There's a networking tool that most job seekers know about but almost never actually use.
It's the informational interview. And when done well, it's one of the lowest-pressure, highest-value things you can do for your career.
Today, FindYourJobNow.com is walking you through exactly how to request one, what to ask once you're in it, and how to follow up afterward without it feeling awkward or transactional.
An informational interview is simply a conversation where you talk to someone working in a field, company, or role you're curious about, purely to learn from their experience. It's not a job interview. It's not a pitch. It's a genuine, low-stakes conversation, and that's exactly what makes it so effective for building the kind of warm connections that research shows convert far better than cold outreach.
The key to a good ask is making it clear from the very first message that you are not asking for a job. Ambiguity here is what makes people hesitant to respond, because they worry they're about to be put on the spot to refer you for a role or make an awkward decision. Remove that fear entirely by being explicit. A message like this works well: "Hi [Name], I came across your background in [field/role] and I'm exploring a similar path. I'd love to learn about your experience, not looking for a job, just genuinely curious about your journey. Would you have 15 minutes for a quick call sometime in the next couple of weeks?"
Notice how short, specific, and low-pressure that is. You've named exactly what you want, made clear you're not asking for anything more, and given them an easy time frame to work with. This dramatically increases response rates compared to a vague message that leaves someone wondering what you actually want from them.
Once you're in the conversation, come prepared with genuine, thoughtful questions rather than a generic list. Good questions include: How did you get into this field or role? What does a typical week actually look like for you? What skills do you wish you'd developed earlier? What's something about this work that surprised you? What would you look for if you were hiring for a role like this today? These kinds of questions show real curiosity and often surface information you can't find anywhere else, including insights that will directly help you in future interviews.
Respect their time above everything else. If you asked for 15 minutes, honor that unless they explicitly offer to keep talking. Don't turn the conversation into an unplanned pitch for yourself, and never ask directly for a job or a referral during the call itself, even if the conversation goes really well. Let that possibility emerge naturally over time, if it emerges at all.
Afterward, always send a genuine, specific thank-you message referencing something particular from the conversation. This is also the moment to build the relationship further, not close it out. You might follow up weeks or months later sharing an article relevant to something they mentioned, or simply checking in to see how things are going. This is exactly the kind of ongoing, low-pressure engagement that turns a single conversation into a real, strong professional relationship over time.
Ready to start requesting informational interviews? Here's your action plan: Identify three people whose career path or role genuinely interests you. Send each of them a short, specific, low-pressure request explicitly stating you're not looking for a job. Prepare thoughtful questions in advance. Follow up with a genuine, specific thank-you afterward and stay in touch over time.
Head over to our homepage (or click the home button above) and use our advanced job search toolbar. Type in the kind of job you're looking for and where you want to work… then click "view jobs."
Informational interviews are one of the most underused tools in a modern job search, precisely because they're low-pressure and genuinely valuable for building warm connections that convert far better than cold outreach. Be explicit that you're not asking for a job, come prepared with thoughtful questions, respect their time, and follow up meaningfully. Done right, informational interviews build the exact kind of relationships that pay off down the road.