In short, yes – having an informational interview through LinkedIn can be a great way to learn more about a company, industry or role you’re interested in pursuing. It allows you to connect directly with professionals in your desired field to get their insights and advice.
What is an informational interview?
An informational interview is an informal conversation you initiate with someone working in your field of interest to learn more about their job, company, and industry. It’s an opportunity to ask questions and get advice from someone with firsthand experience.
Informational interviews are helpful for:
- Exploring potential careers and narrowing down options
- Preparing for interviews by learning about qualifications and day-to-day responsibilities
- Gaining insights about a company’s culture and values
- Building your professional network and making connections
They allow you to gather insider information you can’t find online or in job postings. It’s about having a two-way conversation, not directly asking for a job.
Why do an informational interview through LinkedIn?
LinkedIn is a great platform for setting up informational interviews because:
- You can identify and connect with professionals in your industry.
- Sending an invite through LinkedIn is less intrusive than a cold call or email.
- You can view someone’s profile and credentials in advance.
- The platform allows you to broaden your connections.
Additionally, many professionals on LinkedIn are open to sharing their career stories and insights.
Who to reach out to on LinkedIn
Good targets for informational interviews include:
- Former colleagues and classmates – Leverage your existing connections who work in your field of interest.
- Alumni from your university – Fellow alumni are often happy to help students/graduates.
- 2nd & 3rd degree connections – You likely share a mutual connection who can introduce you.
- Professionals at companies you want to learn about – Target those with titles/roles you aspire to.
- Employees of your dream companies – Get insights into their workplace culture and values.
- Industry leaders and experts – They have a wealth of knowledge to share.
Avoid going after the CEO or top executives at first – start with more junior team members. Also be prudent about who you contact within your own company – don’t reach out to direct superiors or those involved in promotions.
How to reach out and connect
Here are some best practices for reaching out to request an informational interview over LinkedIn:
- Personalize the invite – Mention why you selected them specifically based on their background and experience.
- Explain your intent – Be upfront that you’re seeking advice, not a job directly from them.
- Highlight common ground – Note any shared connections, affiliations or interests that sparked your outreach.
- Have specific questions ready – Give them an idea of topics you’d like to discuss.
- Suggest a time and format – Give options like phone, video chat or coffee meeting.
- Keep it short – Get to the point clearly and concisely in your message.
- Proofread – Double check for any errors before sending.
You can also ask for an introduction through a mutual connection to help make the outreach more warm and increase response rates.
Questions to ask in an informational interview
During the informational interview, aim for a natural two-way conversation rather than strictly interview questions. Here are some topics you may want to cover:
- Their career path and background
- A typical day or week in their role
- Skills, qualifications and training needed for their job
- What they enjoy most and least about their work
- Their advice for someone interested in their field/role
- Workplace culture and values
- Industry trends and developments
- How they networked or landed jobs early in their career
- Resume or interview tips based on their experience
Listen closely and ask follow-up questions based on their responses. Take notes so you can remember key insights.
Following up after the informational interview
Always follow up with a thank you message expressing your appreciation for their time and advice. You could also:
- Connect with them on LinkedIn if you aren’t already
- Share any useful articles or resources they recommend
- Keep them updated on your job search progress
- Ask if they’re open to further discussions
Nurture the new connection by engaging with their content on LinkedIn. You could become valuable contacts for each other down the road.
Key takeaways
Informational interviews can provide invaluable insights as you evaluate career options and companies. LinkedIn is a great channel for finding and connecting with professionals who can share their experience and advice.
When reaching out, personalize your request, be transparent about your goals, and have thoughtful questions ready. Treat it as the start of a two-way networking relationship. Follow up to keep the conversation going over time.
With a strategic and professional approach, informational interviews through LinkedIn can help guide your career aspirations and expand your professional network.
