LinkedIn Guide · 7 min read · Updated 2026
LinkedIn Informational Interviews: How to Ask & What to Say
Most open roles are never posted. They get filled through conversations — someone mentions a need, someone else knows a person, and a hire happens before a job description ever goes live. Informational interviews are how you get into those conversations.
This guide covers how to find the right people on LinkedIn, how to ask for a short chat without being awkward, what to say during it, and how to follow up so one conversation becomes several. For the broader networking playbook, pair this with our guides on networking messages and connection request templates.
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Get my free score →Why informational interviews work
An informational interview is a 15–30 minute conversation where you ask someone about their career and field — not for a job. It is low pressure for both sides: they get to talk about their work, you get to learn, and a relationship forms. When a role later opens that fits you, you are already on their radar.
People rarely turn down a genuine, well-asked request to talk about themselves. The conversion rate on a good outreach message is far higher than applying to a posted job — you are competing with nobody, not with 300 applicants.
Finding the right people to interview
Use LinkedIn search to find people one or two steps ahead of where you want to be. Good targets:
- People in the role you want, at companies you admire.
- Alumni from your school who work in your target field.
- People who recently made the career move you are trying to make.
- Hiring managers or team leads in your target function.
You can use LinkedIn Boolean search to filter precisely — for example, alumni at a specific company, or people with a specific title in your city. Warm introductions through LinkedIn Groups or mutual connections have an even higher response rate.
How to ask: the request message
A good request is short, specific, and explicitly not a job ask. Name why you reached out to them, request 15–20 minutes, and offer to work around their schedule. Here are two templates you can adapt:
Template 1 — Alumni or shared background
Template 2 — Role or company interest
Quick tip
Always send the request as a connection note or a short InMail, not a long email. Keep it under 100 words. The phrase “not asking about roles” is important — it removes the pressure and makes a yes far more likely.
What to ask during the conversation
Prepare 5–6 questions and let the conversation flow naturally. Strong questions include:
- How did you get into this field, and what would you do differently?
- What does your typical week actually look like?
- What skills matter most in your role that people underestimate?
- What do you wish you had known before moving into this field?
- What is the biggest misconception people have about this work?
- Is there anyone else you think I should talk to?
The last question is the most important. It turns one conversation into a chain — each person you talk to introduces you to the next, and that is how you reach the hidden job market.
Following up after the interview
- Send a thank-you within 24 hours. Reference something specific you learned so it feels genuine, not generic.
- Connect on LinkedIn if you have not already. Add a note referencing the conversation using our connection request templates.
- Follow up on any introductions they made. Contact the people they suggested and mention who sent you.
- Check in every few months. Share an update on your search or an article relevant to your conversation. Keeping the relationship warm is the whole point.
Quick action plan
Identify three people one step ahead of your target role. Send each a short request this week using one of the templates above. Track who replies, schedule the calls, and always end each conversation by asking who else you should talk to. Aim for one to two informational interviews per week during an active search.
Informational interviews are the highest-leverage networking activity on LinkedIn — they put you inside companies before roles are posted. Pair them with a profile that makes the follow-up easy: get your free LinkedIn visibility score so that when someone you interviewed looks you up, your profile does the selling. For more, see our guide on LinkedIn comments strategy or browse the full blog.
Frequently asked questions
What is a LinkedIn informational interview?
An informational interview is a short, low-pressure conversation (usually 15–30 minutes) where you ask someone about their career path, role, and industry — not for a job. On LinkedIn, you reach out to someone in a role or company you are curious about, request a brief chat, and use it to learn and build a relationship. Many open roles are never posted, and informational interviews are the main way into that hidden job market.
How do I ask for an informational interview on LinkedIn?
Send a short, specific message that names why you reached out to them specifically, asks for 15–20 minutes, and makes clear you are not asking for a job. Example: “I came across your work at [Company] and I'm exploring a move into [field]. Would you be open to a 15-minute chat about your path? Not asking about roles — just hoping to learn from your experience.” Keep it under 100 words and offer to work around their schedule.
What questions should I ask in an informational interview?
Ask about their career path, what their role actually day-to-day involves, what skills matter most in their field, what they wish they had known earlier, and who else they would recommend you talk to. Avoid asking directly about open jobs — if they know of a fit, they will mention it. Always end by asking who else you should connect with, which turns one conversation into several.
How many informational interviews should I do?
Aim for one to two per week during an active job search. Consistency matters more than volume — a steady stream of conversations keeps your network warm and surfaces opportunities as they open. Track who you have spoken to, follow up with a thank-you, and check in every few months so the relationship does not go cold. Most people find their next role through a conversation that started this way.
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