Informational Interview Questions: 30 to Ask, Grouped by Goal

What is an informational interview, and why does it work?

Career centers define it the same way. The University of Houston's Bauer College career center says the purpose is to obtain information, and you should ask for only 20 to 30 minutes¹. UC Davis adds that you should tell the contact you are looking for information, not a job³.

The payoff comes from the connection. A 2022 study in Science ran experiments on LinkedIn with more than 20 million people over five years.

It found that moderately weak ties, not close friends, produced the most job mobility⁴. An informational interview is a direct way to create exactly that kind of tie.

Referrals matter too. Ashby's 2025 report covered 38 million applications and found that 40% of referred candidates reached the interview stage, compared with 3% of inbound applicants⁵. Yet referrals made up only about 1% of applications.

• Do not ask for a referral in the first conversation.
• Do earn one later by following up and acting on advice.
• Let them offer. If your questions impress them, they may suggest it.

How do you ask for an informational interview?

Portland State University's career center suggests asking for 15 to 20 minutes as a general rule². It notes that a longer talk is often possible once you start.

Shared ground makes a stranger more likely to reply, so lead with it:

• Same school. "Fellow Ohio State grad" works in a subject line.
• Former employer. "We both worked at Acme" is an easy opener.
• Mutual contact. Name the person who suggested you write.

1. Pick the person Choose someone one or two steps ahead of you in the role you want. Look for shared ground first.
2. Research them Read their profile, company page and any posts. Cut every question a quick search would answer.
3. Send a short request Write under 120 words, ask for 15 to 20 minutes, and say you want advice, not a job.
4. Follow up once If there is no reply after a week, send one polite nudge. Then move on to someone else.

A sample request message

No reply after a week? Send one short nudge, then let it go.

Writing to someone you have never met? Our guide to a cold email to a hiring manager works with one change. Ask for advice, not an interview slot.

What are the best informational interview questions to ask?

Portland State recommends preparing 8 to 10 questions for a 15-minute conversation². Pick from the groups below based on what you most need to learn.

Role reality: what the job is actually like

• What does a typical day or week look like for you?
• What takes up more of your time than people expect?
• What part of the job do you enjoy most, and what do you like least?
• What surprised you most when you started?
• How is success measured in your role?
• What skills do you use every day that never show up in job descriptions?

Career path: how they got here

• How did you get started in this field?
• Was your path typical, or is there a more common route?
• Which past job or experience prepared you best for this one?
• Did your degree or certifications matter as much as you expected?
• If you were starting over today, what would you do differently?
• What does the next step usually look like from your role?

Industry: where the field is heading

• How has this field changed in the last few years?
• What trends will matter most over the next three to five years?
• Which professional associations, newsletters or events are worth following?
• What do employers in this field look for when hiring entry-level or career-change candidates?
• What is a typical starting salary range in this line of work?

Company: how their organization works

• How would you describe the culture on your team?
• What does the hiring process usually look like here?
• What makes someone stand out in their first year?
• What challenges is your team working on right now?
• How do people usually move between teams or roles here?

Advice and next contacts

• Based on my background, what gaps should I close first?
• Is there anything about my resume that would hold me back in this field?
• What would you do in my position over the next six months?
• What do you wish you had known at my stage?
• Is there anything I should have asked but did not?
• Who else would you suggest I talk to?
• May I mention your name when I contact them?
• May I keep in touch and update you on how things go?

These last informational interview questions do the most work over time. A new name keeps your search moving after the call ends.

How do you structure a 20 to 30 minute informational interview?

A clear agenda shows respect for the person's time. Bauer's guide says to keep track of the 20 to 30 minute limit yourself¹.

Keep your intro short. A tight version of your tell me about yourself answer, trimmed to 30 seconds, works well. Fill in this template:

You can rehearse it with Rezoom's AI mock interview so it sounds natural, not memorized. Then let the conversation flow. Portland State notes the best talks turn into a natural dialogue.

What to say if they hesitate or offer help

Some contacts go quiet at the "who else" question. Others jump ahead and mention a job. Have a calm line ready for both.

What should you avoid in an informational interview?

UC Davis lists asking whether they are hiring and asking easy-to-research questions as the two things to avoid³. It also suggests bringing your resume but offering it only if asked.

If the contact offers to refer you, accept gracefully and ask what they need from you. Let them make that move.

How do you follow up after an informational interview?

Bauer recommends a thank-you within 48 hours¹, while Portland State says within three days². Sooner is better. Our guide to thank-you emails after an interview has more templates you can adapt.

Keep the contact warm

Stay in touch - this is the beginning of a relationship.

Portland State University Career Center, 2026

A simple follow-up rhythm keeps the tie alive without being pushy:

• Within 48 hours. Send the thank-you note above.
• Within one week. Contact anyone they suggested, and mention their name.
• In one to three months. Send a two-line update on what you did with their advice.
• When a role opens. Your update becomes the natural moment to ask for a referral.

Keep a simple log of who you talked to, what they suggested and when to follow up. Before you apply anywhere, update your skills and summary so they match the field you are exploring.