Name],

When I told [Referral Contact] that I wanted to speak with someone with knowledge and experience in [Company, Position, Industry, etc.], [Referral Contact] offered your name and suggested I speak with you.

[Referral Contact] also indicated you might be willing to share your insights on [Topic X]. I am seriously considering a career change from [Current Position] to [Target Position] in [Industry X] or at [Company X]. Before I make that change, I would like to understand more about the field, such as its challenges and opportunities. As a recognized expert in this field, I would appreciate the opportunity to speak with you.

If you have some availability in the next few weeks, I hope we can meet for a cup of coffee or that you’ll join me for lunch (my treat!). If that’s not possible, a 15-20-minute phone call would also work.

Do any of the following dates and times work?

I am simply gathering information around [Target Position, Company, or Industry] and appreciate any time or information you’re willing to share with me.

Thank you for your time and consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you. Finally, let me know if there’s anything I can do to help you.

Sincerely,

[Your First Name]

Emailing a Stranger without a Referral

Subject: Informational Interview Request

Hi [First Name],

My name is [First and Last Name], and I am a [Current Position] in the [Industry] industry. I found your profile and was impressed with your background in [Industry]. [Insert details about how you found them]. I am contacting you to request 15-20 minutes of your time.

My goal is to learn about your experience working at [Company X] and your career path to [Position X] because I am considering a career move to [Industry X] as a [Target Position]. I believe your insight and years of experience would provide valuable insight in helping me make this career transition.

If you have some availability in the next few weeks, could we meet for a cup of coffee or lunch (my treat!). A 15-20-minute phone call also works fine. Let me emphasize that I am simply gathering information. I am not asking for a job, and won’t bring a copy of my resume unless you think it would be helpful.

Thank you in advance for your time and consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you. Let me know if I can do anything to help you.

Sincerely,

[Your Full Name]

How to Follow Up on your Request

Much of the job search and networking process involves waiting. You don’t want to come across as pushy, desperate, or overly eager and hurt your chances of setting up a meeting with this person.

It’s easy to think that you’re not hearing back from this person because they are not interested in talking to you. However, you might not hear back on your request for many reasons. Your request may have landed in their spam folder. Your request may have landed in their inbox, but they may not have opened it. Maybe they opened it but got distracted and forgot to reply.

I’ve even heard of some people who will purposely not respond because they want to see if they hear from you for a second time. While I don’t agree with this, you have no control over this person’s actions.

You’ve put a lot of time and effort into finding the right people to talk to and writing thoughtful requests. I recommend sending your first follow-up anywhere from 7-10 days after making your first request. See below.

Follow Up #1

Hi [First Name],

I hope you’re well. I reached out to you about a week ago and wanted to follow up in case my first email didn’t reach you. I’m currently exploring opportunities in [Industry] as a [Target Position], and I believe your experience and insight in [Industry, Working at Company X, etc.] will be valuable in charting a career path in [Industry].

I hope you can meet me for a cup of coffee or join me for lunch (my treat) sometime in the next few weeks. A 15-20-minute phone call will also work. Now, I’m simply gathering information, not asking for a job.

Thank you in advance for your time and consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

[Your Full Name]

[Phone/Email/LinkedIn URL]

Follow Up #2

Hi [First Name],

I wanted to reach out and follow up on my request for a 15–20-minute informational interview about your experience in [Field, Company, Job, etc.]. I know you’re busy, and I wanted to stay on your radar until you have the time to respond to my request. I hope you’ll reach out to me when you have a chance.

I hope you can meet me for a cup of coffee or join me for lunch (my treat) sometime in the next few weeks. A 15-20-minute phone call will also work. Now, I’m simply gathering information, not asking for a job.

Thank you in advance for your time and consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

[Your Full Name]

[Phone/Email/LinkedIn URL]

Final Dos and Don’ts

Hopefully, you’ll hear back from this person. Give it another 7-10 days before you send your third follow-up.

The number of times you follow up will depend on your tolerance level. I’m a big believer in the 3 strikes rule. Follow up 3 times. If you don’t hear anything, let it go and move on. Don’t take it personally. Stay focused on your goals and the things you can control.

To help maximize your response outcomes, remember the following guidelines:

DO:

CONCLUSION

Informational interviewing is a great tool for learning what it’s like to work in a particular job, industry, or a specific company. This strategy is also great if you’re making a career transition and want to broaden your perspective around different career paths. These messaging templates help take the awkwardness out of asking for help from those you do and don’t know. In the 6^th and final part of our STEM job search series, we’ll cover how to prepare for the informational interview.

Scientech Resumes is dedicated to helping science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professionals find fulfilling work through targeted, branded, and keyword-optimized resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and other career marketing documents. Schedule a FREE 20-minute discovery session to get some real-time feedback on your current resume and job search strategy or connect with me on LinkedIn. Let’s get you where you want to go, with greater results!